Help for cyclist rolls in

Published 5:25 pm Wednesday, August 3, 2011

ARLINGTON — Dick Cress would do anything for anyone, his friends say.

On Wednesday, he found out how many folks would do the same for him.

More than a dozen people offered to replace his bike, which was stolen Saturday after h

e left it unlocked outside his gym in Arlington.

Cress is well-known around town for riding his bike to and from Smokey Point, pedaling on average more than 20 miles per day. He took up riding as a way to lose the weight he gained after his son, Patrick, was murdered in the 1983 and his wife, Katherine, died of cancer.

Since he started riding 16 years ago, Cress has biked more than 72,000 miles and has lost 130 pounds.

The story of Arlington’s famous bicyclist — and his stolen bike — appeared in The Herald on Wednesday.

Cress, 72, a retired architect, was thankful but declined offers for used bikes. He’s got a small frame, standing only 5-foot-5. He said getting a bike that fits right is important for safety reasons.

“I’m not attempting to be ungrateful, just realistic,” Cress said.

Instead, Mark Everett, who owns Stanwood Velo Sports with his wife, Rochelle Everett, set up a fund at his shop to replace the bike.

Everett knows Cress because the senior gets his mechanical work done at the Arlington store. Everett estimates it will take $1,000 to replace the gear and bike.

“Dick is a great candidate to be out on a bicycle the community provided,” Everett said. “I would tell people about him because of his dedication to cycling and what cycling has done for him.”

Everett said the fund will go directly to an account Cress has at the store, 360-629-6415.

Sherri Parker, Payroll Coordinator for Fisher Companies Inc. in Burlington, made a donation to the cause.

“My dad is 72 years old,” Parker said. “It just struck me that he is my dad’s age and most likely, worked very hard his entire life to provide for his family. Now he is struggling, like most seniors, to make ends meet.”

She’s been the victim of a theft, and said she is appalled there are so many people who have no problem stealing from other people.

Larry Compton, of Lake Stevens, said he’s probably passed Cress out riding his bike. He offered to give the fellow cyclist a bicycle with a carbon-fiber frame.

Another cyclist from Mukilteo, Gary Kenna, agreed that cyclists are very particular about riding a certain type of bike.

“The bike needs to be the right size,” Kenna said.

Cress said the thief took his gloves, helmet, computer, front and rear strobe lights, saddle bags, clip pedals, etc.

“They said accepting donations would be the better way to go,” Cress said. “Get the whole thing in one ball of wax.”

Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451; oharran@heraldnet.com.