I couldn't pick a better person than Kip to be my pilot," Atkins said. "You really have to have a big trust factor in
the person that is your pilot, and he can put that bike in places some people can't even ride a single bike."
The two live in Greenville and have been friends ever since Smith sold Atkins his first "real" bike in 1998. Their
bond grew from their mutual enjoyment of the sport and the outdoors.
When Atkins' vision began to decline, Smith watched his friend sink into depression.
"I would pick him up to come help me at the store, and I'd catch him hopping on a bike to ride down the street
just to recapture that feeling for a second," Smith said. "He was really struggling with depression and had lost
everything he valued, along with his vision."
Atkins said he would spend his days sitting on the couch.