Wow, what a shock! I just met Dave in person at Cirque and I was really smitten with him. Besides being extraordinarily knowledgeable, he was a warm and gracious man. He carried himself like the champion that he was.
Here is a picture of Dave from the cover of the Northern California
Cycling Association Newsletter.
http://www.centerportcycles.com/
Here's a picture that I took of Dave at Cirque with John Pergolizzi's
Cinelli.
http://www.centerportcycles.com/
Not that I was ever on Dave's level but the big thing that we had in common was racing (particularly track racing). I, like many of you, loved to hear his stories. Although I retired from racing 16 years ago, this year I've been fooling around racing in the lowest category at the local training races on Friday evenings. I have been reporting to Dave on some of my modest exploits. I know that he understood my trials and tribulations. Today being Friday, I will be pinning on a race number this afternoon. If it comes down to a field sprint I'll be giving it everything I've got... with a lump in my throat.
I'm just so glad that I had the good fortune to make Dave's acquaintance before his untimely passing.
Jamie Swan - Northport, N.Y.