Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Glenn Lucky shows off the new bike he picked up Saturday from the Bike Smith.
Glenn Lucky is pedaling around much more happily after he picked up his new tricycle Saturday from The Bike Smith.
Lucky, 52, who has cerebral palsy, rides from 25 to 40 miles a day on his bike, often pulling a trailer with advertising posters for businesses.
But it was getting more and more difficult for him to ride the old bike, and he recently mentioned his situation to Pete Pradere, owner of Port of Subs on South Carson Street and Jacks Valley Road, which Lucky frequents for lunch.
An appeal went out in June for donations to get a new three-wheeled bike for Lucky. In just two days, $11,000 was collected. This allowed Lucky to get a new bike and for The Bike Smith to take care of all future repair and service needs.
"I'm glad to hear he has it and, hopefully, that he enjoys it tremendously," Pradere said. "That's neat, I'm really glad he's happy."
Pradere placed the downpayment on Lucky's new bike, which cost a total of $4,800.
"It rides great," Lucky said with a big smile. "It can move."
The bike is a one-of-a-kind made by Lightfoot Cycles. It is made to Lucky's body specifications - height, and leg and arm length. It has patriotic red, white and blue paint, as requested by Lucky.
"I want to say thank you very, very much to the community for their donations," Lucky said.
"I'm proud to be part of the community. I know people work hard for their money, and I thank them for putting their money in me. I really want to thank them for their support."
Lucky said his old bike is at The Bike Smith and will be shipped to a friend in Las Vegas.
"This way when I go to visit her, we can ride together - if she can keep up."
Lucky's first trip on his new bike was to visit friend Lynette Jackson at the Carson Nugget. He told her about it, then showed it to her Sunday.
"She said, 'It's about time it got here,'" Lucky said.
The new trike weighs just 24 pounds, compared to 85 for the old one. It also has three disc brakes and a basket between the rear wheels large enough to hold his walker.
"I am an animal," Lucky claimed of his riding skills and the reason he fell off the old bike.
"It was me - my fault I fell. I'm a wild man. But I have no speeding ticket yet."
Lucky's bike has a license plate on the rear which reads, "MYHOG," with a frame that says, "Bad to the Bone." The seat has a shock absorber, making his ride a bit smoother.
"I want to thank The Bike Smith for all their trouble and Rod Smith, the owner, and Pete Pradere."
Lucky estimates he has been towing ads for area businesses for 29 or 30 years, first in Lake Tahoe then in Carson City. He rides as a form of therapy for his muscles.
"I can go up Indian Hill in third gear and not break a sweat," he said.
Some residents have suggested naming the bike trail along Highway 395 after him, calling it "Lucky's Lane."
Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
