Back in 70 - 71 I had a paper route un Eureka, CA
I had 90 customers. Single speed Ballon tire beast that my Grandfather built. It was a tough route and i still have one large scar on my left arm from a spill with loaded bags on a very rough asphalt road. It was ER time that day. It was a very steep route. In fact before there was any mention of mountain bikes I would shave time by going down this one hill (no trail). It saved a lot of pedaling. My Beagle dog Jenny would go with me every day. I had some interesting people I delivered to. One old gentlemen would leave fruit for me in a hedge near his house. That was nice. An apple, orange, or banana would be sitting on top of the hedge for me. Anyway it was a hard route, but I was able to save a little scratch .