When Paul Daniels opened PAPERtrail Bike Cafe six years ago, he envisioned a place where cyclists could stop for an espresso, fix a flat tire, grab a cookie, and spend some time talking to the person behind the counter. The small shop is a convenient stop — at least for cyclists and pedestrians — inside Wissahickon Valley Park, just steps from Forbidden Drive and the Orange trail, occupying a historic barn in Rittenhouse Town.
“I wanted a high-impact business with community and with customers who I could have a relationship with,” Daniels said.
It was the perfect place to chat about Philly’s cycling culture and the Philadelphia Cycling Classic’s return after 10 years. Daniels, who grew up racing BMX and motocross before moving into road cycling and triathlons, has been riding for nearly four decades. But these days he’s less interested in being at the front of the pack than helping the person at the back — in line with his approach at the shop to slow down and get to know the cycling community.
“I went from literally the tip of the spear trying to win stuff to opening a shop and telling any rider the best place to be is back with me,” Daniels said.
In addition to bike repairs and services, Daniels offers custom builds and sells some bikes, accessories and parts. The cafe offers a variety of espresso-based hot and cold drinks, baked goods and packaged snacks.
PAPERtrail also hosts free weekly group rides, including a Wednesday gravel ride and Saturday mountain bike ride. Both end back at the shop, where riders get free espresso. Daniels also supports a local team of cyclists whose tagline is “create the community you want to be a part of.”
For Daniels, that's the larger appeal of cycling in Philly. “They're the antithesis of a lot of other bike communities or bike cultures in towns in that Philly cyclists are really proud about being cyclists in Philly.”
