In Memory of our founder,
Clay Mankin.
November 22nd, 1955–November 13th, 2005.
We are very sad to announce the untimely departure of our friend and founder, Clay Richard Mankin, on
Sunday, November 13th, 2005. In what has been determined as an entirely organic event, Clay left us
doing what he loved most, just riding along a beautiful stretch of Highway 35. In anticipation of
his 50th birthday celebration November 22nd, he was en route to meet lifelong friends in Santa
Barbara. Unbeknownst to Clay, the enormous power and heart that we admired and loved proved too
strong for this world. How a man so young and so strong could succumb to a heart attack dumbfounds
all who knew him. No other vehicles were involved; there is no need for fear or anger. Clay was
never about that. He was an outstanding human being and friend. He was so much more to us than
just our Director, CEO, Leading Visionary and colleague. City Cycle shall continue to thrive
guided by his vision and principles.
City Cycle remains a reflection of what Clay believed in; many find our shop is a powerful spot for contemplation of the man.
We have placed an altar celebrating Clay in this church that he built. You are welcome to pay homage here with offerings of wine,
photos, or cards for his family or just to talk about bikes. We hope that you will share your stories with us and, if you will,
write a letter to Clay's son, Riley, about a memory you have of Clay so Riley can one day understand how great the impression his
dad made on so many people. The outpouring of affection, respect and support you have shown us is comforting. Thank you to each and every one of you.
There are no words to describe how we feel but many want to help. Here's what you can do. We have established an educational
fund to aid Clay's four-year-old son, Riley, to which you may send your gifts. Clay's wife and greatest asset, Alison, will administer the account:
Riley Mankin Educational Fund
c/o City Cycle San Francisco
3001 Steiner Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
We have found some words that touch on how Clay viewed our place in the world:
One final paragraph of advice: Do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am - a reluctant enthusiast...
a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives
for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, encounter the grizz, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for awhile and contemplate the precious stillness, that lovely, mysterious and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound people with their hearts in a safe deposit box and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this: You will outlive the bastards.
- Edward Abbey
"Not that I want to be a god or a hero. Just to change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone." - Czeslaw Milosz, Nobel Laureate
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