Georgia Tech employees biked more than 21,000 miles during the month of October, putting them at the top in the Atlanta Bicycle Challenge. 

With Georgia Tech winning overall for workplaces with more than 2,000 employees, the GTRI’s Thighs team came in first among all teams. The group of 10 riders from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) rode more than 6,400 miles during the challenge. 

Francisco Valdes, a senior research engineer at GTRI, rode about twice as much as he normally would have in a regular month.  

“Beyond fitness or competition, cycling gives me a space for mental clarity, a kind of meditation under physical pressure,” he said. “It’s a time to unwind, reflect, and push the limits. I also appreciate the bike as an engineering marvel.” 

Cycling has been a significant part of Valdes’ life for many years, but he just joined the GTRI’s Thighs team last year. He planned his schedule around his rides to maximize his contributions to the team. 

"It was amazing to see how the friendly competition brought out everyone’s best efforts,” he said.  

The Biketober challenge takes place each October as a way to encourage cycling in the area. This year, 2,726 riders participated and biked 348,585 miles. Their trips equated to nearly 46,000 pounds of carbon dioxide kept from being emitted via other transportation methods. 

For those who are newer to cycling, Valdes suggests starting by building up strength over time, and investing in a bike that suits your needs and is fitted to your body.  

“Choose routes where you feel safe and comfortable, and eat well,” he said. “As you start to see improvements, the enjoyment and gains will motivate you to ride more.”