chicago bike messengers...

again, i have no idea how to post videos. my apologies. see the original here. well done. ride safe kids...peace.

not that anyone cares...

i have officially named april fools day as my anniversary day...



i dont remember the actual date of when i first jumped on a bike to deliver packages but i know it was in april. soooooooooooooooo...i decided what day better than april fools day to decide to celebrate my anniversary. i rode for two years straight. 2 more years(maybe 3?) in the summers and winters(something like that). then hung up my cleats for a chance to yell at messengers over the radio...ha! i currently still work in the industry but am no longer a bike dispatcher...bummer! i really do miss razzing all those cats but when life gives you lemons...paint them gold, as my brother would say.

i really do miss being on the bike but i have come to embrace my lazziness to a level i thought i would never be able to get to. how does one celebrate 10 years in the courier industry? i have no idea...i think i'll head to michigan, pick up some local brews and sit by a fireplace with my son and wife. actually...that doesnt sound bad at all. ride safe kids...peace.

triple rush...

travel channel is taking a stab at showcasing bicycle messengers and the daily stuggle...



Triple Rush gives you an insider's look at the chaotic workings of 3 different NYC courier companies as they battle for survival in this intensely competitive industry. We'll witness the bike messengers' hair-raising dashes through busy Manhattan streets -- speeding between cars, racing through red lights and doing battle with taxicabs -- all to earn a few dollars and support their lives in the fast lane. We'll also meet the dispatchers, who balance the needs of messengers who want non-stop, lucrative runs, customers who want excellent service and owners who want kick-ass couriers who don't make mistakes.

head here for some more info, pics, and videos. this looks pretty promising. looks like they'll look at the whole industry, from the inside out and not just the bicycle messengers. should be interesting. remember, it all goes down thursday, april 14th, 10pm eastern. thats waaaaaaaaay past my bedtime so i'll just dvr the show...ha!

its always nice to see bicycle messengers get tv time...peace.

you've probably seen it...

but i haven't so i decided to share...



i can never figure out how to post the videos full screen. anywhoo, for a better view head here...peace.

be ready...

the chicago kids are putting together all kinds of fundraisers to make the cmwc2012 as memorable as possible. the first one was a success im sure this next one will not disappoint...



they're giving away a frame? not sure i can make it but can i still participate? hmm? good job to nick for having a successful polcat. for pics of that madness head here. remember to friend the cmwc2012 crew on facebook for more updates on upcoming events...peace.

chicago loves polish people...

seriously, does any other state and/or city celebrate the life of casimir pulaski? ok, ok...a few other places but not like chicago? anywhoo...787 is putting together the 2nd annual chicago polcat...



a warning to all participants...i hope you love sauerkraut. i heard last year was great...i have no doubt that 787 will make this one just as memorable. get all your details here. remember kids...ride safe...peace.

did you hear? there's an election taking place...

chicago is voting in a new mayor...very exciting. we all have sat around wondering how long daley would hold onto the thrown but he has finally decided to move on give others a chance. this post really isn't about who's gonna be top dog around here...instead, its about a man with big dreams by the name of hector gonzalez...

hector is the man on the right...

Raven brought Gonzalez down to the South Side to work on engaging students at underperforming high schools through the hip-hop arts. Ultimately, Raven would found the “University of Hip-Hop,” an organization aimed at mobilizing and engaging youth through the art form.

As he grew older, Gonzalez would work with the University to explore misogyny and violence in popular music, get high schoolers questioning the artists they heard on the radio, and use hip-hop, art and dance to advocate for issues like summer jobs for youth and fighting the prison-industrial complex. But the long reign of Mayor Daley had Gonzalez disillusioned with city politics.

All that changed when Daley announced he wouldn’t be running for re-election, and neither would the Machine-backed alderman in the West Lawn area, Frank Olivo. Gonzalez saw a rare opportunity to put into practice the social ideals he’d been preaching at the University, and took the plunge into the aldermanic race.

why do i bring up hector on a bicycle messenger blog? he's an ex-patriot to the bicycle courier industry. he was riding before i started riding about 10 years ago. he lasted quite some time...5 years or so? i might be off. he's one of the greatest messengers i have ever had the pleasure of knowing and riding next to. im still angry he beat me in a global guts race one year by 2 or so seconds...ha!

here in chicago we're proud of messengers who go on to do big things. hector was always about the hustle...its good that hasn't stopped. the city needs positive people like him. the bicycle courier community as a whole should be very proud of hector and the fact that people like him exist...read the whole article here.

“They’re not going to be able to stop the new generation of movers and shakers. We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

hector4alderman.com...peace.

3 main events...

every year there are courier championships throughout the world. every year the ones talked about the most are the 3 main events...worlds, naccc's, and ecmc's. this year is no different and promises to have some memorable events...



head over to warsawcarkillers.org for all the info needed to attend the worlds...taking place in warsaw, poland.



head over to www.naccc2011austin.com for all the info needed to attend the naccc's...taking place in austin, texas.



head over to ecmc2011.com for all the info needed to attend the ecmc...taking place in madrid, spain.

the bicycle courier championships that take place year in and year out are a great testament to how diverse this community really is. a pat on the back to all the organizers and volunteers. dont forget kids...while it is a lot of fun to visit other places, next year, the world comes to chicago...peace.

earn your stripes...

within the bicycle courier industry a lot is debated as to whether someone is a "real" messenger. i have my own feelings about the whole thing which has changed quite a few times throughout the years. this post isn't really to keep the debate going...maybe one day i'll bring it back up but for now, this is about how to earn your stipes quick and fast. the next two days will be the days messengers talk about...

Snow totals of 12-20 inches are possible between Monday night and Wednesday afternoon with locally higher amounts. Drifting and blowing snow will make travel dangerous and possibly life threatening Tuesday night.

personally, i think messengers should not try and brave these harsh conditions. if the storm really is as harsh as they are predicting...i say stay home. i know you guys wont listen...Lord knows you never listen to your dispatcher...ha! for those of you brave/silly enough to go out...ride safe. remember...i know you get paid to deliver packages but at what expense?

i know, i know...im contradicting myself by saying "earn your stripes" but stay home. messenger mentality is silly like that...if you're out there puttig your life in danger then you're one of us/them. if you stay home...well, it'll be a while before they let that go...ha? some of you have to go out there and work. some of you dont. all im saying is...weigh the pros and cons.

again...ride safe kids. Lord knows if its really nasty out im not driving to work...peace.

career courier...

im pretty sure i saw images of chicago...



for more info head here. for a better view of the trailer head here. great job kenton...cant wait to see the whole thing...peace.