NOTE TO DARIO

This is my second summer riding a Duende. It is a wonderful bicycle. Everyone that sees it is astounded by its beauty and craftsmanship. I am sorry to hear about your illness and hope you have a full recovery!

Don Kiphart, Santa Fe, NM

Hello Dario. I am saddened to hear of your illness but want you to know I am thinking about you and hoping for you. I am a cancer survivor and a cyclist, and fought cancer during 1995. I lost my hamstring muscle in my right leg and was told I would never walk, run, or cycle the same way again. Baloney, I said. I accepted my treatment, but like you said, I combated my illness whenever possible "on my own terms". Even after high dose chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove the muscle, I have since done century rides and can cycle farther and faster than before I was diagnosed. I wish you a speedy recovery and make sure to keep tabs on those doctors and what they are doing. Medicine is "practice", like they say, and is not perfect. Learn as much as you can and embrace life and do not let the treatment get you down or stifle your life. Keep going and you will be amazed at how strong and resilient the human body really is. God bless.

John Thomas Jr.

Dear Dario, I hope and pray that you will have a swift and lasting recovery from your cancer. It is bikes like yours, and artists like you, that make our sport of cycling unique in being an art form as well as an athletic endeavor. My Marcelo gives me great joy and pleasure each time I ride it. It is wonderful to be able to hold in my hands something that was built by the hands of a master artisan. Again, please get well soon - the world needs more of your beautiful bikes in it!

Alex Parker, Cambridge MA

Dario! Dude, I LOOOOVE your work. You are truly one of the world's living treasures as no one can build a bike like you do. I have slowly been saving up to buy one of your frames. But this letter is not to discuss your amazing skills as an artist. Rather, I would like to wish you a rapid and complete recovery. My mother was diagnosed with lymphoma several years ago and is doing great now and I'm absolutely positive you will be back up on your feet and kicking ass once again. You are a true artist, inspiration and hero amongst a sea of impersonators. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Get well, Big Guy! Much love,

Woody Nitibhon, New York City

Dear Dario, My mother suffered from cancer so I know the weight which this disease must put upon you. You are in mine and others thoughts and prayers. God bless and get well soon.

Kristian Miller, Pilot Butte, SK, Canada

Dear Dario, I pray and hope you get well very soon,although i can't own a pegoretti but i like bicycles and hear alot about you. Don't quit ,live the present and now.FIGHT!I also had a close call when i had denggue fever.The foto which i put in puts me under a black and white light which made me reflected on life. I hope you will get well soon!! U will pull through like spending hours riding a bike up a mountain which seems impossible but u will get to the TOP oneway or another with your tongue out. Cheers, Benny(malaysia)<---somewhere in ASIA =0)

Benny Heng, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Ciao Dario! It was a great honor to visit your shop last July with my big friend Enrico Pizzorni fromm Acqui. It was very gracious of you to share some cafe and stories with us. I hope and pray that you have a swift and complete recovery. Forza!!

Jim Hoffman, Albuquerque NM USA

Dario, I have always admired the way your spirit, creativity and sense of humor show in your designs... these are the qualities that will help you get through this as well. You should know that even someone who has never met you (me) or owned a Pegoretti still thinks you must be a special person! My prayers are with you! Keep faith!

Joe, New York

Dario, I can only hope that all of the lives you've enriched can do the same for you in their support and love while you fight this thing. Live well, live slow, live long.

Rey Cruz, Houston, TX

Dario, I rode the Marcelo on a century last Sunday and thought of you. In July, I'll be riding it 550 miles in 6 days to raise money for cancer research and treatment. Your name will be on the red badge I wear every mile of the way. I hope you heal quickly. More people need to be riding your beautiful bikes. If anyone wants to donate to the ride, the Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer, here's a link: http://www.davejoachim.com/pprac. And one last link to the song, Pegoretti. http://www.taverntan.com/music.html Thanks again for writing to say that you like it. Maybe hearing it again will remind you of how strong your spirit is. Get well soon.

Dave Joachim, Center Valley, PA USA