It is with great sadness that we report Hope’s co-founder, Simon Sharp, passed away on Monday July 4.
Sharp was found dead at his home earlier this week and it is believed that CTE, a degenerative brain disease that arises from concussions, may have contributed to his death.
Simon was one of the founders of Barnoldswick’s Hope Technology alongside his friend and fellow Rolls Royce aerospace engineer Ian Weatherill.
A company statement said: “Every product in Hope’s almost 30 years history has had influence and input from him, from the disc brakes that originally made Hope famous through to the latest carbon fibre products. He was still in the factory every day keeping his watchful eye over all Hope’s product development, quietly working in the background, never seeking attention.”
Simon was also an accomplished, competitive mountain biker, riding at the highest level. Last year he raced his mountain bike in several rounds of the Enduro World Series in the Masters category for competitor’s over 40 years old and embarrassed many riders more than a decade younger than him with his excellent results.
He leaves his wife Alison and three children, Sam, Katherine and Heather. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all he knew him.
Our thoughts at Dirt are with Simon’s family, friends and all those who work at Hope Technology.
