I Love Riding in the City

NAME: Frank Ohio, I used to work for BancOhio and the softball coach got carried away one night when I was up to bat. That was in 1989 and it stuck.
LOCATION: Columbus, OH
OCCUPATION: Credit Risk Analyst

Where do you live and what’s it like riding in your city?
I live in Central Ohio, but my heart is in Steeler Country in the fall. For the most part riding in town is not too bad. The same stupid people that almost hit you and tailgate when you are in your car are the same stupid people that drive too close to you when you are on the bike. There are lots of open country roads, those are typically safer.

What’s been your favorite city to ride in, and why?
My favorite is Beauford, North Carolina—riding along the waterfront and watching the wild ponies run on the island across the bay.

Why do you love riding in the city?
I can keep up with traffic for the most part—great for the wind sprints.

Or just say whatever you want about riding in the city... Poetry anyone?
Lately I’ve been riding my new fixie at night. C-bus is fairly dead after 7 PM, so it’s fairly quiet. I am a huge REM fan and typically have one of their songs in my mind. As I have been riding as night I started playing around with the words to Nightswimming. And here they are:

Night riding deserves a quiet night
The photograph in the backpack, taken years ago,
Turned around backwards so the traffic shows
Every streetlight reveals my lurching shadow
Still, it’s so much clearer
I forgot my light in the neighbor’s hedge
The moon is low tonight

Night riding deserves a quiet night
I’m not sure all these drivers understand
It’s not like years ago,
The fear of getting caught,
Of recklessness and pedals
They cannot see me riding
These things, they go away,
Replaced by everyday

Night riding, remembering that night
September’s coming soon
I’m pining for the moon
And what if there you were
Side by side, instead of tandem
Around the fixed gear sun?
That bright, light forever on
Could not describe night riding

You, I thought I knew you
You, I cannot judge
You, I thought you knew me,
This one laughing quietly underneath my breath
Night riding
The photograph reflects,
Every streetlight a reminder
Night riding deserves a quiet night, deserves a quiet night.