path.js

var pathRay = window.location.pathname.split('/');

// Make sure that split returns
// an array of at least 2 values
// the value we want will be the 2nd value
if (pathRay.length >= 2) {
  var firstRoute = pathRay[1];
}

// Make sure the second value
// is not an empty string
if (firstRoute.length > 0) {
  // Now we know for sure that the 
  // window location contains a non empty
  // value such as http://foo.com/bar
  // where 'bar' is the value 
}