heiguys... (and the hot girl i saw riding the pink chesini today on city road)

I had an interview today with Courier Sys and I start next week. It's my first London gig having come back to messengering after a doing it a few years ago back in Leeds (they have nice hills you know and lorry drivers don't scuff your elbows! I heartily recommend the place!)

Anyway digression... I've been reading through the threads and there's not much talk of them on here. The guy who hired me seems nice enough, but do they have a reputation for reliability, fairness etc? If not please don't hesitate to put me in the direction of anyone hiring!

How is it going in London at the moment, busy enough or dropping off like everything else ...and hopefully Cameron's balls!??

I'm only riding Wed - Thurs - Fri as I have some other commitments, but it would be good to get a rough idea of how many drops a day people are averaging? My knowledge of London won't be anything like yours yet, but I know my way around and have managed to wangle a flat right near Liverpool Street so the second the radio goes the cup of tea will be gulped and I can go out the door!

Other than the obvious tips - such as don't think you're cool on a shoreditch trendy fixed wheel... don't think you're going to live for long... don't ever leave anything removable on your bike... don't expect to feed a family (you know - that sort of thing) ..are there any good tips for a rookie northerner like me?

I'm rocking a light bike and am fit as a fiddle so I'm not to stressed about the mileage... I'm more worried about getting ripped off (not that I don't trust the dude at the interview today - it just seems that everyone has a gripe about their employer on here!! hahaa)

Finally, I have only just joined the world of SPDs (i loved my old toe clips) and today had my first inner city experience! I managed to stack it on Marylebone Road right in front of the hottest two girls and a bus full of people and then I stacked it again 20 minutes later! Is there something wrong with my pedals or do I just need to get used to it? every-time I got in the slightest bit of trouble at slow speed i couldn't get my feet out quick enough and if anything threw myself into the pavement! what a bloody idiot i looked on my shiny carbon bike with blood pouring down both knees!

hmmmm.... so in summery, if any of you fellas want to pull me out of my ignorance, then please feel free :)

x

haha 'world of shit' I figured as much!

avoid courier sys? shit... well that's the only choice at the moment so I might have to pay my dues unless anyone out there wants to recommend someone?

Thanks man...

Noted... yeah i contacted bycaboy but they're not busy enough to take on more riders sadly - look like a nice bunch though. I hear a lot about creative on here? Are they cool? Bit worried about Courier Sys, but will give em a go and if they turn out to be morons I can always leave and put it down to experience (with some london experience gained of course).

One big question I still have is - how many drops should I expect to get per day from a decent employer? I'm sure all places have favoritism but I just need to know what most people in the business are achieving so I know when I am getting the turd end of the deal!

;)

" I hear a lot about creative on here? Are they cool?"

they like to think they are

I hear only good things about courier systems these days, i know a few of their riders and things appear to have changed...rates have gone up, and weekly bonus (sadly for 5 days only) is 40%! However you don't get paid extra for urgent jobs, and are expected to bash 'em out. I say go for it, everyone has to start somewhere.
"Welcome to a world of shit" Ha ha! Yes welcome.

I agree with mr Sleepy, the only way to take Mary-le-bone rd is at high speed, but mixing with 3-4 lanes of dont-give-a-fuck pricks gives you nightmares... I distinctly remember 7 years ago clipping (with my handlebars) a non indicating lorry that suddenly swerved across me, boombaklast! on the deck, taxi skidded and almost ran over my prone body... As to be expected, no one got out of their car to ask if I was ok even though I was pouring blood.
Take a parallel road if pos, but if it has to be done....

mbone is prob my favorite road, pure fun.
now try to have fun thru oxford st when you in a rush.

well this is a damn friendly forum!!!! thanks guys, i'm now looking forward to a good start next week :) but if you see me on my black giant trying to pull my head back out of a set of pedestrian railings, it was the SPDs ok!!!

....oh yeah - feel free to let me know where you all hang out when there's fuck all to do!

I thought Sideshow was SA not USA. Am I again totally misinformed?

Oh dear. It was the "I used to waste that shit" that threw me> Just goes to show, you cant pin a moosefucker down.

"Harrow Rd under/overpass for the muthaf*ckin hardcore!"
Ah yeaaaaaaa, again an again!!!

In Anchorage it's Spenard Road, some of those bastards will try to run you over for laughs, not to mention the yupietards since it's starting to gentrify.One of my friends had his hipy artist roommate, perhaps one of the least violent people we know, asking to borrow one of his guns after her two block ride from work. It would have taken forever to get it back from the evidence locker if he had.A distant second would be a tie between 5th. and 6th. avenues three lane one-ways just plain ugly and stupid

Respect K

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