Mission 003: Pacific Electric Trail to CLAREMONT
Last Updated: May 28, 2025 – Recon Confirmed
Mission
The Pacific Electric Trail connects Rialto, Fontana, and Rancho Cucamonga before ending in Claremont near Pomona College. For this recon, stage at Grand Central Park in Rancho Cucamonga and ride east. Refuel with coffee at Lucky’s Coffee Roasters in Old Town Upland, then roll into Claremont for a victory lunch at The Back Abbey.
Pro Tip: The trail spans multiple cities — choose an entry point and safe parking that works best for your squad.
Mission route: Pacific Electric Trail from Central Park, Rancho Cucamonga to Claremont — intel confirmed: paved, urban path with multiple entry options. Stage at Central Park, then access from the 210 Freeway (Campus Ave or Mountain Ave exits) or the 10 Freeway (Indian Hill Blvd or Towne Ave exits).
Mission Execution
Route Overview
Start (Recommended): Grand Central Park, Rancho Cucamonga
End: Downtown Claremont (The Back Abbey, near Pomona College)
Terrain: Paved urban trail, neighborhood scenery
Time: 1.5–2 hours casual pace
PARKING INTEL
Upland Industrial Stretch (~¼ mile): Scattered glass, trash, and paraphernalia. Stay alert and keep rolling.
Street Crossings: Equipped with lights, but stay cautious and obey signals.
Staging area: Central Park, Rancho Cucamonga — intel confirmed: appears to be safe parking with plenty of foot traffic and bikers. Clean, active, and mission-ready.
NAVIGATION NOTES
Street Crossings: The trail intersects several major streets with traffic lights. Easy to follow, but momentum gets broken — obey signals and ride heads-up.
Old Town Upland: The trail flows right into the heart of downtown. Don’t miss the short spur that leads directly to Lucky’s Coffee Roasters.
Claremont Terminus: The trail ends near College Ave and 1st Street. From here, it’s a short roll into Downtown Claremont for your Back Abbey reward.
Suggested Stops
Mission reward: The Back Abbey — Claremont’s legendary gastropub with Belgian-style burgers, craft beer, and a shaded courtyard. A worthy victory stop at the end of the trail.
Risk Assessment Report
Street Crossings: Marked with lights, but always double-check before entering.
Upland Industrial Stretch: Expect glass and debris — keep eyes sharp.
Trail Length: Full trail is long (~21 miles one way). Know your limits and plan parking/entry point accordingly.
Disclaimer: Conditions change. Ride smart, obey local laws, and use common sense. Dad Mode always applies. [Read My 10 Commandments of E-Bike Safety]
Photo Intel
Loadout & Logistics
What to Pack
Helmet
Water bottle
Card/cash for coffee + lunch
Sunglasses + sunscreen (long open stretches)
Gear & Gadgets
5.11 Tactical Pouch, Lightweight MOLLE Utility Bag, perfect for stashing a spare tube, tools, and flat-repair gear. Mounts cleanly to the handlebars and doubles as storage for an extra long sleeve when temps drop in the evening. I run 5.11 for bags and apparel — high-quality gear that’s worth the extra money.
Adjustable EDC wrench + 21mm ratcheting wrench — these two tools cover all three of our bikes: the Z1, S1, and my S2 (which needs the 21mm for rear wheel removal).
FAMILY RIDE INTEL (IF APPLICABLE)
Crossings are well-marked with lights, but distance may be a challenge for younger riders.
Industrial stretch not ideal for kids — push through quickly.
Downtown Claremont is family-friendly with shaded rest stops, shops, and restaurants.
Final Brief
The Pacific Electric Trail is urban riding with character — connecting neighborhoods, cultures, and coffee shops all the way to Claremont. Fuel up in Upland, ride steady through the stretches, and finish strong in a lively college-town setting.
Your orders: Roll smooth, caffeinate, celebrate with lunch — and make this mission yours.
AFTER ACTION REPORT
Mission complete? Share your ride photos and tag @ridethemission so we can feature your recon.