NOTE TO DARIO

Hi Dario, This is my second season on a Duende which is painted in Green Arrows. Every time I hop on it for a ride it makes me feel so special. It rides like very few bikes out there. The looks of the paint is from a true artist. Only you can make a bike this way. In a world of "cookie cutter" bike makers you are a true gem. Thank you so much. It is a privilege to own one of your masterpieces. I plan on buying another of your bikes in the future. Please get well soon!

Tom, NJ

You, sir, are the Dude as far as I can tell but I've only seen pictures and read a few words. Yeah, I got the bike and I love it...I don't want to bore you, it's too much to tell here. You do what you gotta do on your terms. Answer to no one. Nipple-rings? Nude welding sessions? You go, Dario!

Rick Riley, Fort Bragg, California

I too, was diagnosed with lymphoma (non Hodgkins) on 07/09/05. My own personal 11/09 as I like to call it. I've been cancer free for nearly two years and enjoy every moment I'm on my bike. Hang in there and fight this thing. Its a good time to have cancer since it is so treatable these days. As a more well known cancer survivor has stated: "The day I was diagnosed with cancer is the day I started to live." Keep up a positive attitude and never stop fighting. Life is worth living...now let's get on with living this life! Steve Hengst Houston, TX USA

Steve Hengst, Houston, TX USA

Bonjour Dario! I wish you well my friend. What led me to you is my search for a nice steel high-end cycle frame from which I could built a very high-end tour cycle. Please don't take that as a "slam", for it is meant to be a compliment. Besides putting together a Pinarello Dogma FPX soon, I also wanted to compliment it with a very fine road/tour cycle that would fit me, and would be fast, and have great control -- for that nothing beats steel! Below you see my "what used to be" 1986 design cinelli Lotus Record. She was a beautiful girl, Mayla I think you say. At any rate I slamed into a steel light pole at 18-mph head on -- I was not seriously injured and was able to ride her back to the car. On my ride, before the accident, she rode like the fine 19.6 pound cycle she was, then after the crash she felt like a 45 pound out-of-shape women? I slighly buckled the frame at the downtube/headtube connection area, more on the downtube side -- the weld stayed firm of course.

Gary Foley, Grove City, Ohio U.S.A.

Dear Dario Before I heard of your frame building skills and your extraordinary paint schemes I have been listening to Jarret (but not Love #3) and Zappa (of Big Leg Emma fame). My thoughts have been with you since I heard of your disease. I wish you all the best. Because I do not yet own a Pegoretti these wishes are not entirely unselfish but I hope that you get well soon. But it's not just about the bike. It's about the ride and the journey.

Pekka Ahonen, Helsinki, Finland

Dear Dario, It was Zappa and the Great Googoolee Moogoolee that kept me inspired through chemotherapy. I do hope you will share your passion for many years. My prayers are with you. A speedy recovery!

Dan Magilavy, Kensington, NH USA

Ciao Dario, sono Massimo della Galmod Group,la mia prima MTB l'ho acquistata da te a S.Martino, consigliato da Dario Bergamini.Allora non sapevo nulla (ora forse so meno...)cosa posso dire....solo una grande speranza che tutto si risolva per il meglio.Un abbraccio.

Massimo, Mezzane di Sotto

Hello Mr. Dario I would like to tell you i am just getting into cycling I am 18 years of age. My uncle built me a bike from an older aluminum frame which i love its pretty plain, but since ive got it ive had plans to make it look really cool and actually bring out my personality, ive looked at different paint shops but my favorite so for is yours, Ive just found your work yesterday but im in love with your "METAL" frames. I believe in your work and in you and I pray now that you are going to or are all ready feeling better. Always remember that GOD is on your side and you can do anything through him God Bless Mykel Flores

Mykel Flores, Killeen, TX, U.S.A.

Get well, Dario. Your work is impressive, and we need to keep it coming. I particularly like the bike you build for Floyd Landis with the Jack Handy expressions on it, yor Big Leg Emma, GGM and Luigino models, and your respect for the classic methods of building frames. Peace out.

Philip Moore, McKinney, Texas, U.S.A.

Dario, get well soon. Our thoughts and hopes are with you.

tom k, seattle, wa