Pete Beers

[dkel]

A true cycling avatar.

[kwarkentien]

Pete, if you’re reading this, know that you are loved! And missed by all of us.

We should go for a bike ride!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Drewdane]

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[drevil]

Tripel Beer by bikecentric

[Sunyata]

Pete made me a better person, a better cyclist, and a better friend. My heart is broken.

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You are awesome, you are loved.

[chris_s]

This world is darker and less fun without Pete in it.

[JorgeGortex]

I’ve always been a fringe participant in the local biking community, focusing on other things in life while enjoying cycling virtually until a few years ago. Then I dove in headfirst and immediately needed a mechanic… and everyone yelled “PETE!” So I went and I was immediately taken by a man and shop where I was treated with respect and interest just because I rode a bike. The smile, the hearty greeting, the sense of humor, and the warmth I felt when I’d go by the shop or send an email to Pete with a question truly made me feel like I had found a new community. It wasn’t until recently when I connected the pink dots and got that Pete = Dirt here on the forum. I had met a legend, who I could actually ride with. And I did. Once. On a coffee ride with the Bikenetic gang. It wasn’t enough.

Like many of you, I am mourning someone special. I said to my wife this morning that I felt ridiculous tearing up while reading tributes on his Facebook page when I barely knew the man. I felt guilty. But then it dawned on me that the tears were really about love and goodness and that is EXACTLY what Pete would appreciate.

Thanks, Pete, for being you. You are loved.

JorgeGortex aka George Kirschbaum

[Tim Kelley]

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Doing what he did best. Pete helped me pick out this bike, based on his knowledge of my riding style, and didn’t even roll his eyes when I wanted a powertap wheelset. This photo was taken the day before one of Pete’s favorite events, Rebecca’s Private Idaho, as he was adjusting my spoke tension.

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A rare photo of Pete in a vehicle, in front of a steering wheel even!

[jwfisher3]

Pete was probably the very first person to reach out to me to help when I asked questions on this Forum, now nearly a decade ago. Before long, I realized this Dirt guy was BikeDC’s version of the legendary Sheldon Brown. Pete knew bikes, and he knew the joy bikes brought to him, and he wanted you, me and everybody to share in it. He was always ready with words of encouragement, or some expert mechanical advice on a common passion we shared – single-speed cyclocross bikes. I loved watching his irrepressible personality come bursting out in all the images of rides he shared with all of us. He made even made cars (a banana yellow GTI? YES!!) cool. I’m so sorry he’s left us. I hope he’s on a ride with Dave somewhere out among the stars.

[DanB]

I’m so sorry to hear about Pete.
I live on the other side of the tot lot from the trail where the accident happened. My family was watching our church’s online service with the windows open and heard the tree fall shortly before 10:00 am. At first I didn’t think anyone was hurt but soon realized I was mistaken. The trail had been crowded all morning, so the ambulance was called quickly.

It’s been good connecting with Peet’s friends tonight as they stop on the trail to remember him.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[awitt]

Peter’s quiet charisma drew me in the first time I met him. I have no doubt he could command any room he wanted, but he didn’t. He was a big man but I never felt threatened. He was so generous with his time and creativity, willing to help solve little problems for walk-ins – like cutting a seat post shim from a Perrier can, or big problems – like weighing everyone’s stuff at th disaster relief trials. I always suspected he had a lot of friends who cared about him and who he cared for. I’ve seen this in the messages on this forum and on Facebook. I was looking forward to getting to know him better, but now that won’t happen. I didn’t know Pete well and I didn’t realize how much I counted on him being part of my life. Then he was sudden
gone without reason or explanation and I am disoriented and very sad.

[Boomer Cycles]

No words other than “The Tree…. R.I.P. Dirt”

Sent from Boomer_Cycles via my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Boomer Cycles]

@DanB 202143 wrote:

I’m so sorry to hear about Pete.
I live on the other side of the tot lot from the trail where the accident happened. My family was watching our church’s online service with the windows open and heard the tree fall shortly before 10:00 am. At first I didn’t think anyone was hurt but soon realized I was mistaken. The trail had been crowded all morning, so the ambulance was called quickly.

It’s been good connecting with Peet’s friends tonight as they stop on the trail to remember him.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Nice to meet you earlier tonight at the spot. I was the guy in the bike kit sitting on the tree when you came up to speak to Dane and I. Thanks for filling in the gaps about what happened to Dirt. It gave me Peace.

Sent from Boomer_Cycles via my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dbb]

I got to know Pete about 10 years ago when he was commuting into the District and I was just starting as a bike commuter. A much stronger rider, he would roll up on me and then slow down to my pace to socialize for a few minutes, and then ride off. It seemed if you were on a bike, you were one of Pete’s peers without regard to your abilities. Always gracious, he would volunteer time and expertise with WABA and BikeArlington and I would often see him there. He would help out with community rides, providing encouragement to younger cyclists and generally have a good time. Every time I’d see him, he was always open and giving. I will value the bike Pete recently helped me pick out at Bikenetic.

A few shots to illustrate Pete’s enthusiasm and whimsy from happy hours, the Ride on Washington fundraiser (Boston to DC in about 5 days), a Phoenix Family ride, and in support of BikeArlington and WABA.

Always in our thoughts Pete!

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[Starduster]

I want to be like Pete when I grow up.

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