John and everyone,
It's just beginning to sink in how truely tragic Daves' passing is. He was in posession of an unbelieveable amount of historic information. His experiences as a junior racer from the Bay area in the 1950's, his time hanging around at the Cinelli workshop while in Europe in 1956 or '57. His time at Schwinn as a company man and a store owner spanned many years. He has been collecting paper historic information from eBay and had been piecing together a lot of the history of racing in the US from the 6 Days thru the 60's or so. We are all going to feel the loss of his personal experiences and his collected knowledge; but only a fraction as much as we will miss this unique person and his warm and fun personality. I don't think I could be more sad than if he were my own brother. This is just unfair and absolutely too sudden. But being on the bike; it just doesn't get any better than that.
Yeah John, Dave is doing laps high on the boards, waiting for us to join the race. Just another great thing about Dave. Not only was he short like me, but he was a trackie also. The photo of Dave on his 1964 Masi Special track bike he showed us at the past Velo Rendezvous was absolutely priceless. I am going to seek a copy of that photo for framing, in his memory. For those who were not there, Dave Staub did a presentation at the past Velo Rendezvous that was my favorite segment. I did not know about his early career as a rider and his other cool experiences until his speach. My respect for him deepend tremendously that day. Prior to that I mainly knew him as one of the "older more experienced" riders when I was a fledgling in the early 1970's. It was only recently that we became much closer friends through our mutual interest in vintage iron; Masis in particular. That time has been drastically too short. All of us have been cheated by his sudden passing. I'm still in shock.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me mail both personal and public. We will all miss Dave. This Sunday is going to be very tough without him.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
Thankfully, my keyboard is waterproof.
>
> I had only meet Dave last year, but it was really great talk'n "track"
> with him. Knocked back a couple a "Flying Horse" beers at Cirque in May.
> One story of Dave's was about how lock rings became "required" after a fella
> had his balls ripped off in a shunt caused when his cog spun off. Dave told
> a hell of a story.
> I had the pleasure of recently getting him back together w/ an old
> friend Sam Zeitlin. They got to talk and reminisce on the phone after like
> 35 years. Dave had great enthusiasm for sharing and showing vintage cycling
> photos he collected at the March get together at Matt Gorskie's garage/
> museum . What a genuine smile. I will hold GREAT memories of those times.
> Dave must have felt wonderful about the recent article in Bicycling
> magazine on his racing experiences in Europe.Another memory of mine is Mark
> Poore getting Dave's autograph in an issue of American Bicyclist after
> waiting some 40 years; priceless.
> Brian, Dave is waiting for us on a really smooth track and we'll get to
> do some flying 200's together someday. All of us. A little of my heaven. But
> I'm too sad now.
> Rest in Peace Dave.
> John T.Pergolizzi
> Trackie
> New York City
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 8:53 PM
> Subject: [CR]Untimely passing of our friend, Dave Staub
>
> > Dear friends;
> >
> > Only moments ago I recieved a phone call from one of our listmembers and
> > friend of mine with the tragic information that earlier today, esteemed
> > listmember Dave Staub was found on the side of the road by a passing
> > motorist. Apparently Dave passed away while out riding his bicycle
> > earlier today. For those who know Dave from the list or have met him in
> > person; you know what an incredable enthusiest and rider Dave was. Like
> > our recently departed and equally beloved Chris Beyer, Dave Staub was
> > one of those always happy and ever positive individuals; no matter what
> > was going on. His contribution to the world of bicycling, which extended
> > for his entire life, was tremendous. He was by far one of my favorite
> > local listmembers to ride and hang around with. We had a special bond
> > which only short riders have with one another. We recently rode a few
> > laps on the Disney/Mountford Schwinn 1964 Olympic track tandem on one of
> > gatherings here in San Diego. I will miss him deeply. He was just here
> > this past Monday to pick up his freshly restored 1964 Masi Special,
> > which he bought new. I hjad just given the bike a new life. I dearly
> > wish I could have somewhow given him more life; he is one of the most
> > deserving persons I have ever met. We were going to ride together this
> > comming Sunday. You cannot imagine my sadness right now, as I realize I
> > will never be able to ride with him again.
> >
> > God Bless you, Dave. Rest in Peace.
> >
> > Brian Baylis
> > La Mesa, CA
> > This is the most painful submission I will ever have to make to the list
> > I'm sure. Truely a more friendly and sincere man never lived.