EVANSTON, IL (BRAIN)—Eugene Sloane, author of "The Complete Book of Bicycling," died of complications from pneumonia last Saturday. He was 91.
The landmark book—published in 1970—went into detail about how to buy a bike to maintenance and repair. The book was a hit as bikes were just starting to gain popularity in the United States.
""He found a market waiting to happen," his son Nick Sloane said to the Chicago Tribune. "When he sat down to write the book, he had zero expectations. You still didn't see a lot of people out on their 10-speeds."
The book went through multiple editions and allowed Sloane to leave his job in public relations at the Midwest Stock Exchange. He followed up with "Sloane's Handy Pocket Guide to Bicycle Repair" and "Sloane's Complete Book of All-Terrain Bicycles."
Sloane is also survived by his wife, Emily; sons Peter and Todd; a brother, Joseph Arnold; a sister, Peggy Poulton; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
