Long Distance: Fat Tony

HERE: Graphic designer, BMX rider

THERE: Associate online editor, Ride BMX in Long Beach, Calif.

EVERYWHERE ELSE: He’s known as Adam Taylor

Why did you leave Baton Rouge?

In 2006, about a month before I graduated from LSU, I had an interview with Ride BMX magazine in Orange County, Calif., and shortly after graduating they offered me the job. I get to travel all around the world shooting photos, filming videos, conducting interviews and writing for RideBMX.com. Occasionally I shoot photos and write articles for the print magazine as well.

What do you miss about the city?

I definitely miss the local BMX scene in Baton Rouge. We had four houses filled with bike riders within the Aster Street and Iowa Street blocks right outside LSU’s campus. We had amazing backyard ramps to ride, and good street riding spots all around us. The BMX community in Baton Rouge is really tight-knit, but in California everything is a lot more spread-out, and there are so many riders that it’s hard to have the closeness we had.

What don’t you miss about it?

The weather. I could go the rest of my life without ever having to experience the Louisiana heat, humidity and rain again. Every day in Long Beach feels like a vacation because the weather is beautiful year-round. I live about a mile from the beach, and my apartment doesn’t have air conditioning. If it gets a little warm you just open the window, turn on a fan, and you are good to go.

What does Long Beach have that you wish Baton Rouge had?

There are free, public ramp parks scattered all across Southern California, and almost everywhere else in the country too. Baton Rouge and BREC have been talking about building a ramp facility since 2001, and the city is still without. Public ramp parks for bike riders and skateboarders are such positive things for kids, and there is no reason Baton Rouge shouldn’t have at least one by now. Other than that: donut shops. SoCal has a good donut shop on just about every corner.

What’s essential when you come back to visit?

Family, friends and food—in that order. Obviously seeing the family and making the rounds to see as many friends as possible is the top priority. Then there is the food. Ichiban’s baked salmon and crunchy rolls, and Izzo’s burritos. Both are a must. I try to eat Louisiana seafood when I’m home, too—you can’t get the same stuff out West.