Please help Newport in the hunt for this rather unique bike!

Bicycle thieves are the bane of Newport’s existence. Having your bike stolen isn’t the worst crime to fall victim of, but in a community where most residents feel pretty safe like Newport, it’s that reminder that there are scumbags about who will heartlessly take your stuff without hesitation. They’re also a deterrence for adopting a more bicycle-filled life. You want to buy a nice bike, but you hesitate because you worry that it will get stolen, so even if you buy one, you don’t use it as much as you’d like to because you worry about leaving it unattended (even with a lock) in the most familiar of surroundings.

So while we don’t like bicycle thieves on a good day, we just got wind of a bike theft that has put us into a rage. Newport’s most famous one-handed former fireman/soon-to-be movie star, Braden Leonard had his specially modified bicycle stolen last night.

This was Braden before his bicycle was stolen:

He was so full of wonder and happiness.

Unfortunately, today Braden had to post this on Facebook:

My bike was stolen last night.

If anyone happens to see it please call me at 4014139236.

Tires and brakes are now black, and seat has been replaced under warranty with same, otherwise pics are accurate.

Here’s a parts list with description if you see something similar.

Blue Giant Seek with a Shimano Alfine hub gear.

All controls were mounted on the left side.

Brooks C15 saddle with a natural (tan) canvas cover

Schwalbe tires: slick rear, low knob cyclocross front.

Deity short 0 rise stem.

A single ODI rogue clamp on grip on the left.

A pair of rubber coated bar ends on the right with a silicone foam grip between them.

SRAM DB5 brakes (black) with upper lever (rear)bent and cut into a trigger shape

Silver colored Black Ops Torqlite studded flat pedals

Seat post is wrapped in black hockey tape.

Cash reward for the person who stole it, we need to have a chat.

Thank you in advance.

Serial Number C44KO272

This seat was replaced with the exact same color/model under warranty.

So if you stole a bicycle that has been specially modified (at great expense of time and money) so that a man with one hand can ride it, you really need to take a look in the mirror and reevaluate.

If you took it and feel like redeeming yourself, give Braden a call at 4014139236. Otherwise, if you see this bike around town, you also can call it in.

Come on, Newport. Let’s get Braden his bike back!

-Tristan Pinnock, Blast Bicycle Correspondent