NOTE TO DARIO

Many of you are aware that Dario Pegoretti was diagnosed with lymphoma in May, 2007. While Dario's skill at building artful and wickedly fast bike frames has made him legendary across the globe, he's perhaps more loved as bon viveur. Who amongst us doesn't consider him a soulmate? 10 minutes of conversation with Dario is like a riff from your favorite song, or a page from your favorite book. His interests are so vast and his exuberance so limitless that few people don't feel like they share an entire worldview with him. We're willing him from across the Atlantic to get well — there's too much limoncello left to drink, and he still hasn't seen Graceland.

The purpose of our "Note to Dario" area here is simple — it's for ALL of us from across the globe to let Dario know he's in our thoughts and prayers. Feel free to share your thoughts with him, and we'd like you to upload a photo of yourself and your bike. No, it doesn't need to be a Pegoretti! Upload a photo of you and your Pegoretti, Serotta, Sachs, or any other bike you feel passionate about. No one champions the art form of hand-building bicycles (any bicycle) like Dario.

*To include a photo with your message, click the 'Browse' button below, navigate to your photo on your computer and click 'Open.' You may upload bmp, jpg, jpeg, gif, tif, tiff, png formats only.

Your Message (maximum 1000 characters. You have 1000 characters/spaces remaining)

Your Name and Hometown:

*Your Photo:

Dario, I cried when I saw your video today 27, August, 2010. "Of Steel" - http://www.rapha.cc/of-steel--trailer As I too had been diagnosed with Stage IV Mantel Cell Lymphoma, but now I have just finished my last fifth last round of chemo "R-CHOP" (does that sound familiar?). So I am an active, avid vintage bicycle collector, I love primarily the vintage stuff, 60's, 70's & 80's mostly Italian, French, American and Japanese. I have over 150 frames and bicycles in my home! I just wanted to say I hope you and I will conquer the Cancer, you, I believe will soon know, as you are approaching the five year mark. Well, according to the film lately, you haven't lost much weight! If you are ever in San Francisco, California, USA, please give me an E-mail anytime, and I'll treat you for a ride or whatever. Thank you, Tom M. Jue San Francisco, CA E-mail: fyrtom@yahoo.com

Tom M. Jue

Dario, I hope that you are doing better now and I wish you well. Best wishes to you and your family. Stay well and keep positive...John Shepherd jshep172@comcast.net

John Shepherd, Vancouver, WA USA

You are much loved! While I don't have a photo, I have a custom steel bike from John Caletti here in Santa Cruz. It is beautiful. Your bikes are beautiful. Bicycles enrich our lives, and your craft is immortal.

Aaron Greenberg, Santa Cruz

Best to you moh brathair

Ken Campbell, Ferndale, Montana

Ciao Dario, Su internet se ne leggono tante, io ho letto che il telaio GIORDANA che possiedo FORSE era stato fatto da te. Chissà se è vero... In cuor mio mi piace crederlo. Non so ad oggi quale sia il tuo stato di salute, ma ti auguro tutto il bene. Anzi mi piacerebbe che tu mi rispondessi: "Vaffanculo, è storia vecchia!!! Ora sto da leoni!". Ti abbraccio, e in bocca al lupo, Valentina

Valentina, TREVISO

Dario a few year back, after a crash w/an auto I found the ride of my life........a palosanto you built. it is a delight, many thanks and very best wishes for good health, long life and ever latsing friends

albert Cook, Winchester, MA, USA

Dario, I have followed your work forever, and I just took the plunge for a Big Leg Emma (my cycling dream). You are a very special person, and I wish (pray) you the very best. God's speed............

Dave Clifford, San Jose CA

Dario, Hello! I'm a new rider that lives out side of San Francisco. I just started looking a custom bikes and came across your beautiful frames. While doing my research on your frame I came across this article. I want to let you know that I've been raising money with the local charity called The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Also know as Team In Training. With Team In Training we do Century's (100 miles rides), Tri's, and Marathons to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I just want to wish you the best of luck. Regards, Erin Ryan from San Francisco

San Francisco

Dario - I'm a musician first and a budding cyclist second. I wanted you to know that despite my ignorance of the mechanics of making bicycles, I can indeed see something in your shapes, your paint that has an inherent quality of passion. I certainly don't believe that an inanimate object can have a soul, but I think that that object can reflect the soul of the person (or people) who made it. In that light, your work and your drive was immediately apparent to me, and I thought you might want to know that it doesn't take a trained eye to see what you've made. Lymphoma cannot affect the mark you have made, nor can it solely deprive you of your will to continue. Keep it up.

Rob, Boston, MA

Dario: My current life ambition is to further my love of cycling, into its heart and soul. I have been trying to make my body understand that I want it to go fast but it is not easy nor simple. It takes time. I believe you are the most interesting and artistic frame builder I have ever seen. I would like to buy one of your frames in the near future but I'm having a difficult time choosing my first. I'm sure you understand. I don't expect you to respond to my message, but I want you to know that your work inspires me to be better, to be appreciative of the art of frame building and to be my best. I hope you are well, and happy. I will think of you as I train and ride.

Randy Bullock, Pensacola Florida USA

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