I Love Riding in the City

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
I live in Staten Island and commute to Manhattan everyday for work. In the morning when it is still dark and I begin my ride, for a very short time the city is quiet. By the time I reach Manhattan the city is bustling with people. When someone invented the term rat race they were definitely referring to NYC. My ride from the ferry to midtown is less then 6 miles. Those 6 miles are akin to riding in the DMZ—pedestrians dart out from between parked cars, taxis fly out in front of you for that all important fare, doors whip open in anticipation of knocking you down and one of the worlds most expensive cities has more pot holes than the Ho Chi Minh trail. In other words it is a paradise right here on earth.

What was your favorite city to ride in, and why?
I have ridden in DC, Pittsburgh, Portland and NYC. NYC is still my favorite. There is just so much you can do in Manhattan, the city has become much more gentrified (whitebread) and less affordable, but is still one of the coolest places on earth.

Why do you love riding in the city?
I am a homeboy, I love my city and it’s frantic pace. Many other cities are more bike friendly by far, but NYC brings out the beast. Like the song says “Welcome to the jungle baby.” A day in the saddle is life affirming.

Or just say whatever you want about riding in the city… Poetry anyone?
No poetry, I have been riding for over 20 years in NYC. I was a messenger in the glory days of the Reagan 80’s (sarcasm intact) making top dollar while Slayer blasted through my headphones. That will always be with me. Every now and then I see my 19 year old self out there hustling and it makes me happy. I look at the younger guys and girls out there riding and they really have it together. They have done so much with so little, all the alleycats, websites and the unity within their community is inspiring.