I just got the new Cycle World and sounds as if his Leanings column will no longer be monthly. He said that he will write an occasional column and contribute stories from time to time. He cites his age (66) and some recent minor health issues.
I haven't seen the new Road & Track yet.
When Egan leaves moto journalism as we know it will die.
When he leaves R&T, I will reconsider my subscription. Although I like the direction with Larry Webster.
Sounds similar to what was announced about Side Glances with the October issue.
Yup, he's stopping with the columns. But he's still going to write occasional articles for R&T and (I imagine) Cycle World. He does have some not minor health issues that prevent him from sitting for extended periods, which makes his line of work a challenge.
I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon hanging in the Colorado sun with him a few years back, talking about old Cadillacs, the perfect shade of BRG and road trips. He's exactly like you'd expect.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
That's awesome. Considering that I'll probably never have the chance to do the same, I'm glad to hear that.
He's been pretty much my favorite automotive/motorcycle writer for about as long as I can recall. I mean no disrespect to our hosts; the bar he sets is high enough to leave a lot of room.
Egan for what it's all about, and Kevin Cameron for how it all works...
ransom wrote: Egan for what it's all about, and Kevin Cameron for how it all works...
Speaking of excellent writing, that is a lovely turn of phrase.
I've been reading his R&T work for many years. Not being a cycle guy I have never read any of his two wheel stuff. I too did get to meet him many years ago at Road America. I was racing my 1980 ITC Ford Fiesta with MCSCC and he was running his new to him Formula Atlantic race car. He chose the spot next to me to set up. Once I realized who he was I stopped by to say hello and to tell him I liked his work but then left him alone the rest of the weekend. He was with his wife and another couple so I didn't want to intrude.
His stuff all has a very similar ring to it: I took this trip, influenced by some old thing, and I met a buddy, and we had some fun, and my wife was patient, and I miss the old days. But I have enjoyed every single article about two wheels or four, so they guy has some talent! Without Brock Yates, David E Davis or Egan, who will whine for the old days?
I guess I'll have to search for stories about road trips in classic Shelby Mustangs, searching for a power steering pump in west nowhere, getting help from a personal connection...
mazdeuce wrote: When Egan leaves moto journalism as we know it will die.
So are you getting ready to go through five stages of grief or send him cyanide pills?
About twenty years ago, he wrote about not having some Ducati memorabilia. I sent him a poster and some brochures.
I received a nice letter and phone call from him, and we talked cars for a bit. Cool guy.
jimbbski wrote: I've been reading his R&T work for many years. Not being a cycle guy I have never read any of his two wheel stuff.
I still have a copy of Cycle magazine (I think from 1976) with his first published story - he was sitting around the house in Wisconsin one day wishing he had some chicory coffee, so he hopped on his Honda 400-4 and rode it down to New Orleans to pick up a can.
He is the only person who ever made me want to drive across country in a Westfield Lotus 11
..and an MG TD
..and a purple '63 Cadillac
..and a BMW Isetta
..and a Dino 246.
I guess I loved his stories about road trips off the interstates.
One of his bike stories involve him on some sort of Honda 50 riding a few hundred miles with his buddy, who was riding a 10 speed bike. A few hours in, they stopped at a gas station, and the Honda took some tiny amount of fuel, like 37 cents, and his buddy had eaten $3.00 worth of energy bars by that time.
I was amused.
My sister got to sit through a 'meeting' of his motorcycle crew because her car died and the only guy who could pick her up was a friend who was a crusty old lawyer/motorcycle mechanic who was on his way to said meeting. Egan was out of town for something but she said the whole crew was interesting. I told her she should try to find a way to go back when Egan was going to be there. She said she wasn't sure she wanted to spend that much time hanging out with old dudes. Her loss.
Streetwiseguy wrote: One of his bike stories involve him on some sort of Honda 50 riding a few hundred miles with his buddy, who was riding a 10 speed bike. A few hours in, they stopped at a gas station, and the Honda took some tiny amount of fuel, like 37 cents, and his buddy had eaten $3.00 worth of energy bars by that time. I was amused.
Awesome! 
I remember now that a few years ago I was at one of those "discount" book stores and they were selling some soft cover books that were just a collection of his columns from R&T. I picked them up and enjoyed reading them again. Some of the columns I had never read before even though I was a long time R&T subscriber. Now I only get GRM.
pinchvalve wrote: Without Brock Yates, David E Davis or Egan, who will whine for the old days?
You young puppies aren't old enough to remember Warren Weith, or Henry Manney! 
jimbbski wrote: I remember now that a few years ago I was at one of those "discount" book stores and they were selling some soft cover books that were just a collection of his columns from R&T. I picked them up and enjoyed reading them again. Some of the columns I had never read before even though I was a long time R&T subscriber. Now I only get GRM.
I've got the same books and they great to pull out now and then. One of my favorites is his take on nursing homes for baby boomers. All these old guys with Hendrix posters, strats and motorcycle parts that they'll want to have in their rooms.
Although I don't read the Roundel I have always been a fan of Satch Carlson. I loved his stuff for Autoweek when I was young, especially his Saab rallye adventures. I guess he is still writing and his stuff can be found here. And yes, I know about his past.
^what's the deal with Satch's past?
Egan is a great writer. This thread has inspired me to buy some of his books.
In reply to amg_rx7:
http://forum.roadfly.com/threads/9539886-Satch-Carlson-a-jerk-or-a-good-guy-I-think-he
http://articles.ktuu.com/2011-01-04/popular-english-teacher_27012694
amg_rx7 wrote: ^what's the deal with Satch's past?
Well, 17 anyhow.
I was a huge fan of his back in the Autoweek days. I remember they printed something really brief about the accusation a month or two after it happened, but that was it. In those pre-internet days, all you could do was wonder why he had disappeared from their pages. I must admit, when I joined BMWCCA a couple of years ago, I was surprised to see him on Roundel's masthead.
Another great old-time auto writer was Ken Purdy, but his stuff is getting really hard to find now.
I have the Egan collections which I pull out every so often; they kinda make you want to go have an adventure which would be awesome if i wasnt so tied down.
Are you telling me that there are other car mags besides GRM? Who knew?! 
I keep hoping that Leanings 3 and 4 will eventually be released. I never subscribed to Cycle World, so I missed most of Egan's columns and stories that he wrote for them. I do have Leanings and Leanings 2.
It's a shame to see him go, he's one of the main reasons I resubscribed to R&T.
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