Thursday, December 10, 2009

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.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

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.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

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.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

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.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

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.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

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.