Our hearts are heavy here at the Big Ring Ministries World Headquarters.  Sheldon Brown was riding in The Big Ring before most of us had even graduated from Big Wheels to training wheels.  While many will point to the Eddy’s, Miguel’s and Lance’s as heros of the velo world I would argue that the Sheldon Browns of the world are the real hero’s.  He rode for the love of riding and he inspired countless others to follow his path.  He did not ride for money or glory, he rode to ride.  That in living in The Big Ring.  How many Tours would Lance have done for free?

Brother Fredette shared this with me today:

He should get honorary Saint status…..no question.

I’ve been following him since the internet started over 15 years ago…which is when he started on the internet.

And when plagued with a problem on my FSR brake setup, some 8 years ago, not only did he respond, he sent me a part I needed without even being asked.

I’ve never had an LBS give me that kind of service and the man didn’t even know what I looked like.

He embodied “passion for cycling”.

The Sheldon Brown website has been on Al Gore’s internet since 1995.  It is a gold mine of information.  Need to rebuild a freewheel, service an English 3 speed hub?  Brother Brown has got you covered.  Check out his bicycle collection. I don’t think he ever saw a bike he didn’t like.

Brothers and Sisters raise your glasses of Chimay  high for our departed brother.  He was fond of Haiku’s about his dog so I leave you with this:

Fixed gear rider
He don’t need no stinking gears
Big Ring in the sky

Update:

To be clear there is no honorary sainthood in TCOTBR.  Verily it shall be said that Brother Sheldon Brown will be known from this day froward for all eternity as Saint Brown of the Fixed Gear.  So it is written.

Well Brothers and Sisters The Rev has not been this excited since he met Eddy himself at Interbike a few years back. The “What Does The Big Ring Mean To You?” testimony over on the forum is very inspirational, so much so that I have decided to reward the devoted by sending an authentic Church Of The Big Ring shirt to every one who testified. While all entires were divinely inspired, Brother GeWilli stood out with his entry:

What is the big ring to me?

The big ring is the 50t single on the front of the commuter bike that I have my daughter in the trailer hooked up to. The big ring is knowing no matter the grade, all i have is the 50-25 to haul me and the trailer up. Knowing there is no bailing out.
The big ring is having a 55t on the plain old road bike. Finding use for that extra two teeth when bombing down a hill using my 200 pounds to catch the little tiny diablo climbers who got a gap going up the hill and being able to gap them into purgatory until the next 15% grade.
The big ring is a 49 on the cross bike, there for the flats, to rest behind those not of the faith, madly spinning in their small single ring.
The big ring is having the Faith and Strength to climb that hill without showing a sign of weakness by flicking the front der so you drop the chain into the devil’s ring.
The strength I find in the big ring is more energizing than a power meter, more compelling than a Polar training graph, and far more rewarding than a set of FMB custom tubulars.
I feel like a sinner if my day is without both a Matins and an Evensong service at the church of the big ring. These services with the Big Ring give me the strength to carry on through each day. And I rejoice and praise the days when I can add the full Racing Mass.

Thank you TCOTBR, Praise be to the Big Ring!

Thank you Brother GeWilli. You are of The Big Ring.

Let us Pray:

The Big Ring is my shepard,
I shall not want;
He makes me fly down alpine canyons.
He leads me solo to the final K;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of fitness
for His names sake.

Though I ride throught the valley
of the doper,
I fear no needle:
For I am clean:
Your VO2 and Your wattage, they comfort me.

Surely podiums and jerseys shall follow me
all the miles of my ride;
and I shall ride in the echelon of
The Big Ring forever.

Psalm 55