Moving Target

Rolling to the Stones 2008 - 20th June 8.30pm
7 May 2008 by Buffalo Bill

Rolling to the Stones is now a London bicycle messenger tradition. Leaving from Marble Arch before sunset, a few brave couriers and their friends race the sun to Stonehenge, which is a Megalithic monument on Salisbury plain. More about the history of Stonehenge, and its significance here. This year the ride will again be led by Dazzler. Bring gears, warm clothes, food and a small donation to the London Courier Emergency Fund.

Tofu quit
4 May 2008 by Buffalo Bill

i am tofu, ex-courier. i quit my job yesterday and i don’t plan on returning. i think i’ve been a courier for six years. or six winters, anyway. during that time, i’ve broken three ribs, two fingers, a collar bone and a toe. not to mention all the blood i’ve lost or the times i’ve smashed my head off the ground. i’ve met, worked with, and raced with the best people in the world. i’m certain i’ve done enough Kms to have circumnavigated the earth at least twice.

From Tofu’s blog.

London's Calling II
2 May 2008 by Buffalo Bill

Remember London’s Calling? If you can, you probably weren’t there. If you weren’t, you may get a 2nd chance to enjoy the now legendary hospitals of London. Or should that be: hospitality of London’s courier/messenger community?

I can’t say too much more, but keep August Bank Holiday free.

London Courier Emergency Fund - update
1 May 2008 by Buffalo Bill

The goal of the newly established London Courier Emergency Fund is to provide support and financial help to those bicycle couriers who have suffered an accident whilst at work.

No choice at all?
28 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

So it comes down to this: an indigestible choice between the unspeakable old Etonian over the recalcitrant old Trot. I am speaking, of course, about the London Mayoral elections on Thursday. There appear to be only two candidates who have a chance of winning, so if your first choice for Mayor is not Boris or Ken, then you ought to consider what your second preference vote might be, as it seems it will be 2nd preferences that will decide the election.

Cat o Ten Tails
28 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

Tattooed London messengers
26 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

Prick Magazine, ‘the World’s first free tattoo and piercing lifestyle magazine’, is running a photo feature on the tattoos of London’s cycle couriers. The portraits were taken earlier this year by Roxy Erickson. You can find a sneak preview on Roxy’s Flickr.

And while I am plugging things, can I point out that there are still some large Moving Target shirts left in stock? One of each of green, burgundy and brown. £12 inc p & p in the UK.

Rapha Roller Race review
21 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

I have been to a lot of roller races, all of the Rollapaluzas, and a few other roller races besides, and I have to say that Saturday felt like the biggest and most successful rock ‘n’ roller extravaganza yet. Of all of the venues that have been used for roller races, I can only think of 2 that are bigger than Imbibe. Perhaps the Waterloo Gallery might be around the same size, but I doubt it. Shoreditch Town Hall, (scene of the 1st Rapha Roller Race) and Area 10, scene of the LBMA organised Rollapaluza I, are both bigger, but the atmosphere at neither event was better than Saturday.

Another London cyclist killed by a lorry/HGV/LGV
21 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

Roller racers rock record crowd
20 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

The 3rd Rapha Roller Race, a raucous, rowdy and thouroughly enthralling spectacle, gripped a packed venue in Southwark last night. Over 300 people filled the Imbibe bar to bursting, watching over 50 rock and roller racers spin into the midnight hour.

Track World Champion to roll up at Rapha Roller Race
19 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

This guy is Peter Mitchell, and he is riding for Team Terminator at tonight’s Rapha Roller Race. At the 2007 Junior Track Worlds, he got a gold medal in the team sprint, and a bronze in the match sprint. His personal best for the flying 200m is 10.683. Which is pretty bloody quick.

London Courier Emergency Fund
17 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

is up and running. For more info, post a question here.

Charlie Lloyd of LCC on the delay to fitting of 'blind-spot' mirrors
16 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

I sent an email to Charlie Lloyd of London Cycling Campaign (LCC) asking for his comments on the story that appeared on the BBC about the Department for Transport (DfT) delaying the introduction of the EU legislation on the fitting of ‘blind-spot’ mirrors to LGV/HGV/lorries. This regulation, you will recall, will require that all new lorries have the 4th mirror, which gives the driver an indirect view into the area to the left and front of his cab (or right and front in a left-hand drive vehicle). Correctly used, it could cut the numbers of people killed by lorries in the EU by around a 100 a year. But the DfT apparently has serious reservations about the weight of the new mirrors, and is said to be dragging their feet.

Support your local messenger team
15 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

The third edition of the Rapha rock ‘n’ roller extravaganza is taking place at Imbibe Bar, 173 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8ER, this Saturday 19th April, 7.30pm – midnight. Note that this is a change of venue! If you already have a ticket, ignore the address on it.

Flying the messenger flag will be Charlie, Overdrive and Dazzler in the male section. Sarah Bunnyhops, Chandra and reserve Nhatt will be aiming to win the women’s race. I hope that many MT readers will be able to come down and support them. Tickets are available for the special messenger price of £5 from MT, or 3 for £14. All sold! I am not sure if there will be any available on the door. So if you wanna go, get in touch!

LCC thinks that UK Govt will miss deadline for fitting blind-spot mirrors to LGV/HGV/lorries
12 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

From the BBC

Cycle concern at lorry rule delay

The new rules could save hundreds of cyclists’ lives across Europe
Lives could be lost if the government delays the introduction of new European safety rules for lorries, cycle safety campaigners have said. The EU law requiring most HGVs to be fitted with “blind-spot” mirrors should be in force by the end of next March. The London Cycling Campaign thinks ministers will miss the deadline because they have not yet agreed a timetable for implementing the law.

The Department for Transport said it would ensure vehicles comply on time. The EU says the directive, which will apply to all lorries registered since 2000, will save up to 1,300 lives across Europe over the next 14 years. The campaigners also want thousands of lorries, registered before 2000, to be included. However, the DfT says many older vehicles cannot bear the weight of the new mirrors.

Happy birthday Kieran
12 April 2008 by Buffalo Bill

Just got this from New York. Best caption wins a Moving Target t-shirt!