July 2022
OK, so 12 years have passed. Maybe it’s time for an update.
First of all, I guess that congratulations (to me) are in order. I got my first bike shop job in 1972, so 2022 marks 50 years of being in the bicycle business in some capacity. That’s a long time, but I have to admit that I’m just hanging by a thread to being able to say that I’m still in the bike biz. Most of my efforts for the last 15 years have been directed towards teaching machine shop at Webb Institute. Webb is a fantastic place. I’m lucky to be there, and proud of the association, but my participation in the bicycle industry has been limited to making a frame now and then.
Our daughters are now married and living in Brooklyn. They, and their husbands, are healthy and happy. Both of our son in laws are serious bike riders, and they both have Jamie Swan custom frames. Mark is a track racer and he has been the New Your State track champion many times. Tommy is into randonneuring. He’s trying to qualify for Paris-Brest-Paris in 2023. He has just completed a Super Randonneur brevet series (200, 300, 400, and 600 kilometer events), so he’s well on his way.
Of course Covid has been a huge drag, but luckily nobody in our immediate sphere has lost their life to it. On the subject of luck and loosing one’s life, I probably should mention that I am one of the small group of people who have survived cancer of the pancreas. Like most survivors, my cancer was caught early. I had surgery in June of 2014, and spent the subsequent six months receiving weekly chemo infusions. After being in remission for five years I was declared cancer free. I don’t know if I believe in miracles, but there’s no doubt that I was very lucky.
I’m moving a little more slowly these days, but I still ride and I’m still involved in the bike world. I get asked to give a talk now and then, and I enjoy doing them. My parents were both teachers. Working in academia has made me realize that a love of learning and sharing knowledge are hardwired into me, so I guess that this is what I’m supposed to be doing. My only regret is that I work at “boat school” and not “bike school”, but I can’t complain.