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08-20-03, 11:33 PM
Under Chris L. thread about committing sacrilege,the subject of cyclist's religion has surfaced. Today the"Los Angeles TImes," printed a story called "Freewheelers." The reason for this story is that, this weekend regional Bike Messenger will be gathering in LA for a pre-olympic, actually called "City of Lockdown," (if you will) cycling event. They aim to qualify for the September World Championship, event in Seattle for world-wide bike messengers.
To complete the event stunts include an uphill climb, an obstacle brawl where riders traverse over broken glass, and ride over boards with nails within, carrying your bike over a fence with chain linked barbs atop, destinations will be arrived by riding from posted site to site, where clues are given as to the next stop and finally a bunny hop contest.
The artice goes on to feature the personalities of LA messengers. Rites of passage include the branding of messengers by imbedding red hot bicycle chain links upon foreheads and riding down the Hollywood Freeway by messengers holding on to bus bumpers. One messenger Jonas uses a Track Bike with no brakes and describes 'no brakes' as his life's motto. He acculmated over $2,000 in traffic tickets for speeding through red lights without stopping. He says he feels more alive when near death. One time he grabbed the bumper of a Cadillac for a free ride. The motorists quickly stopped sending Jonas through an intersection. In another incident he ended up under a bus and lived.
The story says the average LA Messenger makes $80-150 a day. One of their greatest attriubutes during their events is their ability to drink great quanities of alcohol.
I would say these cyclists have true cycling religion.? Few would own a car. I sort of admire people who live on the edge. Are some of these attributes to varrying degrees to be found in all of us? Which would you rather own a Colagno or an expensive sports car. I would go with a Wateford touring bike or a Litespeed.
Tried to link this story to you. Have to be a 'Times' subscriber.
Further information can be found at www.ulockmob.com for the LA Messenger Service.
In another life I could dream of doing that, except for the chain cog fire-branding upon the forehead, that is.
To complete the event stunts include an uphill climb, an obstacle brawl where riders traverse over broken glass, and ride over boards with nails within, carrying your bike over a fence with chain linked barbs atop, destinations will be arrived by riding from posted site to site, where clues are given as to the next stop and finally a bunny hop contest.
The artice goes on to feature the personalities of LA messengers. Rites of passage include the branding of messengers by imbedding red hot bicycle chain links upon foreheads and riding down the Hollywood Freeway by messengers holding on to bus bumpers. One messenger Jonas uses a Track Bike with no brakes and describes 'no brakes' as his life's motto. He acculmated over $2,000 in traffic tickets for speeding through red lights without stopping. He says he feels more alive when near death. One time he grabbed the bumper of a Cadillac for a free ride. The motorists quickly stopped sending Jonas through an intersection. In another incident he ended up under a bus and lived.
The story says the average LA Messenger makes $80-150 a day. One of their greatest attriubutes during their events is their ability to drink great quanities of alcohol.
I would say these cyclists have true cycling religion.? Few would own a car. I sort of admire people who live on the edge. Are some of these attributes to varrying degrees to be found in all of us? Which would you rather own a Colagno or an expensive sports car. I would go with a Wateford touring bike or a Litespeed.
Tried to link this story to you. Have to be a 'Times' subscriber.
Further information can be found at www.ulockmob.com for the LA Messenger Service.
In another life I could dream of doing that, except for the chain cog fire-branding upon the forehead, that is.