I joined a new law firm, Hahn Loeser & Parks, which has offices at 65 E. State Street, a 20+ story office tower in downtown Columbus. And for the first time since I began biking to work almost 9 years ago I have a place to park my bike. The building management put bike racks in the loading dock area which is underneath the building.
The architecture is brutalist concrete--stark and cold, but functional and easy to keep clean. It's great for bike storage--secure, convenient and out of the weather. It's even heated.
What I like most about the loading dock is the opportunity it offers to meet and get to know the folks that keep our building operating. Most tenants know them only as the security guards that sit at the front desk. They actually rotate assignments and one of the guards is always stationed in a small office at the loading dock. Over the past 9 months I've gotten to know almost all the guards. Jason #1 (there are/were 3 Jasons) was the most gregarious--he's a devoted father and was thrilled to get a much better paying job at a central Ohio factory 2 months ago. Travis, who is good friends with Jason, told me Jason recently won a promotion and another raise. Kyle was recently promoted within the management organization and will be leaving our building to work at the company's Dublin location, but will be back from time to time to check on our building. Travis was promoted to Kyle's former supervisor position. Daniel is a young veteran who was "dipping" (using Skoal tobacco) when I saw him on the loading dock a couple weeks ago. I busted his chops about it (there's no question it causes mouth cancers) and he said he was planning to quit--when I saw him this morning he said he quit 8 days ago and it's pretty rough, but he's gonna stick it out.
Last week Jim, an older guard, and I had a discussion about Teddy Roosevelt and I recommended the book, River of Doubt, to him.
All of the guards are supportive of me and the other 65 E State cyclists--there are about 5 or 6 of us that bike daily, soon to be more with 2 by 2012. I'll try to get photos and introduce you to the rest of us soon.
Anyhow, it's amazing how many new friends I've made since I started biking to work. And I've met them in the most interesting places, like the loading dock.
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