A snip from a tandem website. Very sad, horrible accident. I did not
know tom just thought that some people on this group may want to know.
Chris
Tom Bruni was killed in a bike/car accident Saturday afternoon. New
Story follows after my intro and thoughts as tears too
powerful to hold fall before me.
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For those who may not have known Tom, hew was about as kind as any
man could be. He had a home-based but highly popular
machine shop, frame and bike shop in his Baltimore home, and a very
dedicated following of customers in the region. His following
approached that of a cult.
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Among the things that set Tom apart from any other dealer and many
fellow men was his generosity. Not just a volunteer at
charitable events, not just his ability and willingness to aid other =
dealers
who knew far less, but his ability to jump into any
situation and make it better.
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A former professional jeweler and industrial consultant, Bruni's
love and passion for bicycles and those that love them,
along with encouragement from those who knew Tom could truly 'build the
better bike' drove him to start expanding his craft of
building his own bikes to help others get more out of their lives.
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While many of us 'mainstream' dealers bought and sold goods for our
mainstay, there are many who just didn't have the time
nor the desire to dela with the small things that really count, those =
tiny
things that don't generate profits.=20
Tom liked those challenges. It could be midnight or 7 AM and if a
customer or dealer was stuck or in trouble, Tom might just
have to roll out of bed, go to the shop, and help someone out.
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Tom's artistry was unprecedented in the area, and his innovations
were numerous. He was never afraid to try new things or
re-invent old ideas to make them beter.
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An unparalleled wealth of knowledge, Bruni was frequently called
upon by fellow dealers and customers of all shops for
answers to plaguing issues.
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His innovations included one of the first and most interesting
leading link front fork uspension systems, a special system
to take bikes apart for travel, a swing arm that pivited around the =
bottom
bracket, and others too numerous to mention..=20
Among his noted sp[ecialties and passions were tandem bikes, triplet
bikes (for three people)Special needs, women, custom
fits, and travel bikes.=20
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Tom Bruni was an avid participant in the Baltimore Kinetic sculpture
races and shows, an extremely time cunsuming devition
that serves to help bring the sport of bicycling and the art and science =
of
bicycle engineering to the attention of the public.
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Tom was an avid bike tourist that generously donated his time and
effort to organize rides for local, regional, and national
clubs, and to host special events to make the world a better place for
cyclist and non-cyclist alike.=20
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Tom and wife Theresa Spadaro were advocates for a healthier and more
sustainable planet and had an uncanny ability to keep
people awake in the current events and area of national, local, and =
global
politics.
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Tom was local bicycle advocate in a city that has had its challenges
for our sport.
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The only family member i know is Tom's dear wife Theresa Spedaro, a
cyclist, advocate, supportive, dedicated, and loving
wife. Theresa's an accomlplished graphic Artist whose work appears on =
the
bodies of thousands of cyclists who wear the T shirts,
Jerseys, and patches she has designed for many years. Her artwork and
illustrations have appeared in cycling publications and she is
a dedicated cycling advocate and rider.
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I'll miss Tom and I'm sure we will be getting together to remember
him now and forever more.
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Ride On, Tom, we'll miss you.
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Larry Black
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following is an official News Story some of you might have already
received
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Baltimore Man Is Killed in Bicycle Crash
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By Martin Weil and Clarence Williams
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, July 10, 2005; Page C05
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A Baltimore man who built his own brand of bicycles was killed
yesterday in Carroll County while riding one of them,
Maryland State Police said.
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Thomas Bruni, 54, who operated Bruni Bicycles in Baltimore, ran a
stop sign at an intersection near Westminster and crashed
his bicycle into the side of a van, said state police Trooper Kenneth =
Cain.
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At 2:54 p.m., Bruni was riding south on Halter Road, approaching
Stone Road, Cain said. A Pontiac minivan was going through
the intersection on Stone Road as Bruni approached, he said.
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Cain said Bruni failed to stop and ran into the side of the van. His
speed was not known, but Cain said some of the van's
windows were shattered.
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Five of the six occupants, ranging in age from 3 to 80 years old,
were taken to a hospital for treatment of scratches and
abrasions, Cain said.
=09
Cain said Bruni had been touring the area with his wife and a
friend. He said the others were not close enough to see the
crash.
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Bruni designed, built and sold custom bicycles. His Web site said
his products included tandems, sport-touring models and
suspension tandems. Articles linked to his site called him a former ship
welder whose "suspension bicycles" rode unusually smoothly,
making bad pavement and even train tracks "almost cease to exist."
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--=20
Alice S. Filemyr <[email hidden]>
Rockville, MD