Bike Stories Gone Wild
When we asked readers for great bike commute stories, anecdotes poured in faster than well, this winter's atmospheric rivers. Goats! SWAT team run-ins! Miraculous recovery of a lost iPhone! Who knew commuting to Stanford by bike was so exciting? Congrats to our Amazon gift card winners: Luci Parker, Wendy Chou, Ali Miano, and Kevin Jude.
How did you make biking a habit?
"I've loved riding bikes since early childhood. It didn't take much to make biking a habit because in a way, it already was one. As kids, my brothers and I biked all over the Peninsula – to and from school, the beach, and so on. As an adult, I often use biking as a mode of commute.
What is your most memorable bike ride?
"I stopped at Safeway on my commute home to grab some soup and a few bottles of Gatorade. I knew it wasn't the best idea, considering I would have to lug it all home in my backpack. I bought my items, plugged in my headphones, and headed out. As I began my ride, which took me past the downtown jail, a group of SWAT members rushed out of the garage waving their arms. I slammed on my brakes.
One SWAT guy pointed behind me. I turned to see what he was gesturing at: SWAT officers in the street were chasing my rolling Gatorade bottles and canned soup. I realized they’d stopped me to tell me that my backpack had broken, but embarrassing is an understatement."
How did you make biking a habit?
"I've gotten so involved in commuting that I joined my town's Transportation Commission. I also bought a bike last summer and began riding for the first time in 25 years. I now run a lot of errands on my bike."
What is your most memorable ride?
"A few weeks ago on my birthday when making my usual two-minute sprint from the light rail to Caltrain, I arrived just as the doors closed, but I pried them open and squeezed through. Not bad for my 63rd birthday!"
How did you make biking a habit?
"I've always biked because it's cheaper than driving and helps me clear my head before and after work. I encourage drivers to slow down and pay attention to bikers."
What is your most memorable ride?
"I commute six miles to SRWC from downtown Palo Alto and have met three goats in the bike-friendly Fair Oaks neighborhood. I stopped once to chat and learned that the owners take the goats for a daily walk, rain or shine. They also have an astroturf lawn; otherwise, the goats would eat the whole yard!"
