Give Gil the Freedom to Fly Again

When Gil is riding his bike, no matter how slow he is pedaling, he will usually say “That thing can really fly!” in his excited, loud and high pitched voice.

If you already know Gil Carpinelli and haven't seen him in over a month, you are probably worried and wondering if he is healthy and doing OK. The answer is yes, he is healthy, and he is doing as well he can with a broken tricycle. You haven't seen him because his tricycle is broken and beyond repair.

If you don't know Gil, you need to know that his electric trike is his only transportation beyond the RTD bus. Gil Carpinneli has acute autism, and his daily struggles require him to have help. While Gil has his caretakers, he is very independent. His independence has been made possible by his bicycle and his many supporters throughout the NW Denver community. Without his electric tricycle, Gil’s world is very limited. Not only is his life greatly enriched by the ability to connect with the community, he also enriches and spreads joy to everyone he meets - be they a long time cherished friend or newly met stranger.

Gil is recognized and loved by many throughout Denver

At 57 years old, Gil has built an impressive network of friends that surpass what one would expect. He is well known and recognized throughout the community as he makes his rounds in the NW Denver, Wheatridge, Arvada, Lakeside and Downtown neighborhoods. Gil learned to ride a bike in his late teens. Ever since, he’s been riding heavily customized bicycles outfitted with stickers, mufflers, a motor prop printed on coroplast, fenders, ape hanger handlebars, flashy lights and more. His bikes are one of a kind creations, just like him.

Gil’s ability to balance on a bicycle has deteriorated and he broke his hip about 2019 when he fell over on his heavy bike inside fire station #7. That’s when the fire station, Turin Cycles, and the community came together to buy Gil an electric tricycle. On his electric trike Gil could more safely continue making his weekly and daily rounds. His autism makes these routines very important to his life and happiness.

Gil’s electric trike is no longer rideable. After thousands of miles and many repairs, Gil’s trike finally suffered from a crack in the frame - making it unrideable. Now it’s time for Gil to get a new ride: we are committed to helping Gil get a new electric tricycle. By giving Gil new electric transportation, we’re all aiming to return to him the smiles that he spreads to so many. When he talks about riding his bike he always says he’s flying - let's get Gil his wings back!

I’m Eric Guetterman, the owner/manager of Eforce Electric Bikes at 38th & Tennyson St in NW Denver. Eforce Bikes wants to help get Gil his transportation back so he can continue with his weekly routines. I met Gil many years ago when I was the entertainment manager at Elitch Gardens amusement park, where Gil has been a season pass holder for decades. He especially enjoyed going to all of the shows that were performed there during my years as entertainment manager. After I left Elitch Gardens in 2012, Gil and I remained friends as I would cross paths with him on his rounds in North Denver, where I have lived since 1999. We became even closer friends after I opened Eforce Bikes and he started frequenting my e-bike shop for help with his new electric trike.

Eforce Bikes has become not just Gil’s main shop for bike maintenance, parts, repairs for years now, but also a regular hang out on his weekly routine. While there is a network of bike shops that help Gil out, including WheatRidge Cyclery, and REI, Eforce Electric Bikes has become his go-to stop for repairs, customization, and maintenance. The staff here at Eforce have all enjoyed being a spot on Gil’s route, as he’ll hang out, and either ask for help or help out aroung the shop. He'll often have his lunch here. Some days he brings his lunch in his Disney Frozen-themed backpack, embellished with the characters Elsa and Anna . And on the days he doesn't bring a lunch with him, we're always happy to provide him a lunch.

Gil and I have become close friends over the 25 years we’ve known each other. He’s become family to Eforce Bikes, and he continues to be a frequent visitor - not only for the family discount. We’ve gone on many bike rides together, and have ridden to almost every Elitch’s fireworks show. Unfortunately, we had to miss last 4th of July show, as Gil’s bike was no longer working.

Here is what Gil needs to get his transportation back...

We are hoping to raise $9,500 to help with Gil’s transportation needs. A higher quality electric trike will cost between $3,500 & up to $9,500. Then it will require some modifications to make it safer for Gil. Including customized motor controller programming to limit the top speed, high visibility lights, a horn, studded tires for winter riding, puncture protective tire liners, rear view mirrors, etc. We’ll also customize his bike with the original style that Gil is known for, like printed fake Volkswagon motor cut out, printed VW fenders, a muffler noizemaker, ape hanger handlebars, extra flashy lights and maybe even a bluetooth speaker so he can play Christmas songs, pipe organ music and classic polka and waltz tunes by his favorite recording artist, The Mom and Dads.

We hope to also build a $2,000 fund to cover future maintenance and repairs, so Gil has no worries about staying on the road for years to come. Any money raised past the amount needed to buy his trike and outfit it with the custumizations he needs and wants will go into a fund to take care of his future maintenance.

Please help Gil Carpenelli by donating to our fundraiser.

To help not just Gil, but all of those who cherish his uplifting friendship and unique outlook on life. For more information about Gil, please read this article that was published in 5280 magazine:

https://www.5280.com/the-gift-of-gil/

Thank you so much!

Eric Guetterman