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Meet Derek

A young man's life changed by his passion for bicycles

Derek has always been interested in watching things spin, examining how gears work and comforted by repetitive movements. His passion combined with his ability to hyper-focus on tasks of interest lead him to become a bicycle mechanic. This has also lead him to servicing bikes for his local community. Derek’s autism and epilepsy have not held him back from finding purpose in his future through bicycles.

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Listen to this podcast featuring a conversation with Derek about his love of bicycles, his perspective on life and the story behind how Bike Dr Derek got started.

Still here! 🥳 We got tired of moving the bike shop. Welcome to the new #bikedrderek permanent workshop. Just built last week! 🎉😃

Check out the new digs in #gainesville ! 😃 Derek is working diligently at getting organized and set up.

We’re looking for a local bike mechanic to work with us a few hours a week to train Derek’s support staff on bike repair. Give us a holler if you are qualified, interested and available!!!

#cyclingthroughautism #gainesvilleflorida #gainesvillecycling #bikemechanic #bicyclemechanic #gainesvillecyclingclub #ufbikes #bikesuf

Hello! It’s been a while. Derek is still here! 😃💪 He took a temporary hiatus from social media his first year at his new shop location in Alachua. Here it is!!! And now that he is finally settled in, we’re relocating to a larger space in Gainesville! 😆 This wasn’t in our plans, but we are helping Derek maneuver through unforeseen obstacles that are out of our control. That being said, Gainesville here we come!!! 🚴🏼‍♂️

#cyclingthroughautism #gainesville #gainesvilleflorida #gainesvillebikeshop #gainesvillebikes #gainesvillebiking #refurbishedbicycles #refurbishedbikes

An oldie but a goodie - A perfect pic to announce that you may be seeing a little less of Derek for a while!

Derek is getting ready to re-open his shop and start working on bikes! With that happening, and a lot of changes and moving parts, you may be seeing a little less of him as he gets to work! Never fear, though, he will still be around! We love and appreciate all of Derek’s loyal followers! 🚲

Take the (Bike) road less traveled!

Starting his own business repairing and selling refurbished bicycles is definitely a different path than many of Derek’s peers have taken - most definitely one that required a lot of bravery and strength! However, Derek couldn’t be happier with the rode he chose to take.

Following your dreams & doing something you love really IS something to strive for! 💙 We hope you all have a beautiful week while doing just THAT!

What better way to spend national bicycle month than to start renovation of Derek’s new work space!!

We can’t wait to keep you updated on the progress! 🔨 🚧

⚡️ELECTRIC BIKES⚡️

Have you had the opportunity to ride an electric bike? Derek was able to pick up his new electric bike this past weekend in south Florida ( perfect timing for bike month! ) He now has another option for riding besides his buddy bike! An exciting time for sure 😄
COMMENT BELOW: what do you think about electric bikes??

HISTORY LESSON!

Answering my first Bike month question!

A couple of you have asked about the history of bicycle gears and manufacturing, so here’s a quick history lesson!

There were a couple of attempts at what we now consider a modern day bicycle, but the win went to the first “safety bicycle” known as the “Rover,” which was developed in 1885 by John Kemp Starley.

Starley also developed a steerable front wheel, equally sized wheels and the chain drive to the rear wheel.

This picture of what this bike first looked like after invention and has been the basic model for bicycles ever since!

BEHIND THE SCENES 🚴

Here’s a sneak peak of what my page looks like BEHIND the scenes 😝 a lot of my followers, as is for many other pages, don’t see ALL of what goes on behind the scenes, in my life.

As I’ve touched on before, there are many times, even for multiple days in a row, where I am not feeling well, not feeling like myself or simply recovering from being sick. This comes with the territory of dealing with autism AND suffering from epilepsy. So please, be patient with me if it sometimes it takes me a day or so to answer your questions or post new updates.

I LOVE TALKING WITH YOU! And, as you can see in this pic, I always try to keep a smile on my face no matter what! ( shout out to my mom in this pic! 🤟)

New toys are always fun, no matter HOW old you are! ⚡️

Have you ever driven a golf kart? Did you like it?

Happy Bike Month!

To kick it all off we have Derek’s answer to his first question:

Q: “How did you get started working on bicycles?”
A: “I think you need to do something you like. I like bicycles, and so I looked for ways to learn to fix them.”

Keep those questions coming, y’all! Have a great weekend 🚲

ITS OFFICIAL!

Behold! The new home of Bike Dr. Derek! Derek has been focusing on our move and getting adjusted to his new hometown, but we are so excited to finally share this exciting news with you!

BRING ON THE BIKES! 🚲

Here to answer another #asdawareness post! Answering a great question from @shellberty:

Q: “What do you find the most soothing?”

A:” I think the quiet soothes me the most”

It is important to find out what soothes your loved one with ASD the most so that you can help them when they’re having a hard time. Be sure to communicate this with them as soon as you can! The more you know, the better! 💙

How Derek communicates! Seen here in his cool blue light glasses 🤓

ALSO we received another great question from one of our followers @davidspanos

Q: “What jobs / industries are you most likely to find those with autism?”

A: Depending where on the spectrum the individual may be, jobs and industries can vary! But five great career avenues for those with ASD are animal related jobs, computer programming, lab technician / researcher or assembly line manufacturing. Many individuals with ASD are incredibly intelligent and can do amazing things within their careers!

Of course another career choice that Derek would recommend.... A BIKE DOCTOR! 💙

🚨Autism Awareness 🚨 Derek has received another wonderful question from one of his followers @paul_mexia

Q: “what advice would you give on dealing with someone non-verbal?”

A: “I think that it is important to feel included in conversations even if the person is unable to talk. Make time to allow them to express the way they feel, somehow”

Thank you @paul_mexia for this important question! We hope that Derek’s answer helps bring awareness to this issue! 💙

💙IMPORTANT POST 💙

Last week Derek asked if you had any specific questions about autism in honor of #autismawarenessmonth. We wanted to share his answer to one very important question from @laurenbarlotta:

Q: “What do you wish other people understand about Autism?”

A “That we desire the same things as others...Love and Respect. We should receive it, really, without having to prove anything.”

... How does this answer make YOU feel? (Thank you lauren!)

Just because Derek is taking a break from work, that doesn’t mean he’s taking a break from his love of bicycles! 😍🚲

Getting ready to take a spin on his @thebuddybike with some last minute repairs!🪛

Keepin’ That Smile Wide! 😀

Derek may have daily trials to face - maybe more than others - but he never fails to keep a smile on his face! Chocolate def helps with that! 😂 🍫

TELL US what helps YOU keep a smile on your face from day to day?! Comment below! #commentbelow #comment

⚡️Four wheels vs Two wheels ⚡️

It was nice to take a break from bicycles and have some fun in one of these!

Today’s post is all about fun! What’s your favorite play toy with wheels? Bicycle? Dirt bike? Quad? COMMENT BELOW and let us know!

Did you know that I have Epilepsy?

...Many of you wouldn’t know this if I didn’t mention it because I like to stay focused on my Bicycle business first and foremost.
However, it is important to me that my followers know because it may explain why I am quieter on social media from time to time.

Many of us have silent struggles that affect our health, our energy and our endurance. So always remember to support each other because someone may be silently struggling with problems that they are not sharing ⚡️

SUPPORT & STAY STRONG! Happy Friday, friends and followers ☀️

Who’s ready for some gorgeous weather?! Derek is done with the cold! TELL US:

What is your favorite season and why? COMMENT BELOW! 🌲 ☀️

Hi followers! Derek just wanted to let you know: He is taking some time to settle into his new home & community before starting his biz up again.⁠
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HE HASNT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU! He will be excited to get back to work on your beautiful bikes in the future 💙⁠
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Until then, ride on friends! 🚴

Derek loves to support likeminded entrepreneurs like @oliverhellowell_photographerds and so we just received our awesome post cards with his beautiful photography!

Oliver has an amazing story so please check out his work and give him a follow!!

#supportsmallbusiness #businesssupportingbusiness #downsyndromeawareness #photography #naturephotography #supportdisabledartists

•CHALLENGES•

They’re different for all of us. And no one person’s challenges are less than another. We all have valid things to deal with. Sharing how we deal with them with others can be helpful in more ways than one... with that being said Derek wanted to share what his biggest challenge is and how he deals with it:

“My biggest challenge is that I think different and many people do not understand. It makes me sad, but I overcome my sadness by telling God.”

Will you please share with us your challenges and solutions in the comment? Sharing within our community is truly important to Derek! 🤍

•Beautiful Surroundings
•Family
•Great weather

NO COMPLAINTS HERE!

Get to Know Derek!

Thanks so much to all of our new followers! Because we have seen quite a few recently, its time for an Intro refresh!

This is Derek: He is a business owner here in Alachua, Florida - Fixing and working on bicycles for all types of clients.

Derek has Autism and Epilepsy which can bring him many daily challenges, But that never keeps him from being positive! Derek ALWAYS perseveres and continues on with his journey!

Here are three fun facts that you may not know:

🚲 Derek has one younger brother ( pictured here) who he LOVES to hang out with!

🚲 Derek LOVES Spider-Man! (but honestly... who doesn’t?!)

🚲 Derek has always loved riding and fixing bicycles. He loves the repetition and spinning of the wheels and peddling 🚴

Thanks for following his journey!

We found this manual as we were packing up our home... It's the first manual Derek downloaded 4 years ago when he wanted to learn how to work on bikes! Its so amazing to see how far he has come!

What are your favorite #BikeDrDerek memories from over the years? COMMENT BELOW!

#memories #bikedrderek #supportsmallbusiness #cylcelife #autismawareness #epilepsyawareness #lookhowfarwevecome #derekism #cyclingthroughautism

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Introducing Bike Dr. Derek

Refurbishing bikes for our comnunity

Derek enjoys the outdoors and loves spending time with his family. By offering bicycle repair services Derek provides an opportunity for others to enjoy similar activities, while also giving a useful purpose to bicycles that were once abandoned or rejected.

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