SANTA ANA, Calif. (BRAIN) — If you've seen Jeff Lenosky ride a bike in person or on his YouTube channel, one thing is readily apparent.
He's cool under stress. But not now.
"I'm stressing," Lenosky told BRAIN on April 26, two days after the REEB Cycles team rider's touring van was broken into at a Holiday Inn parking lot here. Two REEB bikes, computers, cameras, hard drives and personal and professional data were taken. Lenosky estimates the value of the items at $30,000.
The theft occurred the morning of April 24. Lenosky, in California for a month-long Sea Otter Classic west coast tour, said surveillance cameras across the street captured what happened.
At 1:40 a.m., a man walking in the parking lot began attempting to open car doors. He approached Lenosky's 2017 Ford Transit van, cased it and left. He returned 20 minutes later and smashed the drivers window to enter.
"I've had bikes stolen; traveling for 23 years, it's bound to happen, but nothing to this degree,'' Lenosky said.
He said the Santa Ana Police Department is investigating and so far there are no leads. A message left with the detective handling the case was not returned.
REEB Cycles is offering a steel REEB frame for anyone who can provide information that leads to the return of the equipment.
"It's completely demoralizing to spend a month on the road, away from my family, spreading good vibes and getting underprivileged kids on bikes to have the trip end this way," Lenosky said.
In addition to his trials demos, Lenosky's trip included participating in REEB's nonprofit partner's Can'd Aid Foundation. Lenosky encouraged kids to ride bikes, led group rides with locals and donated 60 new bikes to a class of first-graders.
Earlier this year, Lenosky left Giant Bicycles for REEB after 17 years. His YouTube channel, Jeff Lenosky Trail Boss, has 34,000 subscribers.
Anybody having information about the theft should call the Santa Ana Police Department at (714) 834-4211.
