Farida’s Story
Most people ease their way into a bike club.
Me? I crashed into mine. Literally.
It happened on a relaxed group ride, the kind where conversation flows and everything feels easy. I was laughing, distracted, enjoying the moment—until I looked up and realized the gap ahead had closed. I braked hard, but a little too late. My front wheel clipped the rider in front of me.
“Shit.”
Shaken and embarrassed, I apologized over and over. But instead of frustration, he responded with patience and kindness. We started talking, and I shared how much I wanted to grow as a rider—faster, stronger, more confident. He invited me to ride with him. That was three years ago. What I didn’t know then was that he was the president of what was then Rubinton Simms/ The Little Seamstress bike club, the very community that would soon become my own.
It’s strange how something as abrupt as a crash can change your direction. What started as an accident turned into an entry point—not just into better riding, but into something deeper. Fast forward to Today, I’m a proud member and serve as secretary of what is now The Restless Wrench Bike Club, all because of that one moment.
From there, things picked up naturally. I joined the training rides, worked on my bike at the Restless Wrench mechanic nights. I began to care about the details: geometry, gearing, materials. I wasn’t just riding bikes – I started understanding them.
But the real shift wasn’t the bikes—it was the people.
The friendships I found in this corner of cycling surprised me. When I opened up about my goals, people showed up—offering advice, making introductions, cheering me on. What began as “just bikes” turned into something much more meaningful.
A community I didn’t know I needed—until I had it.
Looking back, I couldn’t be more grateful. For the crash that started it all, for everything it taught me, and for the people who became part of the ride.
