take notes boston...

i kid, i kid but seriously...our brothers and sisters across the water know how to plan a weekend. check out the tricmc'09...

The TriCMC is the combination of the German (DMFK), French (FCMC) and Swiss (SUICMC) Cycle Messenger Championships.
The TriCMC will therefore take place in the three towns Lörrach (D), Huningue (F) and Basel (CH). They are all situated in a distance of less than 1 km to each other at the so called "Dreiländereck" (three country corner).

At the TriCMC we will find out who is the fastest messenger of each country. We will also determine the TriCMC overall Champion. This means that there are 4 (!) champion titles to be awarded in each discipline.

check out the insane program/events planned for the weekend of august 7th. these kids are not messing around. look at this crazy course...

click on image to enlarge...

The Racecourse is on theDreispitz Areal. This old industrial area with its railwaytracks, ramps, bumpy roads and even a multi storey car park will be perfect for a challenging mainrace.

then...they decided to step the game up more and supply some sick prizes...




this bmc-time-trial frame awaits the fastest out of all triCMC sprinters.

i can't say enough about this event. it looks amazing. i really wish i could be there to witness this in person. the course alone is reason enough to make the trip. check out the pics of the polo court, race course, apparel, and prizes here. get all the details of the event at tricmc09. if you're in the area...don't sleep on this. btw...if any of you cats read this and like me enough...do me a favor?



send me a hoodie, wait...i'll take a shirt...medium.



...peace.

one month...

in exactly one month chicago will be celebrating the 5th annual messenger prom...

click on image to enlarge...

Want to register early? Last years prom sold out and went over capacity. Guarantee your place at what will be the social event of the season, with the cast of drunken characters you know and love. Prizes. Dancing. Giant Banana costumes. We'll have online payment set up shortly, but it's going to be $25/couple, $15/stag. So get yrself a date.

that's right kids...last year things got a bit out of hand and it sold out. many were turned away...this year, im sure will be no exception. keep an eye on the site and start working on getting yourself a date. check out christopher dilts flickr for some images of the past celebrations. also...looks like the cuttin'crew is planning something special for that weekend...

click on image to enlarge...

a whole weekend of racing, drinking, dancing, and Lord knows what. the cuttin'crew has a tendency to not disappoint so keep your eyes peeled and ears open...im sure they'll hit us with updates sooner or later...peace.

i like films...i like festivals...

the bike film festival is slowly but surely making it's way to chicago...check out the schedule of events and whatnot...

click on image to enlarge...

there's so many options of things to do for everyone. goldsprints, scavenger hunts, films, concerts, and so on. get your tickets for the actual films here. also, don't know if you cats have seen it but the where are you go movie looks amazing...



check out the main film fest page but don't sleep on chicago...peace.

finger pointing...

well...we're less than a week away. from what? the north american cycle courier championship race? everyone and their mama is weighing in. should the naccc's that will be taking place in boston this weekend be allowed to be called a championship? why is this such a huge issue? well...simple...the race will not be a closed course this year. it will be an open course...damn!



what does this mean? before i continue...let me apologize for all the questions i've been asking...ha! anyway, the great minds all met and decided that since they could not get their act together to put on a closed course race they did not want to look bad so they decided to put something on. that something...an alley-cat. now...we get to whats been bothering many. an alley cat is inherently dangerous. im not opposed to alley-cats cause Lord knows i've participated in my fair share but i also know that i will no longer participate in any. sure...from time to time i might help out by working a check point or something but ride one...naw. anyway, the naccc's attract messengers from all over...is it safe to say hundreds? the last thing you want to do is have an alley-cat of that size running through a city. especially boston...ha? i say that with alot of love. i've been to boston and i like the city but the drivers in boston don't give a damn about you. the risk of people getting arrested and, even worse, injured is too great in my opinion.

another point...open course is a clear disadvantage to out-of-town messengers. has anyone been to boston? messengers in boston get lost in boston...thats how bad it's laid out. does the boston crew really think cats from everywhere will expect a fair race? believe me...im all for home field advantage but this sh*t just tips the scale a bit too much.

everyone and their mama has been jumping on the ifbma to handle the situation. i have no idea what exactly the ifbma does so im gonna stay out of this for a minute. im sure they are a great organization but great at what? i have no idea. im sure they help with something? the way i see it the ifbma is just around to help keep messengers in contact with each other? in any case...thanks? see, i have more questions than answers when it comes to the ifbma. im sure one day it'll all make sense but for now, i say people stop jumping on them. after all...it's the local groups/crews that put these events together.

come on boston...get that act together. i've been promoting you cats non-stop and this is how you do me...US! i would really love to come to boston. as squid puts it..."if you want to change it then come to boston". it's not that easy for cats who live a few hundred miles away but, i do wish i was attending. all my silly rant aside...i hope everyone does enjoy the naccc's this year. should it be called a championship with such a clear advantage to boston messengers? well...i guess show up and check it out. after all, they have other events planned beyond the alley-cat that one can participate in. i hear foot-down will take place on the tarmac for logan international...ha! anyway you see it...this race will either be a success or a failure...i really hope it's the former. good luck to all and, most importantly, ride safe...



...peace.

congratulations...

im sure pics and details will come later but word from new york is that the cuttin'crew did their thing and showed the nation how chicago rolls...




congrats to al urbanski and molly godlewski. heard perkins and christina also represented. keep an eye on the cuttin'crew page for reports. big thank you to squid over at cyclehawk for putting on a great event for chicago to win...ha! tokyo, you're next...peace.

1096...

you know when you reach the 10's that the messenger has been around for a while. you try and give some extra respect cause they've been in the game for quite some time. you try to hook up those that have seen this industry change like no other...from great to good to not so good to whatever the h*ll is going on right now. sometimes...what you think is respect and hooking up just isn't...

j.dot...9-6.

1096...ninety-six, go ahead.

j.dot...hey, after you drop here at base mike has one here going down south to one of the southern burbs. then head back into the loop and grab one out of city hall heading south also.

1096...what? umm...i guess.

...did i mention that 1096 is a driver? anyway, as some of you know...drivers are a special breed. he gets the call from the suburban dispatcher at the time and he complains to him that i am working him too hard. he was holding two going south and coming into base to pick up a suburban job. i should state that our base isn't that far from the loop. it's about a mile. we don't sit very far from each other and after hearing it i just told mike to notify 1096 to not worry about the loop pick up going south. it was slow and i had other drivers who wanted work. i was just doing my respect the vets with 1096 but i also don't have time for b*tches...ha! well...he shows up at base...

j.dot...hey, cancel that city hall going south.

1096...yeah, i know, mike told me.

...he leaves and i get up to look around for the package he was supposed to drop. i assumed he left it. nope...i didn't sign for it but the suburban dispatcher had gotten up to talk to him so i assumed the made the switch and i didn't have to worry. i call him up to check his car for the package...sure enough, it's sitting right next to him.

1096...damn. if julio would do his job this wouldn't happen.

j.dot...wait, what? do my job? it's your job to pick up and deliver...right? you showed up here to pick up and drop off...right? soooooo...who isn't doing there job?

...he didn't like that last statement too much. he kept going on and on and i got a bit stubborn and just kept repeating..."you're right, you're right". i could see the frustration in his face. btw, i should state what he was holding...he had one going on south ellis, south king, and some southern suburb. i was trying to give him a south maryland i believe. everything is within 2 miles of each other...if that!! i can't believe he turned down that other job. he leaves the base angry and calls me from his car...

1096...ninety-six.

j.dot...go ahead.

1096...is it ok to leave now?

j.dot...wait. didn't you already leave? you're not here anymore.

1096...im in the parking lot. just making sure you have everything and don't need anything else.

j.dot...not that i know of. you got all the runs YOU wanted going south...right? what are you asking me for if you could leave? you're a grown man who can make grown decisions.

...oh-boy. i know he wasn't too happy with me but i guess thats what i get for trying to hook up some driver. meanwhile...when i jumped on the bike board late in the day i get a call from twenty-one...

j.dot...whats up?

6721...you got anything going to wilmette?

...holy sh*t! wilmette is a nothern suburb of chicago. it takes some time to get out there. after a whole day of work the last thing you want to do is ride all the way out there. the man has another job to get to and is going to ride out and looking for work headed his way. see...there's a big difference between drivers and bikers. bikers will whine from time to time but they hustle...peace.

my two cents...

so many things to say. first off...does anyone actually know if the cyclist is a messenger? all i see is a kid with a bag, bike, and lock who gets in a fight. until this is cleared up i say we stick to calling him a cyclist.

now...the video doesn't show everything so many things are missed but i've watched this video about 50 times and i still don't know why the f*ck this cyclist pulled out his u-lock. there was no need for it. they bumped into each other...words were exchanged...move on and get drunk later...simple, right? nope. these two idiots decide to keep jabbing at each other until finally at around second 15 to 18 when the camera shows a slight view of between the phone and building...the cyclist makes a move.

does he shove? does he punch? i don't know but it's pretty obvious that the man retaliates with as shove. at this point...the cyclist realizes he's chewed more than he can swallow so he pulls his u-lock out cause in reality...he can't fight and has found himself in the middle of one. the man is not armed...why would you resort to your u-lock? listen...fights shouldn't happen but they do and sometimes you're on the losing end. get over it.

it wasn't bad enough that the cyclist pulls away from the man after smacking him with the lock once...he could have just left there...but, instead he comes back to keep beating on the man's head with it...wtf?!

i really hope he wasn't a messenger. the industry is struggling right now and Lord knows press like this isn't good for anyone in the game. i know times are tough and many are at the breaking point but lets not let that get the best of us. also...why when sh*t is negative it's messengers? ride safe and smart out there. i know sometimes we/you have to defend yourselves but at least try and use some sense as to when the proper time to do certain things is needed. believe me...i know how silly pedestrians and cars can be. i have the cat-scans to prove it. Lord knows i've acted a fool from time to time but...well...peace.

pre-naccc events...

the weekend before the naccc's the velocity champions have yet to be determined. good job to atlanta and the kids over at no brakes for putting on a good velo event...

pics by twotone666...

check out atlanta's velocity flickr set. also...check out the results. now we come to the last event for velocity to take place in new york. the top female and male messengers from each city will compete for a chance to win tickets to the worlds in tokyo. new york has a whole weekend planned...

click on image to enlarge...

don't sleep on attending boneshakers on saturday july 25th for "sweat this"...t-shirt show. long time messenger "squid" from new york of cyclehawk is supplying some good stuff...





i gotta say...the new york crew(s) know how to make a weekend last a lifetime. looks like good times will be had. good luck to christina and al who will be representing chicago at velocity. ride safe to all riders...peace.

remember kozmo...

thank you to jason from seattle for putting me up on these. i've gone through the first three videos this morning and im pissed i have to go to work soon and i can't see the rest...



why did kozmo think they were any different from any other same day messenger company? i don't get it. basically they just advertised more or had better advertising? they promised every delivery in an hour which is ridiculous but...as you cats know...they learned their lesson and are out of business. if you decide not to watch these at least watch part two. why is it that bike messengers are always getting screwed?! give them pizza and their happy? man.o.man...i can't wait to watch the rest of these. click here if you're interested. i say don't skip these. thank you jason for the great find...peace.

gotta make money...

well...we finally hit the plateau if you will. it's an even rate at which jobs come in from here on out. work...well, it just doesn't exist. there's nothing to do except wait out the summer and hope the fall and winter gets here sooner rather than later. i know, i know, im usually posting about how horrible winters can be. how horrible the weather can be and drain you but, in the end, it's that type of weather that brings you money. usually...after labor day is when work picks up again. after this whole economy meltdown no one really knows if the work will be the way it used to be but we all know that come the cold weather...no one wants to deliver packages so they call upon us.

for now what do messengers do to survive the usual slow period which has slowed down even more because of the economic downturn? many have picked up part-time jobs. they put in a full days work as bike couriers and then ride out to their next job. others...well, they just work other courier jobs at the same time. it's not unheard of that messengers will work two different companies at the same time. if you think about it...it sort of makes sense. with so much down-time why not work another company to try and compensate for the slow period?

should this be done? well...when i was messengering i was all about seeing other cats working as hard as they could and make their loot. when i moved into the office to dispatch i didn't care as long as you told me about it. im not the type of cat to rat you out...i understand that people have to eat by any means necessary. im sorta lying...not about rat'n people out but about wanting to know. alot of times im better off not knowing. i would get frustrated from time to time but by the end of the day i would get over it. when you're working on a busy day the last thing you want to think about is how some of your crew may not be able to come through because they are working an extra job. all you want to do is clear the board but, as i said, by the end of the day...you forget that frustration and remember that cats are struggling out there and they need to take matters into their own hands.

should this be done? well...owners of companies don't want messengers they hire to do so. why? easy...you're working for the competition at the same time. you make them look bad or good depending on who you're working for at the time...ha! i can understand this point of view but...well...as i stated, times are tough. bike messengers have it pretty rough right now. i honestly don't know how these cats stick around and how they survive. work is almost non-existent but they continue to check in...day in and day out. i give all the respect in the world to all messengers braving this economic meltdown. keep up the hustle...peace.

just over a year...

a year and about 2 months from now the cycle messenger world championships will be hitting my parents home country...guatemala.

click on image to enlarge...

the schedule is coming together and if it's already coming along this nicely i can only imagine how great this event will be...

SEPTEMBER 3-5
BIKE POLO TOURNAMENT

SEPTEMBER 6
GRAND PREMIO
GOLD SPRINTS

SEPTEMBER 7-9
LA OCHO

SEPTEMBER 10
WORLD WELCOME PARTY
TRACK BIKE EVENTS
BUNNYHOP

SEPTEMBER 11
MAIN RACE, QUALIFYING
SPRINTS, QUALIFYING
CARGO RACE
PING PONG TOURNAMENT

SEPTEMBER 12
SPRINT FINALS
MAIN RACE FINALS
AWARDS CEREMONY
CLOSING PARTY/CONCERT

it's over a year away but don't be afraid to check in on them from time to time. you never know what kinds of surprises they may have. oh yeah...don't be afraid to donate. im sure every dollar helps. if you can't wait over a year to get your chance at the worlds don't be afraid to drop some loot and head to tokyo. im sure those kids have some trick up their sleeves as well...peace.

i don't want to scare you but...

chicago is sending a heavy hitter to velocity. al urbanski of the chicago cuttin'crew has become the mayor of our fair city...


Urbanski became one of the first Category-3 riders in recent memory to capture the prestigious Mayor’s Cup at the 30th annual running of the 75-lap points race Tuesday at the Velodrome. The 24-year old was one of three competitors to post two laps on the field of 27 riders and finished with 29 points.

check out the article from the kenosha news but don't skip on the report given by fellow cuttin'crew member jeff perkins...here...

Some officials made a quick assumption that Al was off the back on one of his laps. The man who woke up that day a Cat 3, surely, was not. Results went over the mic after a good few minutes of deliberation. Hartley got 4th. Kaz Milas got 3rd with not as many points but 2 laps on the field. Rob Springer got 2nd with 2 laps up and more points. Process of elimination led all of us to pretty much flip out. Mr. Urbanski of your Chicago Cuttin’ Crew took top honors and all the hardware. The race was completed in about 28 minutes. That would total out the “2-lap crew” average speed at a little over 32 mph. The field would have completed 73 laps and averaged the better half of 31 mph.

congratulations al...Lord knows you put in your time and good things happen. al is a hard working messenger and it's good to see him do so well. i would say good luck in all your races from here on out but it doesn't seem like you need it...peace.

i can't sign...

we had a very last minute call come in. i knew we wouldn't make it to the drop by 1700. i asked if the company would be closed but the man had no idea. he said to try anyway and if it didn't work out to just send it out in the morning. sure...why not? if it's undeliverable then it's more money for the messenger. i send him an order to bring the package to base which ends up paying a car rate. not a bad way to end the day.

anyway...i send 1117 to take care of business. he's at the mart and the pick is at 600 west chicago coming into the loop. no problem until he gets to the drop...

1117...seventeen.

j.dot...what up? what up? you got a p.o.d?

1117...naw, not yet. im at the drop but the lady at the desk said she can't get up from her desk to sign. she asked if i could leave the package at the door and she will pick it up at 1800(six) when she can finally get up from her desk.

j.dot...wait, what? how did the lady tell you this? is there an intercom or something?

1117...nope. im starring right at her. she's probably 8 feet away from me. it's a couple of glass doors that are closed so i can't get in and the lady keeps saying she can't get up from her desk till six.

j.dot...hahahahahhahhahahhahhahahhahahahaahhaha!!!

...i could not stop laughing. why can't the lady get up for less than 10 seconds? what if she has to pee? what if she drops her pen and it rolls away from her sitting zone? maybe i should do her a favor and report this injustice to the city of chicago labor department? she can't get up from her desk to sign? give me a break. get your lazy a** up and sign...ha!

j.dot...it's not that she can't get up. it's that she's scared of you. i don't blame her...i've seen you.

1117...well, she yelled out her name for me but she won't sign because...well, she can't get up from her desk i guess.

...we left the box in front of the glass doors where she can see the box. we filled her name in. this is too much. i wish i could have been there to witness this mess. she can't get up? is she handcuffed and at six someone comes out to unlock her? is she mechanically attached to the chair and an alarm goes off to let her loose? hahahhahhahahaha...i still can't stop laughing. silly receptionists...peace.

please stand-by...

i've been trying to figure blogger out and can't. i give up. i can't even e-mail anyone with my problems. i've looked through their help section and even when you click on contact support they just redirect you to the forum. the forum can be helpful but the problem i have should not clog up the forum. anyway...i give up. im back to being dispatch101.blogspot.com. if you link to me please don't hesitate to make the changes...sorry. i came close to purchasing .com or .org but im not big time enough to keep up the silly antics.



anyway...i apologize if some of you could not reach the blog and hopefully if i've lost some readers they will find their way back. as you all know...this industry is constantly providing me/us with great stories that i love to share...peace.

im impressed...

if you cats follow this blog you might remember when i talked about some cat in canada who started a photo journey of messengers. the project is/was called project messenger. Jerome Abramovitch contacted me recently to let me/us know that his site has been updated and it is ready to be viewed by the public. check out chapter9photography when you get a chance. i will warn you now...the pics are amazing but not for everyone. i highly recommend them but maybe not to be viewed at some work places? in any case...i traveled through his site and came across his messenger themed photos...

click on images to enlarge...

wow! these pics are amazing. thats ben standing in the middle of the street and blunt sitting on his bike. yup...they are both currently still messengers. blunt has been around forever and ben...2 years? not sure but it doesn't matter...these pics are too nice. check out the man's site here and his bike work here. he has a bunch more but i figured i would post the chicago one's for obvious reasons. great work and great project. can't wait to see ALL of them. i know the man said he's working on a book of sorts to be released sometime next year. too nice...peace.

food.fun.prizes.drinks...

looks like the kids from the ccu are putting a nice event together...

click image to enlarge...

the more the merrier. you don't have to be a messenger to have a good time but 10 bucks is what it takes to get in on the food.drinks.prizes...it's an open park so don't be afraid to bring some extra beverages, food, grills, and so on. that being said...don't hesitate to donate either...check out the main prize...

The winner of the finals of the tiny bike race is going to win $200 worth of tattoo work

are you serious?! now thats a prize i would love to try and win. like i said...non-messengers welcomed but good luck winning the prize...you're gonna need it...ha! check out the ccu and more details about the event here...peace.

how long would you go?

this happened sometime last year but i figured why not share with you cats. anyway...1146 is at base a bit down and out. why? cause he has to use a beater bike that he was hoping he wouldn't have to. he was riding through the nasty chicago-type winter when all of a sudden his derailleur cracked in half...f*ck!

1146...yeah man. it popped really loud. i didn't fall or anything it just popped. i thought for sure it would be my frame to go first.

j.dot...wtf?! you've been riding the bike like that?!

...i don't know why but the man just felt more comfortable riding his beat up frame rather than some beater bike. in my opinion...the frame he was on was not rideable and he's lucky nothing worse happened to him. so you cats can see what im talking about...



see?!?! he had been riding around with his frame cracked like a maniac thinking it would be ok. well...i guess it was cause it was the derailleur to go first. not sure if he ever picked up a new bike but i know he was pissed/embarrassed to be on the beater bike he had on the side. at least he's still riding? it's slow and cats will make do with whatever they can to make money. it's a pain in the a** to have to spend money time after time on your bike when your check looks like hot garbage.

ride safe out there kids. hopefully work will pick up...peace.

houston we don't have a problem...

there were some snags for the houston velocity event but it looks like things pop'd off later rather than sooner. on the same weekend...san francisco showed off what they can do. velocity has two more spots to hit...atlanta and the gran finale in new york. keep an eye on cyclehawk for results and pics and info...



i know, i know...some of you cats are tired of hearing about velocity. well...f*ck you...ha! it's a great event...peace.