A Bumpy, But Fun, First Bike to Work Day

Editor's note: Thanks to Ramil Quintos for sharing his experiences on Bike to Work Day! Did you, like Ramil, take up a new challenge on Bike to Work Day? Share it with us at submissions@bikesiliconvalley.orgI got an email three weeks ago from my Director of Engineering, Aaron Francis, about Bike to Work Day. I expressed my interest in doing it but I was skeptical to do the 18.5 mile ride from my house to work on my single speed. Aaron then mentioned that one of our colleagues, Jon Smith, is a bike builder and that he can build me a bike within my budget. Jon built me an amazing bike and as soon as I got it, I felt really inspired to ride.I woke up the morning of BTWD super excited and didn't even press the snooze button on my phone. I got ready, ate breakfast, filled up my water bottle, and got going. My ride started out great and uneventful. Then four miles into my ride I took a turn on the Bay Trail and didn't realize there was loose gravel. The bike just slipped up from under me. My right forearm and hand had major road rash and I was bleeding. I got up in shock and rinsed off the dirt and blood. Unfortunately, I was ill prepared. I didn't have a first aid kit. I had a towel with me and I wrapped my arm. I don't know why, but I had to finish the ride to work. I got back on my bike and just rode. I rode another 14.5 miles to work. It was a great feeling to finish.I spent most of the day at work patching myself up and getting motivated to ride home. I rode with Jon back to Mountain View and he showed me another bike friendly way to get home while not using the Bay Trail. It will be a while before I use the Bay Trail route.Even though my first bike ride to work wasn't a clean ride, I am excited to ride to work again. I am making it a goal to bike to work at least once a week.Thanks to Aaron, Jon, and the other cyclists at GlassPoint Solar for inspiring me and motivating me to ride my bike. I also look forward to being a member of the SVBC for many years to come!