Denver star needs new bike to regain his freedom

DENVER – Seeing Gil Carpenelli's big smile this month was a huge relief for Eric Guetterman.

His long-time buddy is a fixture in Denver. You can see him riding his distinctive bike all over town – and everywhere he goes, he makes friends.

But Eric, who owns E-Force Bikes in northwest Denver, said Gil's friends recently became concerned when he disappeared for several weeks.

“People from the recreation center and the American Legion reached out and asked, 'Hey, is Gil OK? Is Gil OK?' They were worried about him,” Eric said.

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It's hard to miss Gil on this souped-up blue tricycle, which is definitely a real eye-catcher.

“With the mufflers, the extra lights and the horn, it’s always this very creative, individual expression of yourself,” Eric said.

He has made friends at Denver fire stations and enjoys riding his bike to proms and church services.

“I ride my bike to church, they have organ pipes there,” said Gil, who joined Eric in front of E-Force Bikes, wearing a nice jacket given to him by the crew at Denver Fire Department Station 6.

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Besides the jacket, Gil also wore Denver Nuggets gear.

“Michael Porter is my favorite Nuggets player,” Gil chimed in.

Another of his favorite stops is the bike shop, where he likes to lend a hand and help out. “People call out to us as they drive by: 'Hey Gil!' when they see him standing at the door,” says Eric.

“I just came here to help,” Gil added.

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Gil’s life is full – also thanks to his bicycle – which is unfortunately permanently parked behind the shop.

“I hit a pothole and the frame broke,” he said.

When Gill, an autistic person, lost his car, he lost some of his freedom and his connection to his circle of friends.

Eric Guetterman

“His bike or tricycle gives him so much independence,” Eric added. “He lives a really full and fulfilling life with all his friends.” That's why Eric is determined to get Gil back on his feet. “We're trying to raise enough money with this GoFundMe campaign to buy Gil a new tricycle,” Eric said.

Eric and the community want to equip Gil with a quality bike and all the safety equipment he needs to ride around Denver better than before.

“Most of these higher-end electric trikes cost between $3,000 and $7,000 or more, but we definitely wanted to have a fund that we set aside in a separate account that could be used to finance Gill’s upkeep,” Eric said.

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Gil, who rides hundreds of miles on his bike, needs extra cushioning for the bumps and potholes that are inevitable on the road.

“He rides pretty rough, the rims bend – so we're looking for a bike with thick tires so the potholes don't bother him so much,” said Eric.

They want to add a speaker so he can listen to his favorite band (“The Mom and Dads”) while he drives.

Gil is also ready, as he has already chosen silencers and additional safety lights for his future motorcycle.

“We need to get the tire inserts so that when he drives in the winter he doesn't get thorns in his tires – so he can drive safely in the snow. We want to stock up on the most common maintenance items. We'll get a spare chain and spare parts for the electrics so that if he breaks down we can get him back on the road in a day or two,” he said.

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Due to Gil's condition, a caregiver is required to live with him and assist him with basic tasks.

“He's very functional and able to get around Denver and interact with people, but most of his social contacts are also unofficial caregivers in some way,” Eric said. “Given his condition, it's really important for him to maintain those routines, and routine and habits are very important to him, and so he's very limited right now.”

When the wheels rolling along the pavement represent your freedom and your connection to happiness, it's hard to put into words the feeling of what's missing – when your bike no longer works.

But thank God there are good friends who have your back.

“His regular routine makes him happy, but it also enriches the lives of the people he meets,” Eric said. “If Gil didn't come here anymore, I would miss him.”

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Once they have enough money for a new bike and long-term maintenance, Eric says they will hold a celebration to thank everyone who donated from the heart.

“I think we're happy that the community loves him so much and knows him so well that they're chipping in to not only provide him with a safe ride, but also a reliable car and a little money to keep him mobile for many years to come,” Eric said.

As of Friday afternoon, the campaign was just a few thousand dollars short of its goal. Once he gets his new car, Denver7 will take you along to see Gil's big smile as he drives around Denver.

“Thank you for helping me,” he said.

You can watch the video report in the player below and Donate using this link.

Get Gil back on the bike: Denver's star needs a new bike to regain his freedom