2010...

i've always been a fan of the mad skillz rap-up...a look back at 2009...



i'll keep this short...HAPPY NEW YEAR!! hopefully 2010 will bring us all good times...peace.

pizza...

i always like calling 6721 late in the day for jobs going north cause i know he lives north. i can usually give him a decent set of car runs to end his day...sometimes. i do the same for cats who live west...and so on. anyway, we get this run from a certain client just about every night going north...for the most part they've only been envelopes? at least that was my understanding. lately, the packages have been a big box of sorts...

6721...two-one.

j.dot...whats up?

6721...it's a box. it says it's pizza inside. it's pretty light but it's just to big and in this weather im not sure i want to ride with it going north.

j.dot...i completely understand. its nasty out. umm...it's light though? i doubt it's a pizza. the instructions are to throw the box over the fence at the drop. no signature required.

6721...i don't know. i guess i can open it and put the stuff in my bag?

...i instructed the two-one to open the box up. we have stuff we can bag the packages in for nasty weather so it wouldn't get damaged. i figure...open the box and break it down. get to the drop and put everything back in the box...no big deal, right? well...

6721...you're not gonna believe this. it is a pizza!

j.dot...wtf?! that doesn't even make sense. the order says to throw it over the fence.

...i can't believe the client is ok with us taking pizza and simply throwing it over a fence. it's food for heaven's sake. sure, it's boxed up but still. just another weird delivery in these cold days. i had the messenger take the box to one of our downtown sites to tape up the box again and had a driver scoop the box up. all is well? the pizza got thrown over the fence and 6721 still ended up with a couple of other runs taking him home. he still said he could probably take the pizza and deliver it but...i guess we couldn't risk it? who knows...silly clients...peace.

long short week...

well...it's that time of year where the week is short but feels long. we're stuck in limbo...sort of. every year between christmas and new years we slow up. people go on vacation...kids are off of school...people to busy shopping for work? who knows but it always happens. we were busy there for a minute because of the last minute gifts and whatnot but now...we just sit and wait.

to all messengers...hold strong. thats the best advice i can give. the new year is just a week away and...if all goes as usual, we'll be busy, busy, busy. tax season is upon us...yay? i say yay with a question mark cause it's fun for messengers to be busy but not so fun in the office. sure it helps pass the time but the damn phones will not stop ringing. i know, i know...quit your b*tching...sorry, im an ex-messenger, bitching sort of comes with the territory...ha!

bring a book to read this week kids...better days are coming...peace.

2nd place...

here comes chicago around the corner...looks like they're gonna win it. go ahead and put your arms up chicag...wait, wtf?!?! congrats to stockholm for coming from behind and making it happen. what am i talking about? well...



looks like stockholm gets the tokyo funraiser cup...congrats again. it was an exciting finish...

Congratulations to the Stockholm messenger community.
The Cup is theirs! ...and of course the two free registration spots for the
CMWC2010 in Panajachel. Thanks to everybody who helped to diminish the loss
of the TKBMA. Once more we have proven that we can be proud of our community.

there are a few feel good stories to help chicago get over losing at the last minute. first, we can rest easy that chicago did it's best to help tokyo in their time of need. i guess all cities involved can feel good about this...in total the messenger community raised...10,603.oo...damn!! they deserve all the help they can get. second, chicago got second for heaven's sake!! we only lost by 100.oo! we gave a damn good fight. third, i thought i read somewhere that 2nd place would get a certain someone as a consolation prize in a clown suit. who's the real winner here?

again, congrats to all who helped. it's nice to see the community come together for some feel good action...peace.

happy holidays...

pic by christopher dilts...

thank God for christmas company parties and short weeks. it's been super hectic in the office lately. companies getting in all their christmas gifts and end of the year packages. im sure our crew will be happy to have a short week also? we've been running them all over the place and in not-so-nice weather. kudos to all who came out to play in this weather. im off to work for, hopefully, a half day, but i'll see you cats on monday...have a safe weekend...peace.

messengers = soldiers...

from time to time i talk about our crew and chicago's finest as soldiers. it's a metaphorical war out there...ha! all silliness aside...i always wondered if the military would ever consider using bicycles. sure...most of you already knew this but i didn't...apparently bicycles have been part of the military for quite some time...





The first known use of the bicycle in combat occurred during the Jameson Raid, in which cyclists carried messages. In the Second Boer War, military cyclists were used primarily as scouts and messengers.

i wonder how much a solo in war times would cost? anyway...check out the wiki page, bicycle infantry, for more info. thank you to matthew for putting me up on this. like i said, this was news to me so i had to share. does anyone know if bicycles are still used? im sure some form of messenger(s) is still used...peace.

quest for g...

again...im sure you cats have seen these but i don't think i've ever posted them. anywhoo...check out alex farioletti, bike messenger, in his quest to become a track star...



it's actually kinda cool. they show you the athletes and their coaches. i sat through the videos without being bored...ha! not all the episodes are up but slowly and surely...they will be. for now...enjoy most of them...peace.

tokyo...

im sure many of you have already read and seen jerome's pics and blog. they've been on a few sites. i couldn't go on without showing the man some love after posting his sh*t a while back. im glad he was able to get to tokyo and show us the events that took place through his lens...




check out his write up here. speaking of tokyo...it's coming down to the wire. who will win the infamous tokyo cup? stockholm? zurich? chicago? dc? will someone pull an upset? remember kids...it ain't over till christmas eve. keep an eye on the tokyo fundraiser cup to see who gets bragging rights and a nice trophy. btw...we all understand it's for fun and games and that we are all one community just trying to help our brothers/sisters over in the far east...peace.

welcome to 10-9 radio...

109radio.com...

What it is! Ten Nine Radio, a concept I had put together in the late 90’s and also was a short run in live streaming earlier in this millennium and is now being renewed once again in a “podcast” style format.

Ten Nine Radio has been designed to be able to enjoy the program on your own time, whether it is on the ride to or from or bit by bit through out the day on your Mp3 player, Or even feet up at home through a decent system for the whole program. We’re activly looking for any ideas you may have or even dedicate a program to, the request line will always be open at dispatch@109radio.com...

head over to 109radio.com for your listening pleasure. the show is scheduled for the 1st and 15th of every month. also...don't be afraid to hit them up from time to time with requests and shout-outs. if you're lucky you can be part of their new years special and possibly win a prize...

If your quick you could be on the our New Years special January 1st. So come on gang, send us your “New Years Cheers” and dedications to our community as soon as possible! If we choose your Shout Out, you will win a prize and be entered into a draw for this summers grand slam Ten Nine Radio messenger prize package! Likely be a bag full of goodies!

thank you to biker bill for making this happen. i will definitely be listening...peace.

in a kevin bacon kind of way...there is only one degree to our radio...

thats gotta hurt...

nope...it's not that type of hurt. not a physical pain...well, technically it is? let me explain. 1141 is on o.g. of the industry...he's been around for a long a*s time. he's also one of our more dependable cats...distance, weight...no problem. anyway...i called him on wednesday to pick up a box going west...

j.dot...forty-one!

1141...yeah, go!

j.dot...got a box paying a car solo going west. you going home right? want to check it out?

1141...10-4!

...i thought all was well. it was nasty out and he lives out west so i thought it would be a good way to get him out of the weather. a high paying job that didn't even need a signature. well...i was wrong...

1141...say julio...i don't think i'll be able to take this box. the clients are really adamant about not getting the box wet and it's pretty nasty out.

j.dot...i hear you. you sure you can't take it? the car board is slammed...it'll be a minute before i can get a car over there.

1141...no worries. i'll wait it out a bit...let me know what you can come up with.

...well, i found the solution. i had 6788...one of the new guys on the crew but not new to messengering. he was picking up another car solo going west just a few blocks from the box. i asked him to get his hands on some plastic bags and head over to 1141 and deliver the box for us.

i knew he would take it...i knew that 1141 just wanted to go straight home. if it wasn't cold and wet out i know for a fact 1141 would have rocked out the box but riding in this weather all damn day...he had enough. like i said before...the man is a vet so i have no problem telling him not to worry about it...he's been there for me plenty of times. i called 6788...

j.dot...eighty-eight!

6788...go ahead.

j.dot...yo, after you pick from the tower head over to 101 north and meet up 1141. he's got a box going west that he can't handle. make sure you have some plastic bags with you.

6788...no problem. i'll get some bags from the messenger center. i should be able to handle it.

j.dot...one more thing, i know 1141 is refusing the box cause he just wants to go home sooooooo go easy on him. he's been out there a while and is pretty big...try not to make too much fun of him...ha! it's gonna hurt him when he sees that i found another biker to deliver the box.

6788...oh man. i'll take it easy but i should still be able to poke at him a little...right?

...by all means, we all deserve to be made fun of at times...ha! i don't know what he told him but when eighty-eight pulled up 1141 acted like he would just go ahead and deliver the box. hahahahaha! silly him...knowing damn well he didn't want to. his pride hurt just a little...poor bastard. i don't blame him for wanting to get out of this sh*t as quickly as possible. i found the whole situation hilarious but, at the same time, it was like watching the torch being passed. 1141 passing the torch to 6788...one that i know he'll gladly hold up.

thank you to both of them for coming out to play in the sh*tty weather and thank you to our entire crew. all i am is the dispatcher, even then, not all the time, but just know that the hard work does not go unnoticed.

windchill...

0 degrees at the moment...with the windchill it's more like -20...at least it's sunny? enough about the fun and games. stay warm out there kids. messengers are definitely not given enough credit for what they go through...peace.

it's that time again...

who will tough it out? i feel like we should come up with a betting system to see who can rock out more days in the winter. check out todays weather report...



ride safe and stay warm kids...peace.

give and you shall receive...

a couple months ago we received word that the chicago cuttin'crew needed some assistance. many heard the call and many helped. to show their appreciation the ccc decided to provide a nice thank you...

click image to enlarge...

What’s all the noise about? We’ve got some shirts we’d like to give to everyone as a “Thank You” for donating towards the upkeep costs of the Cuttin’ Cruiser. For every $20 donation, we will ship you a t-shirt.

im sure many of us who donated didn't expect anything in return. it was truly a nice surprise to receive this shirt in the mail. great drawing of a great man...marcus moore from yojimbo's. click here to help and receive your shirt asap. the cuttin'crew continues to surprise us and chicago is lucky to have them around. btw...who did the drawing? it really is great...peace.

what bike to bring...

if you're a messenger you most likely have a few bikes. i never understood how cats who make next to nothing can have so many bikes. well...i guess i sorta understand cause i have 3 bikes and rarely use any of them...ha! anywhoo...if you're going to guatemala for the worlds you might want to start planning on what kind of bike you want to bring...

we're not gonna butter it up for you. the streets in pana are not smooth and silky like they were in philly in 2000. they're more like the cobblestone section on the back side of the course in copenhagen in 2001. i think ill be riding my cross bike. this will give me enough speed on the few fully paved roads, great traction on the pave, and ill be flying over the cobbles.

pics by just.max...some street views at night...

looks like the figure 8 track will also be a bit bumpy...

As for La Ocho, it will be on dirt, like a BMX or motorcross race. You will probably want some tread, especially for the turns, but you can ride whatever you want.

if you don't have a cross bike...get one? im just jazzin'...i would, on the other hand, bring a couple sets of tires and switch them as you see fit. looks like guatemala is gonna be nuts.

pic by just.max...

the town of panajachel is so beautiful. can't wait for the great times...keep an eye on cmwcguatemala for details...peace.

season's beatings...

Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 12:30pm

HOHOHO! You're screwed!!

Two days of racing, two nights of parties, one good cause.

This is a fund raiser for the members of the Tokyo BMA, who are currently $34000 in debt after hosting this years Cycle Messenger World Championship.

Friday night alleycat, info to come.

Saturday, registration at the Blue Frog, 676 N. Lasalle, 12:30pm.
$10 to race, $7 for poker race only
Race begins at 2pm! There will also be a poker race for those who don't have the guts to go nuts.

Sponsors:
Chrome Bags
Freight Baggage
Upgrade Cycle Works
Smart Bikes
and more...

Want to volunteer? E-mail augiem21@yahoo.com or nicocabrera84@yahoo.com, we can use the help.

this is a two day event filled with great times. get your details here. as some of you know...the winters in chicago can be brutal so when things like this come around...don't be afraid to jump on it. ride safe kids...peace.

harold the bike messenger...NSFW!!

harold has been out there for a long, long time. he was out there before i even knew messengers existed...ha! anywhoo...looks like the q101 radio morning show found him and decided to bring him in for some good ol'fashion fun(?). if this offends anyone...i apologize. i just thought it was hilarious...maybe cause i've seen this cat out there for a long a*s time and never knew what else he was up to...



wtf?!?! did you sit through this video?! did that really just happen? harold is f*cking crazy!! chicago messengers are crazy as h*ll. i can't wait to bump into harold again. maybe i'll high-five him? maybe i'll laugh so hard i can't ask him anything? in any case...i guess in these tough economic times messengers have to make money somehow? hahahahaha! this sh*t is too crazy...peace.

it's a war out there...

no one understands it more than phiadelphia couriers...check it...

pic seen at metro...

Rachel Fletcher, a 30-year-old experienced and well-known Center City courier, was struck at 23rd and Locusts Streets early Thanksgiving morning and remained at Hahnemann Hospital until Saturday after surgery to repair her face and jaw...

...Fletcher said she was yelled at by an angry driver near 23rd and Locust and then struck by his silver hatchback at about 2:30 a.m. Brito says police are treating the incident as an accident, not the hit-and-run they said it should be.

get the full article here...wtf?! is it me or does this not sound right? a driver hit her and then fled the scene...how is that not a hit and run? this sh*t is crazy. an injury to one is an injury to all...keep an eye on the phillybma for details on the story and how one can help.

the "accident" just brings to light alot of new sh*t that philly is dealing with. the city wants to implement new laws...including license to ride bikes and 1000.oo fine for riding brakeless, or fixed gear...

The messengers oppose two bills before City Council that would raise fines for cycling violations and expand regulations for bicycles, including a mandate for license plates.

get the full article here. looks like things are getting crazy on the east coast. good job to the phillybma for jumping on it and getting a press release out there...

Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association
Press Release
November 2009

The Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association (PBMA) would like to declare our stance on new cycling legislation proposed by councilmen DiCicco and Kenney and respond to the rise of an anti-cycling climate in our city.

We do not oppose the enforcement of existing laws regarding bicycle riding, but believe that equal and consistent enforcement amongst cyclists, pedestrians and motorists is key. Consistent enforcement of traffic violations would improve the lives of everyone in this city no matter what their mode of travel might be. It is our memberships consensus that the proposed laws put forth by Councilman DiCicco and Councilman Kenney would be specifically harmful to bicycle messengers. No working bike messenger in this city could afford a $1,000 fine or possible confiscation of a work bike deemed brakeless according to the proposed laws. The PBMA does not think that a registration program is feasible in a city under so much budget distress and would rather see resources allocated to better causes.

The idea that Philadelphia bike messengers are dangerous is an unfortunate perception amongst motorists and pedestrians. We are often mistaken for dangerous cyclists, as people believe that anyone with a bag and a bike is working as a bicycle messenger. Hazardous cycling makes a professional messenger as concerned as any motorist alongside of them in traffic. It is also apparent to our membership that anti-cycling sentiment continues to grow rapidly in Philadelphia. Recently a co-worker was intentionally targeted by an angry motorist and was the victim of a hit and run. Aggression from motorists in the form of verbal threats or their leaving the scene of an accident is commonplace in our workday and sadly increasing in frequency for other city cyclists as well. It is our hope that we can change the views of the public and see Philadelphia become the bicycling friendly city it can be.

In the coming months the PBMA will work towards improving our working conditions that not only benefit us but other city cyclists, pedestrians and motorists in Philadelphia.

www.phillybma.org
phillybma@gmail.com

hope rachel fletcher heals quick and justice is served. good luck to our brothers and sisters out in the philadelphia area. we might be separated by many miles but we hear you and if you cats need help...don't be afraid to reach out. ride safe kids...peace.