From a Melbourne bicycle courier.

Hell no flame here!

Well said.

Megan

"#215" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I've been a bicycle courier on and off for 8 years in between studies and illness. Unfortunately
the word 'typecast' describes us the best. Most of my mates can ride rings around most A grade
riders and would make great time trialists. Being an A grade roadie I can vouch for that. Their
bike skills are second to none and the dedication it takes to ride in all weather and traffic
should be admired. On any given day I have 100 or so deadlines and with each one another changes.
Ex bike couriers are probably the most gifted at time management. As for our appearance and drugs
you would be surprised if you could see what really goes on in big business. They make us look
like Ned Flanders!

But all you hear is the negatives. Maybe I should get some of my clients to tell what a wonderful
job we do and how we save business thousands of $ in time saved, from mum and pop shops to the
huge law firms. The government regularly bashes us in the press but then turns around and says I
have 6 minutes to get these docs to parliament. Hypocrisy! I brake the law occasionally but in the
CBD its epidemic! Everyone does, cars, pedestrians, trams, taxis etc etc. I know its wrong but
what's more stupid, someone who crosses a street without looking in front of traffic or me on a
footpath at 10kmh?

The most dangerous part of my day is the commute to and from work. Lastly sure we get paid to ride
but its hard work. Over the years I've seen many guys claiming to be top riders come and go
because they couldn't get the hang of it, some lasting a day to just a few hours. Anyway I'm too
exhausted both mentally and physically to go on with my rant. Sorry to those who may of heard it
all before but I do a solid days work and get sick of the lopsided public perception of us. In ten
years time I'll be using my degree but for now while I'm young enough and can do it, I ride my
bike 9 hours a day.

#215
440 crew.

Flame away!

Well put, and anyone who flames you for saying what you said is the one with the problem.

Anyway, I'm interested - what kind of bike do you ride in order to cope with such continual
all-weather (ab)use? Any special mods?

&roo

Andrew Swan said:

Well put, and anyone who flames you for saying what you said is the one with the problem.

Anyway, I'm interested - what kind of bike do you ride in order to cope with such continual
all-weather (ab)use? Any special mods?

&roo

Cutting down the handlebars is common, makes it easier to fit between cars. Some couriers prefer to
ride a single speed .. lighter, less parts to wear out. Protecting the paintwork on the frame is
also important .. old tubes, gaffa tape and lots of stickers are some remedys. Mudguards are a must
in winter. The best thing is to start with high quality components, and service bike regularly.
Cheap stuff breaks/wears out very quickly when used for 40+ hours a week. The hardest part about
weather abuse is the poor old rider. It can be very difficult getting out of bed in winter knowing
you are going to be riding through rain for 8 hours a day for the next 5 days. Some guys swear by
the hot/cold shower method .. when you have a shower, finish off with a cold shower every time, even
in winter. This is supposed to
(1) lower you core body temperature, (2) build up a tolerance to cold conditions (the martial
artists will also say it builds your chi energy). It seems to work for some people. There is the
old courier myth of the guy who used to drink a cup of his own urine, first thing every morning.
Somebody asked why he did it, was it to restore a mineral imblance? He replied: "I get up every
morning and drink a cup of my own [censored]. Then I think to myself - from this moment on, my day can
only get better".

- LB

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Luther Blissett
Cutting down the handlebars is common, makes it easier to fit between cars. Some couriers prefer to
ride a single speed .. lighter, less parts to wear out. Protecting the paintwork on the frame is
also important .. old tubes, gaffa tape and lots of stickers are some remedys. Mudguards are a must
in winter. The best thing is to start with high quality components, and service bike regularly.
Cheap stuff breaks/wears out very quickly when used for 40+ hours a week.
- LB [/B]

Luther, I'm curious: do couriers in Melbourne ride road bikes or hybrids? I always thought road bikes were the go...drop handlebars and a lighter frame seemed like a logical choice. Then I noticed most couriers in Sydney (where I live) hardly ever rode road bikes, preferring hybrids with upright handlebars and fatter tires.

I'm considering becoming a courier (when I finish my damned uni degree) and will probably buy a new bike for the job. But the dilemma...road...hybrid...road...hybrid...

Please help my indecisive and uneducated mind 😄

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Fledge
Luther, I'm curious: do couriers in Melbourne ride road bikes or hybrids? I always thought road bikes were the go...drop handlebars and a lighter frame seemed like a logical choice. Then I noticed most couriers in Sydney (where I live) hardly ever rode road bikes, preferring hybrids with upright handlebars and fatter tires.

I'm considering becoming a courier (when I finish my damned uni degree) and will probably buy a new bike for the job. But the dilemma...road...hybrid...road...hybrid...

Please help my indecisive and uneducated mind 😄

Perhaps Luther will correct me if im wrong but most couriers I see around Melb ride mtb's with slicks and risers, and the occasional road bike here and there...

IMO I would have thought road bikes are not really that suitable to the general city riding conditions - weaving through traffic, over footpaths, stop/start nature of the riding... as for hybrids... anyone *ever* seen a courier on one?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Fledge
[

I'm considering becoming a courier (when I finish my damned uni degree) and will probably buy a new bike for the job. But the dilemma...road...hybrid...road...hybrid...

[/B]

i used to courier for a while in sydney and i reckon go with a mtb, the roads aren't that good around sydney cbd and with a mtb you can jump up gutter more easily (which is a must IMO).

orfeo

troyq said:

Perhaps Luther will correct me if im wrong but most couriers I see around Melb ride mtb's with
slicks and risers, and the occasional road bike here and there...

IMO I would have thought road bikes are not really that suitable to the general city riding
conditions - weaving through traffic, over footpaths, stop/start nature of the riding... as for
hybrids... anyone *ever* seen a courier on one?

Okay, first off, I'm from Sydney, not Melbourne. Not that I've got anything against Mexicans, I just
don't want people getting the wrong idea.

As far as bike choice goes .. I prefer a MTB (my Cannondale), put I am quite large (193cm, 98kgs)
and I pound the [censored] out of it, and have absolutely no finesse. The frame is from 1995 and still
going strong, but everything else has been replaced numerous times. I not sure if a road bike would
last with me, and I am not willing to put money where my mouth is by using one for work. At the
moment I am only on the bike 3-4 days a week, but it still cops a beating.

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of the more experience couriers who were riding MTBs a few
years ago have switched to road bikes. One legend rides a cyclocross bike, looks like a roadie but
with disc brakes. As far as bashing it up and down gutters goes, it doesn't happen as frequently (or
violently) as most people think, but an experienced rider can make the transition from road to
footpath and vice versa very smoothly with nothing that will cause wear and tear on the bike. So it
really comes down to what suits your riding style.

--
Cheers LB

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Luther Blissett
troyq wrote:

Okay, first off, I'm from Sydney, not Melbourne. Not that I've got anything against Mexicans, I just
don't want people getting the wrong idea.

As far as bike choice goes .. I prefer a MTB (my Cannondale), put I am quite large (193cm, 98kgs)
and I pound the **** out of it, and have absolutely no finesse. The frame is from 1995 and still
going strong, but everything else has been replaced numerous times. I not sure if a road bike would
last with me, and I am not willing to put money where my mouth is by using one for work. At the
moment I am only on the bike 3-4 days a week, but it still cops a beating.

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of the more experience couriers who were riding MTBs a few
years ago have switched to road bikes. One legend rides a cyclocross bike, looks like a roadie but
with disc brakes. As far as bashing it up and down gutters goes, it doesn't happen as frequently (or
violently) as most people think, but an experienced rider can make the transition from road to
footpath and vice versa very smoothly with nothing that will cause wear and tear on the bike. So it
really comes down to what suits your riding style.

--
Cheers LB

Hmm, mountain bikes, interesting....and what about road familiarity, general fitness etc.? How good do you have to be ability-wise to make it as a courier? Surely not A-grade material as #215 put it? *crosses fingers*

Fledge said:

Hmm, mountain bikes, interesting....and what about road familiarity, general fitness etc.? How
good do you have to be ability-wise to make it as a courier? Surely not A-grade material as #215
put it? *crosses fingers*

Nah, nah, don't worry, she'll be right. If you don't know the roads when you first start, you will
learn them very quickly. Buy a one page map, get the [censored] laminated, you'll be right. Fitness is
a funny thing. When I first started I was overweight and broke, I had to borrow my girlfriends bike.
There is a definite pecking order in the larger companies, so new guys get all the [censored] work and
don't make much money. So I wasn't making much money, I couldn't eat as much [censored] as I used to, I
was doing a hell of a lot of exercise so I got fit pretty quick. The other physiological change I
noticed was that when I drank beer I would absorb the alcohol much quicker, and then sober up very
quickly as well. So I would go out, have 2 beers, fall asleep, wake up an hour later and be ready to
start the cycle over again. Make sure you have a drink bottle, because paying for drinks all day
long sucks, and will send you broke very quickly.

--
Cheers LB

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Luther Blissett
Fledge wrote:

Nah, nah, don't worry, she'll be right. If you don't know the roads when you first start, you will
learn them very quickly. Buy a one page map, get the [censored] laminated, you'll be right. Fitness is
a funny thing. When I first started I was overweight and broke, I had to borrow my girlfriends bike.
There is a definite pecking order in the larger companies, so new guys get all the **** work and
don't make much money. So I wasn't making much money, I couldn't eat as much [censored] as I used to, I
was doing a hell of a lot of exercise so I got fit pretty quick. The other physiological change I
noticed was that when I drank beer I would absorb the alcohol much quicker, and then sober up very
quickly as well. So I would go out, have 2 beers, fall asleep, wake up an hour later and be ready to
start the cycle over again. Make sure you have a drink bottle, because paying for drinks all day
long sucks, and will send you broke very quickly.

--
Cheers LB

Hey, thanks Luther 🙂

Yeah, basically my impression of the job, from browsing internet forums was that it was only meant for extremely hardcore cyclists. Low pay, exposure to the elements, danger, high levels of stress...it sounded worse than the army. Needless to say I was scared ****less and considered abandoning the idea altogether since I've only been cycling seriously for a few years. But in the light of what you said, hey I'll give it a shot.

Quoted message said:

Fledge said:

Hmm, mountain bikes, interesting....and what about road familiarity, general fitness etc.? How
good do you have to be ability-wise to make it as a courier? Surely not A-grade material as #215
put it? *crosses fingers*

(x-posted to rec.bicycles.misc for some international opinions)

I've been watching this thread and I'm curious... I've got a nice cushy office job that I'm not
about to let go of, BUT if there was one job I'd like to try before I retire it's always been a bike
courier. Ever since I saw some kids-ish show on the ABC about a bunch of pommie couriers I've been
fascinated with the whole scene. If you don't mind, here's some questions:

What are the hours like? What are the pay rates like? (performance based, yeah?) Actually.. do you
know of any "courier diaries" that would outline a 'day at the office' so to speak? What is your day
like? How HARD is the riding and the lifestyle generally? Do any Aussie couriers do like the NYC
dudes and ride fixies or is it mostly mtb's? (most of Melbourne's seem to be on mtb's..) Do you have
courier races? Is it true that your hearts pump, not blood, but coffee? :-) Why the tape all over
the bikes? What's the point in protecting the paint if you never see it? Is this just so you can
sell it after 100, 000k's to some sucker as "near new"? :-) What would you say if you were offered
an easy office job for double or triple the money you make now? Given that you ride all day every
day (I guess) - do you ride "for fun" on weekends or anything?

thanks to any couriers for answering these... i've genuinely been thinking about your job as a
career choice, although sanity has so far prevailed and i've stuck with the office-bound
lifestyle...for now ;-)

tipsy hippy

hippy said:

I've been watching this thread and I'm curious... I've got a nice cushy office job that I'm not
about to let go of, BUT if there was one job I'd like to try before I retire it's always been a
bike courier. Ever since I saw some kids-ish show on the ABC about a bunch of pommie couriers I've
been fascinated with the whole scene. If you don't mind, here's some questions:

What are the hours like? What are the pay rates like? (performance based, yeah?) Actually.. do you
know of any "courier diaries" that would outline a 'day at the office' so to speak? What is your
day like? How HARD is the riding and the lifestyle generally? Do any Aussie couriers do like the
NYC dudes and ride fixies or is it mostly mtb's? (most of Melbourne's seem to be on mtb's..) Do
you have courier races? Is it true that your hearts pump, not blood, but coffee? :-) Why the tape
all over the bikes? What's the point in protecting the paint if you never see it? Is this just so
you can sell it after 100, 000k's to some sucker as "near new"? :-) What would you say if you were
offered an easy office job for double or triple the money you make now? Given that you ride all
day every day (I guess) - do you ride "for fun" on weekends or anything?

Hopefully #215 can help out with this one

1 - Hours: Monday to Friday, generally 08:00 to 17:30, unless you have a regular early run (ie
07:00). Some time on maintenance at home. 2 - Pay: For the majority, it's 100% comission based, no
retainer. A decent pushie pulls $1,000/wk or more + super. Bike + parts + repairs are tax deductible
(yay!). 3 - Courier Diaries/blogs: No, I don't know of any, and most web sites appear to be dead
links. 4a - A days riding. It's very up and down. Some days you don't even get a chance to have a
slash, some days you sit on your [censored] all day waiting for work. The most frustrating part of the
riding is when you have real urgent work, you bust your [censored] and take silly risks to save a few
seconds, the

Rain sucks, but you get used to it. Cold sucks, you never get used to
it. Goretex is priceless. 4b - Lifestyle? Being physically very tired every night is not too crash
hot, tends to restrict the nightlife a bit. But there is a good sense of cameraderie, a you do
feel like you a part of a sub-culture (I don't think community is the right word). It's always
entertaining sitting in Martin Place at going home time and watching the suits walk past on the
way to the station. They go out of their way to avoid us and even try not to make eye contact.
It's really weird, and sort of fosters an "us against the world" mentality. Every now and again
you nature throws up one of those rare creatures best described as a "pushie groupie". Generally
an older office girl looking for some rough .. not good for ones self respect. 5 - Fixies
Everything is ridden, except dualies (unless the work bike is broken). Single speed is not
uncommmon (less maintenance). Suspension is a bit pointless in the CBD as their is not much in
the way of bumpy roads/potholes to contend with. My Cannondale is good because I can turn the
suspension off, but sometimes I wish I had the gearing of a roadie, particularly going across
the Harbour Bridge. 6 - Courier Races Yes, every now and again. The last round was at
Helensburgh, behind the pony club. Excellent weather, excellent day. We sometimes have drag
races in the city, where everybody dresses up in drag (don't ask). Sometimes it is suit day,
where we wear suits (Luther is dressed by St Vincents). 7 - Blood As a group - coffee, red
cordial, Vitamin T, and magic herbs. There is "community use" bongs secreted in various
locations throughout the CBD. I also have a fondness for Space Food sticks (I should hassle
Whitewings for a sponsorship). 8 - Tape

tape, then stickers. Favourites are "Cops are tops", "No root no ride", "If you don't like my
driving stay off the footpath". It also makes the bike less tempting to casual theives as a $2000
bike can look like a piece of [censored]. All second hand courier bikes are "near new". Just like I
"nearly" got my end in the other night. Honest! 9 - Money Of course we would swap jobs for more
money. After a while the body starts to wear out, and sweet office job (with regular money +
holiday pay + sick pay) seems real tempting. Many go over to the Fark Side. Then return. The leave
again. Then return. Then leave again ... See, riding around produces endorphins of some sort, and
you do feel good. And it is nice being free (in a way), and getting around. But a normal life can
be so tempting. It is also (nearly) impossible to pick up decent girls when you tell them what you
do. Can't compete with the doctors, lawyers or "marketing consultants". 10 - Riding for fun Most
pushies spend their weekends riding, whether it be in roadie clubs, or single-tracking or whatever.
Strange but true.

In conclusion: I reckon if you have just finished school, or have been politely asked to take a year
off uni, then have a crack at it. But remember - it's not a career, and these days you need a career
path by your mid twenties (flame away boys!). Thus speaks the voice of hard, bitter experience.

Hippy: I hope this goes some way towards answering your questions!

--
Cheers (A not so tipsy) LB

BTW: I saw Terminator 3 tonight - much better than I expected, I laughed my head off!

"Luther Blissett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Monday to Friday, generally 08:00 to 17:30, unless you have a regular

Same as me...

Quoted message said:

For the majority, it's 100% comission based, no retainer. A decent pushie pulls $1,000/wk or more
+ super. Bike + parts + repairs are tax deductible (yay!).

$1000 per week?! Are you serious? I thought it'd be way less than that, given all I've read about
the "pay being [censored]". What would the poorest rider earn?

Quoted message said:

The most frustrating part of the riding is when you have real urgent work, you bust your [censored] and
take silly risks to save a few seconds, the

So, you would not get paid for this job if it was late? Why the need to rush (other than: more jobs
= more money)?

Quoted message said:

Rain sucks, but you get used to it. Cold sucks, you never get used to
it. Goretex is priceless.

Hmm, I've always prefer cold to rain. But then, I've never had mud guards on a bike... 🙂

Quoted message said:

Being physically very tired every night is not too crash hot, tends to restrict the nightlife a
bit. But there is a good sense of cameraderie,

Better than being mentally tired - at least you are "doing" something. I'm post-uni.. what night
life? :-) Actually, I just missed a night's sleep to party so I guess my night life ain't THAT dull.
You'd still get time to party though, right?

Quoted message said:

a you do feel like you a part of a sub-culture (I don't think community

I feel like I'm part of a sub-culture just by being a cyclist. Being a techno head also puts me into
another sub-culture. I think anti-culture is more me.

Quoted message said:

going home time and watching the suits walk past on the way to the station. They go out of their
way to avoid us and even try not to make eye contact. It's really weird, and sort of fosters an
"us against the world" mentality. Every now and again you nature throws up one of those

You don't have to be a courier to get that, trust me :-)

Quoted message said:

the suspension off, but sometimes I wish I had the gearing of a roadie, particularly going across
the Harbour Bridge.

Fast across there? Oh, I have another question: How many k's a day?

Quoted message said:

As a group - coffee, red cordial, Vitamin T, and magic herbs. There is "community use" bongs
secreted in various locations throughout the CBD.

hehehe... I don't see that helping you make your daily quota!

Quoted message said:

I also have a fondness for Space Food sticks (I should hassle Whitewings for a sponsorship).

Are these the same as Bellis bars - squished fruit sticks? I LOVE these! It's the only food I
repeatedly carry on long rides.

Quoted message said:

normal life can be so tempting. It is also (nearly) impossible to pick up decent girls when you
tell them what you do. Can't compete with the doctors, lawyers or "marketing consultants".

Meh. Laywers, doctors, accountants, marketing, suits... SNORE! If I was a chick, I'd be all over
those couriers.. taking all those risks, super fit, etc. :-D

Quoted message said:

I reckon if you have just finished school, or have been politely asked to take a year off uni,
then have a crack at it. But remember - it's not a career, and these days you need a career path
by your mid twenties (flame away boys!). Thus speaks the voice of hard, bitter experience.

Well, I am mid-twenties and I have a career path. Doesn't mean I can't dream! :-)

Quoted message said:

Hippy: I hope this goes some way towards answering your questions!

It has been most informative. Thankyou very much for such a great reply!

Quoted message said:

BTW: I saw Terminator 3 tonight - much better than I expected, I laughed my head off!

I'm sure I'll make my way into the money vacuum a.k.a cinema to see it, I loved the first two.

"ahhl be bach" hippy

Hi hippy -- i'm not a bike courier, but I know a few ex-couriers and also know a bit about the
current scene, so I'll chip in my $.02 worth.

Quoted message said:

Actually.. do you know of any "courier diaries" that would outline a 'day at the office' so
to speak?

There's a great book called "The Immortal Class" by Travis Hugh Culley, which chronicles his life as
a Chicago bike messenger. A top read... includes a good description of Alleycats races in Chicago.
See review at: archive.salon.comprint.htmlOpen ↗

Also, see if you can get your hands on a doco called "Under the Steel Wheels" by a Melbourne bike
courier going by the pseudonym of Hector Hazard. Don't know how you could get a copy... if you're in
Melb, try ACMI at Fed Square. Hector's film is a real insight into Melbourne's courier class circa
1995, with interviews covering loads of aspects of the job, and some great riding footage. The
highlight would have to be bike-cam footage of a courier "splitting trams" on Elizabeth St (going
BETWEEN two trams travelling in opposite directions). Don't try this one at home, kids 😉

Quoted message said:

Do any Aussie couriers do like the NYC dudes and ride fixies or is it mostly mtb's? (most of
Melbourne's seem to be on mtb's..)

Some Melbourne guys ride fixies. I know an ex-courier who still rides a fixie.

Quoted message said:

Do you have courier races?

There are courier races in Melb (called "Alleycats"😉, but they aren't quite the same as the
renegade, self-organised races which happen elsewhere in the world. Melb's Alleycats are
organised/sponsored by a bike shop and supported/sponsored by Crumpler... messengers in the US would
sneer at the idea of a commercially-sponsored race. The first Melb Alleycats this year was held in &
around Crumpler's warehouse, as a sort of a launch promotion for their new facility. The second one
this year was around inner-suburbs streets & lanes, and was marred by a hit-&-run by a rider on a
pedestrian. The Melb pushie cops don't like these races, but Alleycats' organisers try to circumvent
the pushie cops by holding the races to coincide with Critical Mass, when they know the cops will be
occupied with escorting CM.

Quoted message said:

Why the tape all over the bikes? What's the point in protecting the paint if you never see it? Is
this just so you can sell it after 100, 000k's to some sucker as "near new"? :-)

Often for theft prevention, as Luther said. Tape makes a $2000 bike look like a heap of [censored] that
no-one would bother stealing.

Quoted message said:

Given that you ride all day every day (I guess) - do you ride "for fun" on weekends or anything?

Plenty of couriers are mtb'ers on weekends, a few are roadies.

Hippy, sounds like you'd be happy running your own bike courrier service, maybe taking a run or two
yourself. Sounds like a good idea . . .

How do you go about getting a bike courier job. I live in Melbourne. Where abouts do you apply for this kind of thing.
Thanks to anyone that can help

Companies rarely advertise so just get out the yellow pages and look up courier companies. Ring
those who have pushies and ask if they are hiring. Toll (Dart, minuteman and data), Wiz and
gregories would be a good place to start.

If not just go by 440 Collins street and have a chat to one of the boys. Just get a good
rain jacket!

#215.

"mikeybikey" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How do you go about getting a bike courier job. I live in Melbourne. Where abouts do you apply for
this kind of thing. Thanks to anyone that can help

--

Quoted message said:

--------------------------<

Posted via cyclingforums.com cyclingforums.comcyclingforums.comOpen ↗

Hello Im Hector who made the film Under the Steel Wheels. I was actually wondering if Dart Couriers still exists. I left Melbourne for London in 1996 and have had no contact with any of the guys and girl (knickers) since.
If any one reads this who once knew me then post a reply.
PS Im coming back.

"hector" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello Im Hector who made the film Under the Steel Wheels. I was actually wondering if Dart
Couriers still exists. I left Melbourne for London in 1996 and have had no contact with any of the
guys and girl (knickers) since. If any one reads this who once knew me then post a reply.
PS Im coming back.

Are you bringing with you any copies of your film? :-)

hippy -seriously though, i'd like to see it.

P.S. interesting U.S. messenger article from RBM:
seattletimes.nwsource.comcover.htmlOpen ↗