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Community Corner

Monrovia Bike Shop Owner Rides With a Purpose

The former milkman turned bike shop owner is creating a thriving cycling community from his store in Monrovia.

For 31 years he delivered milk to celebrities in Beverly Hills, but today, Stan Pitts of  has a different vocation—introducing people to the joys of cycling while raising awareness to fight diabetes and other diseases.

Pitts is part of a group called Monrovia Cyclists in the Fight Against Diabetes, which he helped form with Steve Moore of Monrovia. The cause is familiar to Pitts, as the majority of his family members have suffered from the disease.

Pitts has recruited many of the 160 riders on the team. This year, each team member raised at least $150 for the American Diabetes Association’s 2011 Tour de Cure Ship to Shore event in Long Beach.

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The Monrovia Cyclists in the Fight Against Diabetes also received the Top Team Award for Southern California in this year’s Tour de Cure. Pitts is extremely proud of the award, and said the team raised over $55,000.

"Next year our goal is $70,000," he said.

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Pitts is also a part of Ride On Cycling (ROC), a Yahoo group that has formed a cycling team of about 230 members. Their team, the ROC n’ Rollers, raised more than $18,000 to fight multiple sclerosis in the Bike MS ride last October and sponsored cyclists in the seven-day-long AIDS/LifeCycle Ride To End AIDS from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Pitts said that he has always loved riding bikes, ever since he was a boy delivering newspapers in the Rosemead/Alhambra area.

His Escape

"Biking was my escape," he said. "It meant freedom to me. Today I still sing when I ride, and I say it’s freedom."

Prior to owning his own bike shop, Pitts worked for the and delivered milk to customers in Beverly Hills. Over the years he was able to meet many interesting members of his clientele, including the famed singer Ella Fitzgerald, who also suffered from diabetes. Fitzgerald even sang "Happy Birthday" to him shortly before she passed away, he said.

Pitts said that he originally came to Monrovia when he began looking for places to store the antique cars he used to restore. As time passed, Pitts was greatly impressed with the transformation of the town. Although he is no longer as active in restoring cars, he has chosen to operate his bike shop in Monrovia, which he prizes for its diversity and friendliness.

"I saw this town change. It’s just like small town America," he said. "I wanted to have a family bike shop in a family community."

A Community of Cyclists

Pitts enjoys hosting a community of cyclists at his bike shop. Several years ago, two avid cyclists even held their wedding ceremony at his shop, he said.

He especially gets "a great joy" out of introducing new people to cycling. Some of his favorite local rides include riding through Claremont and riding on the West Fork trail in the San Gabriel Mountains.

"This is the best place in the world for a cyclist or outdoorsman," he said.

One of his most treasured moments as a shop owner came when he had the opportunity to ride with Eddy Merckx, the celebrated Belgian cyclist. When Merckx visited California, Pitts and others cycled with him from Monrovia to San Marino. At the end of the ride, Merckx signed bikes and jerseys back at the shop.

"He’s the greatest cyclist to ever live," said Pitts. "It’s hard to explain because he doesn’t come to America very often. I just felt very honored that he rode with me."

Pitts regularly indulges in his passion by riding for about three hours every morning. He and other members of his cycling team enjoy exploring many different routes, and they often end their rides by stopping for refreshment afterwards at the local , or .

For now, Pitts is gearing up to participate in the next Tour de Cure event, which will be held on April 29, 2012 in Long Beach. He hopes that even more people will be able to participate and assist the Monrovia Cyclists in the Fight Against Diabetes. Each team member will raise at least $175 for the ride, and the goal is to raise a total of $70,000 for the event.

Pitts hopes to see you there.

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