The 2023 Paper Route Ride: A Wheelie Good Time

June 03, 2023

The 2023 Paper Route Ride: A Wheelie Good Time

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Sooner or later, I believed, someone was going to let me use that headline again - A Wheelie Good Time - all I had to do was hang out with the Damien mountain bike team long enough and someone would come through. Again, I mean, I had missed the first opportunity, but I would be ready the second time around. And then there it was...

If you missed it, today was the 2023 edition of the Paper Route Ride, the annual event that raises funds for various cyclists and cycling groups - the mountain bike team from Damien High School, the Bahati Foundation, and international para-cyclist and USA National Team member, Jenna Rollman being this years beneficiaries.

With two circuitous routes on offer, through Upland, Ontario and Claremont, there was plenty to test everyone's legs. Though distances were kept to "morning manageable" levels, both routes wound through the hillier residential areas of Upland and San Antonio Heights, with the longer route extending up to Shinn and Mt. Baldy Road before taking a short foray into the neighboring city of La Verne to tackle the dreaded Esperanza. Having not spent much time turning the cranks of the road bike lately, I was quite satisfied with the shorter 31 mile route, thank you very much. Besides, it allowed me to get back before the masses, quaff a couple cold beverages, hang out, purchase a bottle of sealant for the mtb (and how cool was that ride special discount, huh?), and await the arrival of that pasta and salad lunch - all while feeling very satisfied to be a small part of such a giving community.

For one reason or another, I have missed the last few years of this event, but considering that, the turnout for this years' ride seemed better than ever. That may have been partly due to all the Damien riders, which was very cool to see considering they were among the days' beneficiaries. Whatever the case, it was good to be back out with the group.

You know, a lot of people put their time into making the Paper Route Ride the success that it has become, including numerous members of the Cycling Connection, Mark Ceccarelli, owner of the Competitive Edge bike shop, and the cycling power couple that is Trish and Richard Mayo. Doing everything from reconnoitering and then marking the course, printing event teeshirts, arranging for post-ride food and drink, providing sag around the route(s), various other organizing chores, to other things you don't normally consider like turning over control of your parking lot to a bunch of cyclists for the morning, and letting those same cyclists use your shops' restroom - it is all part of making a successful community event. So, thank you all.