It's a big old goofy world

Sheldon Brown died. It's nearly impossible to read a bike themed blog today without finding this out. He was a goofy guy who worked in a bike shop on the east coast, and yet I would bet that anybody who has ever turned a wrench on their own bike has consulted his site at least once. I did frequently, most recently when I decided to build my first wheel. His instructions were clear and got me through the process with no fuss and no muss. I found myself quite saddened today to learn he was gone, even though I'd never met him or sent him an email. But all the same, he made my bicycling life richer.

Of course, that's not the only story of the day. Another blogger Michale proposed to his girlfriend Sarah and she said yes! More people I don't know, but at the same time I was cheered by their excitement and the thought of their future together. And over the weekend another cyclist prepared to welcome another child into the world. While I was riding the train home, I saw a woman riding her bike with her 7-8 year old son pedaling behind on a tag-along bike. He was wearing a nice winter shell and a balaclava and his helmet had some sort of monster head affixed to it. Call it personal style, or panache, or whatever you choose. Sheldon would have approved.

As I continued to ride the train I realized I'd pretty much seen the gamut of life through the wheel of a bike today. The celebration of the beginning of a new life. A young child making his way in the world, learning there is more to life than what lies in his backyard. A couple pledging to spend their lives together. And the death of a cycling legend. The wheel in the sky keeps on turning.