It is time to call it a day. This weekend I made an extremely tough decision, to quit writing here on this blog.
For the simple reason I have run out of things to write about, or rather worthwhile stuff that people want to read.
People like the tech stuff, and history. The tech stuff, I have just about covered it all. The beauty of the bicycle is its simplicity, you push one pedal down and the other one comes up.
How much technical stuff can there be, I have used up all I have. I have not kept up with the new stuff, I have no reason to, I am no longer in the business,
As for history, "You can't make that stuff up.” Some I write from memory, but as with the tech stuff, I have covered most of my personal experiences already.
I have written about the riders who were the heroes of my youth, others who were not my heroes I do not care to rehash stuff from the Internet that anyone can find.
All I am left with is commenting on current events. However, I am not a political animal, and I hate the fact that people use the bicycle as a political tool. These days, I just want to ride my bike, and I like to think I write for people who want to do the same.
I am not out to save the planet, or ban automobiles. In my real life, I have cut back to one small car, but I did that for economic reasons, not political. A person can survive without a car if they wish, but that is not my wish. I enjoy the convenience of owning my own car.
Why is it, the extreme left wing, eco-nuts think they own the exclusive right to the bicycle? And why is it, if you ride a bicycle everyone thinks you are an extreme left wing, eco-nut?
Looking back on my most recent posts, I am not happy with them; it is not work I can say I am proud of. Not that I didn’t make the same effort to write it, as with any other post, or choose words any less carefully. The subject matter is negative, and I am only using it because that is all I have.
A comment on my last post was a reality check for me. It read:
Interesting comment - about one possibly insignificant, irritated old man. From where I am, a long way away, it looks a lot like over-reaction though - merely one grumpy old man complaining about another.
The last way I want to be remembered, is as a grumpy old man. This is not the first time this comment has been made. Yes I get angry, anger is passion, and without passion in life, there is no life. You may as well give up and die.
My only desire when I started this was to share the knowledge and memories I have gathered over the years. I have done that, to keep going is to do so just for the sake of keeping going.
I have been writing here for almost three years, there are 286 posts, enough material to fill a book. Having filled a book with all the knowledge and memories I have, how can I write another?
This was not an easy decision; my readership is the highest it has ever been. I felt I had an obligation to those readers. However, I have an obligation to myself; this blog is not my whole life. I am involved in many other creative endeavors.
In the end I decided the best time to quit is now, while my readership is at the highest, not a year from now when it has dwindled to nothing, and everyone says I have lost it.
This site is not going away; about 70% of my daily hits come from Google searches by people seeking bicycle knowledge. The blog material will stay, and after I have taken a break, I will develop the site for people who still own and ride bikes I built.
There will be more photos of owners bikes, and possibly a bike registry. I have a backlog of about fifty emails I need to answer, maybe now I can finally catch up.
I'm sure there are many readers who have not even come close to reading all that is here. Now is your opportunity to catch up.
Not all recent comments have been negative, in fact quite the reverse. I what to thank the many who have been supportive, and for giving me the feeling that it has all been extremely worthwhile.
Prodigal Child is my novel. Readers on Amazon and B&N.com give the book a Five Star Rating. If you enjoy the articles here, and you like my writing style, you will enjoy this book 
(Contact Dave)
More pictures of my past work can be viewed in the Photo Gallery and on my Website. Links are in the navigation bar at the top 
Mon, August 25, 2008
Reader Comments (88)
Dave,
I scarcely believe you've exhausted your base of knowledge! Your experience and insight is priceless I hope that you find some more to impart to the rest of us. I for one am a very eager reader of this site. However, I understand that mixing politics on this site --or on any public forum for that matter--- can get one kicked in the face. We live in turbulent times like many generations prior, yet there is a coarseness that exists in the political zeitgeist that appears unprecedented. It is enough to make one very wary. I believe that mankind is at a crossroads. There is alot at stake and that makes both sides of the argument very passionate about their point of view. Combined with the anonymity of the internet, and you have a free-for-all that is seldom for the faint of heart.
So, let's keep it all about the beauty of the bicycle here! Let each decide what he wants it to represent. But, for the love of Mary keep that old school knowledge flowing!
All the best,
The Two Wheeled Antipodean.
I well and truly concur with the comments made above, i totally understand your sentiment Dave but wisdom is priceless. Thanks and I look forward to your new site.
Dave,
I respect your decision to call it quit. Your blog has consistently been oozing quality. I will miss your articles popping up in the RSS reader.
Best wishes,
Nic
Whether we are grumpy old men or young passionate eco-nuts, we share the bicycle. Fat tires or skinny, baggy clothes or lycra, we share the joy of balancing on two wheels. With your talent, I am confident that you can capture the joy of cycling for us all...if you wish. I look forward to whatever you might chose to write, whenever you chose to do so.
I'm on the "left-wing eco-nut" side of things, and sometimes disagree with your opinions, but that hasn't stopped me enjoying your blog. I'll miss it.
I'm sorry that you're quitting, Dave. But I understand your decision and I respect it.
Rest assured that your insightful and informative blog never painted your picture as that of a grumpy old man.
Thanks for all your well-written insights over the years,
Dave
I just started reading your blog, so I am disappointed to read that you are finished with it. Its like, I just found a great new tv show, then find out it has been cancelled.
What you wrote here makes perfect sense to me--like you, I own a car and like driving it. I don't ride mainly for the environment, but because I love bicycles, and I love what bicycles do for me. I love to save money on gas, and reduce my dependence on it. It isn't about politics for me, it is about simplicity.
Perhaps the fact that you are in the middle, not on the left or right, is why the world needs your website.
I will miss checking your blog every morning, but I can understand the decision. All I want to say is that of all the cycling-related stuff I've read on the internet over the past 12 years, yours has a special place, and I'm not sure there is anything else worth reading now. I've enjoyed your other articles, especially the recent ones, ironically, but as far as cycling goes, I've never felt that there was any kind of personal agenda or ego behind it. Just pure, expert information and interesting viewpoints. It wasn't biased on the basis of having to make a living selling me any product or any cycling philosophy, and it wasn't slanted to defend or promote a personal passion other than just riding the road bicycle in an efficient way. Thank you for all you've done, and I hope you continue riding your road bike almost every day as I do. Despite decades of riding, there are some things about it I've changed over the past year or two based on your writings, even at this ripe old age of 55.
I also want to say that I'm almost glad you stopped building when you did. My favourite decade was the 1960's, so I have no special reason to value the 1980's, but I believe that by that time, the absolute summit of road bicycle design, aesthetics and materials had been reached. At that point, there was nowhere else to go. Your frames are one of the two best examples I know.
It sure has been nice to have one sensible oasis on the web. Best of luck to you.
For selfish reasons I wish you would continue writing but I understand your reasoning. I think it takes a lot of guts to make the decision you have. Good luck on your next endeavor.
Sorry to hear it; I've enjoyed it a lot, especially the things about bicycle design. It's been nice to hear a perspective that isn't always seduced by the lure of the new.
Dave,
I consider myself to be very new to blogs and relatively new to cycling. So, my experience in both fields is fairly limited and, unlike someone like you, I am far from having many stories to tell.
Yet, I choose to write about my cycling experiences and about what I see happening in the cycling world because it might encourage someone to get out and have similar experiences on a bike. I am sure that is what you have done by sharing your experiences and knowledge.
Your posts did give me lots of inspiration, made me think of my good old days, made me talk to the old guy in the club (another pommy cyclist), helped me glue my first tubular and made me get on the bike for another hard training session.
For all that and for all you have given through your posts, thank you!
Enjoy your time off,
AMR
Dave,
I am sorry to hear that you are discontinuing your blog. It seemed to me that you painted fair, balanced and well thought out opinions on the topics you chose to write about. Your blog was additionally interesting to me because I have good friends who are also English ex-patriots living in the Charleston area. Even though I am 5th generation or so American, I appreciate the slighty different outlook and approach that comes from a different culture. For a whole host of reasons you will be missed. Thanks for sharing.
Bill Phillips
Dave,
I've always looked forward to reading your blog. The worst thing you can do is keep writing stuff if you have nothing to say. While most of your blogs I've found interesting, especially where you've talked about "the old days", sometimes I've wondered whether you're spinning your wheels and should rather spend your time writing another book. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do in the future. Maybe when you don't feel obligated to come up with a new blog entry every 2 or 3 days, inspiration will strike and we'll see a few more gems in the future. Meanwhile, how about another book?
Your blog is one of a few that I always make sure to read every word of every post. I've really enjoyed reading your blog since I found it a couple of years ago. I'm sad to see you stop but understand and respect your decision. As a fellow Charlestonian, I hope to see you on the road.
Wow, I only recently found your blog. I'll miss your writings.
On the bright side, you said you'd leave the site up, maybe you'll get around to posting when you think of something that tickles your fancy.
"You know your in trouble when they stop talking about you."
So write about riding your bike... We won't get more people to ride by arguing about it. They'll ride because they see and read about the pure joy of it all.
Good for you, Dave. Enjoy riding the bike.
And thanks for all the thought provoking stuff on this blog. I'm glad that it's going to stay available for all to read and enjoy.
Thanks Dave - it was a good, but short run for me as a reader of your blog. Like some of my best experiences, twas shorter than I would have liked!
Best to you!
Lee Gross
Shane, don't go!
If you feel burned out, take some time off, but be aware that many people here enjoy your musings about the bike world. Remember, once you quit doing what you love, you get old, real fast.
C-ya.
I am sorry to read this news, I have really enjoyed your blog, never say never, maybe the occassional update?, Anyhow, good luck to you in the future.
Dave,
"Take some time off, see those sights, smell the fresh 'Sea' air (sometimes :-) and blog sporadically!"
Besides, who else (aside from me) resides in S.C., blogs, has built, is historical, rides and rocks but y'all? :-)
Personal, 'Dave, not time to depart as this party is just starting!'
Future EFFICIENT personal transportation is bicycling and you count!
Enjoy this Ride!
I really am sorry to hear this. It always seems to happen to blogs once I put them on my blogroll ...
I think with oil prices going down, and the media attention eventually moving on, cycling will soon go back to being something we can enjoy, rather than argue over - here's hoping you may then relent...
Sorry to hear this, but I completely understand. I wouldn't be offended if you posted from time to time about some great rides that you have in the future. Take care!
As a lugged steel and classic bike culture enthusiast, I can say that stumbling upon your blog (when looking for technical information, as you said most do) has been extremely beneficial. I thank you for what you've done and wish you the best in any and all endeavors you undertake in the future.
Thanks for all the great posts!
I do hope you continue to post on an occasional basis - whenever the spirit moves you. No pressure to write 3.2 articles per week or anything like that!
And as you know - it's better to BE riding than to be READING (or WRITING) about riding.