In just over two years, Saugus resident Tom Bolewski went from a diagnosis that the best he could hope for was to ride a wheelchair using a straw to riding in the six-mile family fun ride of the Santa Clarita Century bicycling event Saturday.

“I got to enjoy some of the areas that I rid before in the past, and feel the wind in my face,” said Bolewski, who rode a tandem bicycle with fellow cyclist Steve Pritchett. “It was everything and a little bit more.”

Bolewski was a longtime active participant in event sponsor Santa Clarita Velo before a dirt bike incident in January 2008.

Bolewski was leading the way on a dirt bike with his two sons behind him. He came upon an obstacle. He hit a rock in trying to avoid it and flew over the handlebars. Bolewski crashed head-first into the ground. He fractured his spine, paralyzing him from the chest down.

Always a goal-setter, the 50-year-old made it his mission to walk again.

“I played hard before I got injured and I’m going to play just as hard after my injury,” Bolewski said.

Last summer, Bolewski took his first step: across the finish line at the Los Angeles Marathon.

“I like to make myself kind of an inspiration to others that may be suffering from other sicknesses and illnesses that could be inspired to recover,” Bolewski said. “If people see me and my condition being a quad, they might become more inspired too.”

Bolewski said he was always self-motivated. Before his injury, he would take his three sons cycling, snow skiing and other physical activities.

“This is amazing,” said Danny Bolewski, his 20-year-old son. “He loved riding his bike before. He loved riding his bike before. Just being able to get on the bike and just ride at all is the happiest thing for him.”

Santa Clarita Century coordinator Irene Johnson said seeing Bolewski on a bike again “brought tears to our eyes.”

“He just keeps getting stronger and stronger,” she said. “He’s an amazing guy. Him and his wife (Kim), they are so strong. They have been an inspiration to all of us.”

This was the second annual Santa Clarita Century. More than 400 people participated in the main three rides, which lasted 25, 50 and 100 miles each. Another 160 participated in the family event, Johnson said. They expect to have raised $18,000 for two causes, the Santa Clarita Child and Family Center and C.O.R.E., the Center Of Rehabilitative Exercise.