Thanks Sheldon Brown...

[Erik_A]

I was reading this article: http://hbr.org/2013/04/in-the-company-of-givers-and-takers/ which questions whether you are a "Giver" or a "Taker" at work. I immediately though of the late, GREAT Sheldon Brown. This guy was the ultimate GIVER, and as a result helped others to be more effective.

His website is still a constant reference for me: http://sheldonbrown.com/

And he happens to have over 2000 posts here: http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=7386281
(& started threads: http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=7386539 )

So thanks Sheldon, we never met, but I appreciate you still.

[Louis]

+1

His work was (is) a great contribution to cycling.

[oliver1850]

I agree, he organized and made easily accessible a lot of information. I don't know anything about how he made his living, but I can't imagine finding the time to do all that he did.

Another that's in the same category is J Fischer, of VeloBase. There's a lot of things around here that I should make the effort to photograph and post, but I never seem to find the time. Kudos to those who do.

As to givers and takers, my grandpa always said "leave your campsite in a little better shape than when you arrived". Works for a lot of things besides campsites.

[cachagua]

Can we all pitch in and erect a 25-foot-tall bronze Sheldon? Far lesser figures (in terms of the contribution they've made to the general good) have gotten statues. . .

[Exonerv]

Gotta agree...his stuff has been invaluable in helping me get a grasp on just a few of the variables to this point.

Quite the resource...that just keeps on giving.

[ntb1001]

It's funny, I never realized the resource that he was/is until he passed away. I guess when he passed there was a lot posted about him and it got me looking at the website. I've since used that site countless times...it really is a great resource.

[alancw3]

i actually had the opportunity to talk to sheldon a couple of times over the phone with oddball technical questions when i had a problem. how gracious and helpful he was in helping me solve the problems. definitely a giver.

i actually wrote to the bicycle hall of fame shortly after his death and suggested that he be inducted. never heard back from them. my guess is that they could not relate to what he has done for cycling at the everyday man level. there members are mostly former cycling champions. i just thought it would have been fitting based on how much he has contributed to cycling and a nice justure to his family.

[saf-t]

Harris (the shop he worked in) was < 5 minutes from where my office used to be- I had the opportunity to chat with him on a number of occasions. A really nice guy, as well as being a walking (pedaling?) encyclopedia.

[Erik_A]

I remember being very surprised when I heard that Sheldon died. It had seemed to me that just up to that point he was active on the forums and describing his own riding and bike building. I think he will always be a mythical figure in my mind (we never met in person). Especially when I calculate gear ratios!