NOTE TO DARIO

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

Hi Dario, This is Fernando Tibau from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I wish you strong health and hope find you cycling around in Europe as soon as possible. Cheers!

Fernando Tibau, Brazil

Dario, Craig at Competitive Cyclist built up a Love #3 for me. I named it Uccello because I learned a few words of Italian a few years back and love birds. I wanted to ride a work of art and I'm riding Uccello with passion. Thank you for your passion and art.

David Harvey, Conway, Arkansas

l'e' propi en bel camel

michele, rovereto

Dario, I hope this message finds you healing and improving each day. I may have some understanding of your situation: my diagnosis of T cell lymphoma in January, 2003 had all of the hallmarks of a death sentence. It was front and center in my mind all through the night, every night. Five years later, I am changed forever, for better and for worse. Yet I continue to ride more than 1,000 miles per year, loving and savoring each moment. You can be certain of my best wishes, positive thoughts and prayers for you, among the many others sent your way every day. You'll win.

Paul OConnell, Evanston, Illinois USA

Dario, Just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you have been for me and my family. I got my Palosanto in ’02 which was my re-entry into cycling (I now have a Responsorium on order). It's been a great bike and has traveled with me around the world. I have included a picture of my sons and I at the end of a 2-day 150 mile ride (they don’t have Pegoretti’s yet. They won’t stop growing!). Take care and thank you for building bikes with soul. David

David Fischer, Charlotte, NC

Dario - all the best to you and may you have a quick recovery. I was hit on a bike ride in April of 2006, my lower right leg was blown into pieces. It took 2 surgeries, an 18" titanium rod, 6" plate, 12 screws, a bone graft out of my upper leg, and almost a year on crutches to recover. Life's a bitch ain't it! I lost hope so many times - especially when they told me they would have to amputate the leg if the bone graft didn't work. Well, I kept watching my Tour de France videos and going by my steel road bikes in the basement and touching them - scared of them and yet hopeful I could return to them one day too... Anyway, I am going on about my own troubles, which were very bad, but not cancer - which must be very frightening. I just wanted you to know others are suffering and others are using their bikes (even it's just to touch them gently in passing) to pull through tough times. I think your bikes are magnificent and I hope I get to meet you one day! Pic is of me and my son.

ALex Loker, Alexandria Virgina