It's with a profound feeling of sadness that I read an email someone sent to
me today, letting me know about a memorial ride for Tom Cutherbertson. Tom's
"Anybody's Bike Book" was influential in getting me interested in the
mechanical aspects of bicycles, teaching a complete newbie (at the time I
was 13) how to do such arcane things as remove cotter pins without damaging
the bottom bracket, install headsets and work on freewheels.
If "Anybody's Bike Book" hadn't been around, I doubt I would have become so
interested in working on bicycles, and quite possibly would have gone in an
entirely different direction than I did. His accessible writing style, great
illustrations and humor were entirely compatible with my way of thinking,
and may have even influenced my writing style. He certainly had something to
do with turning me into the David Stoller (Breaking Away) prototype.
A VeloNews story may be found here-
http://www.velonews.com/pr/prn/articles/9078.0.html.
There will be a 35 mile memorial ride (from Santa Cruz) on Sunday, November
13th; details here- http://www.sprocketsbikes.com/special.html.
(And no, Tom didn't die in a bike accident. Seems like that has to be said,
since there have been so many others who have lately.)
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com