Shutterbug capitalizes on his passion for bikes

Three years ago, ironically in the wake of another hurricane – this one named Katrina – Thibodaux’s Glynn Rhodes made a life-changing decision. He converted his roomy garage in a motorcycle repair shop.

After witnessing the horrifying scenes unfold in the wake of the 2005 storm, Rhodes said he began to think about what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Within a couple of months, GLR Cycles was born.

Until then, Rhodes had made a niche for himself at the photography studio he owned and operated in downtown Thibodaux. His mother was bedridden in 1995, and making the switch from shutterbug to cycle guru allowed him to work nearby out of his garage.

“Being a photographer was cool for a while, but I wanted more,” he said. “I grew up riding motorcycles and four-wheelers, so I knew that was the career for me.”

In fact, the first bike Rhodes ever repaired was his own.

Over the years, he learned more about bikes and bike repairs.

The impetus to open his own shop was based primarily on a shortage of local repair shops. According to Rhodes, the closest motorcycle repair shop at the time was in Baton Rouge. Thibodaux needed its own motorcycle repair shop, he decided.

“Yes, we can go to Houma for repairs, but Thibodaux was a growing city that needed its own repair shop,” he said.

Rhodes works on all types of motorbikes. He specializes in engine oil changes, tire replacements and custom fitting mounts. However, he does not perform engine work. That would require more space than his shop allows.

“I just specialize in the necessities. Residents can go to Houma for spark plug changes and all that other stuff,” he said.

On average, Rhodes repairs at least six to eight motorcycles a week.

He said gas prices have forced people to go to the most economically form of transportation – in this case, motorcycles. After all, he estimates motorcycles average about 45 to 70 miles per gallon, while scooters can get on average 80 to 100 miles per gallon.

“Motorcycles have always been popular but people are using them more and more every day. You would not believe how many people have gone to riding motorcycles and mopeds to work rather than their regular cars or trucks,” he said.

GLR also carries motorcycle clothes and accessories in the store behind the shop. He also sells Coolster ATVs and dirt bikes for the younger set, and Shaunl street legal scooters for those looking to reduce the amount they spend on gasoline.

In his three-year career, Rhodes said his hardest job was changing the spark plugs on one of the newer Honda motorcycle because the gas tank has to be removed to get to the engine.

“This job should take you minutes, but when you have to remove the gas tank, it takes you hours,” he said. “Those are hours that I don’t have.”

He cites his coolest job as working on a 2008 Harley Davidson “Fat Boy.” He said the Harley was the best bike he’s every seen, excluding his 100th anniversary Indian Scout.

“That bike was hot,” Rhodes said. “I spent most of my time looking at the details on the bike and examining the custom fittings that were on it. Man, that bike was awesome.”

Ironically, the move from free-loving motorcycle rider to motorcycle repair shop owner has greatly curtailed the time Rhodes actually spends on the road.

His Indian Scout has mainly been collecting dust in his garage. He said he only brings it out to clean it and make sure it’s running smoothly.

However, the story behind the classic two-wheeled cruiser is heart wrenching.

One of his longtime riding buddies, Tommy Hood of Thibodaux, always wanted an Indian Scout. Sadly, Hood was killed shortly after Hurricane Katrina in a freak road accident on the highway returning to Thibodaux after evacuating for the storm.

“This is his bike, I am just taking care of it until I get to heaven and pass it on to him,” Rhodes said.

In Hood’s honor, Rhodes has inscribed a daily reminder of how to live life. It says: Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting “Holy S— … What a Ride!”

Glynn Rhodes, owner of GLR Cycles in Thibodaux, is making a living following his passion: Motorcyles. In addition to offering basic motorcycle maintenance, Rhodes sells ATVs, dirt bikes and mopeds in addition to motorcycle parts and accessories. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN