A salute to Wheels Around Waterbury
August 6, 2022 | By Waterbury RoundaboutWith Jason Bahner in the lead, Wheels Around Waterbury heads out to explore on two wheels. Photo by Gordon Miller
From training wheels to mountain descents. Under blistering sunshine and dodging summer storms. From the primary school parking lot to the top of Perry Hill.
For six or so weeks each summer for the past 20 years, Jason “Mr. B” Bahner, worked the magic of Wheels Around Waterbury with dozens – no, probably hundreds – of our community’s children.
From the littlest tykes mastering two wheels to daredevil middle- and high-schoolers who returned to guide the new recruits, so many Waterbury kids have fond childhood memories from Wheels that revolved around bikes and much, much more.
Jason Bahner, Friday Aug. 5, 2022. Photo by Gordon Miller
They learned to take on new challenges, even when they were scary. They heard over and over how the most important thing to bring every day is a positive attitude (and a water bottle). And they learned to lend a hand to others in the group after a spill, with a wayward chain, and even on those bike-part art projects.
How many kids? How many miles on the trails of Perry Hill and around the streets of Waterbury and Duxbury? Too many to count.
We hope to say more, but for now we salute Jason Bahner as he wraps up his 20th and last summer of Wheels Around Waterbury. The community’s biking kids and parents alike send their thanks to him and his energetic, talented, and dedicated staff over the years who made bike camp a highlight of the summer.
Kids? Parents? Others? Share a message to/about Wheels Around Waterbury in the comments. (Be sure to sign with your name.)
~ Lisa Scagliotti
Literally, Wheels Around Waterbury | Photos by Gordon Miller
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