cutters

Being a "Roadie" and a photojournalist. I combined both of my passions together for a photo story on bicycle messengers. Please take a look and tell me what you think. It was published on American Photojournalist a while back, but I've decided to share it on the Bike Forum for the first time.

American Photojournalist Featured Story "Pedal Diary"

hi565

Thats really cool.

I always thought about the job of being a messenger. Except I dont want to get into the drugs, and illegal things that alot are thought or do, do.

mnutini

excellent!
when I first moved to Boston I remember watching a parked police car in my rear view mirror. I was double parked near Harvard Sq and was ready to move if needed. From out of a side street this cyclist came flying across the traffic, into the side of the police car and over the hood. The officer looked dumbfounded. I don't know if the person was a messenger but I always remember seeing other messengers flying down streets I wouldn't want to drive on.

ShredSkelton

Great story. Thanks for sharing!

Bontrager

Nice, although I'm not into the whole underground bike messenger lifestyle.

baj32161

Very nicely done. I have seen the messengers in NYC and marvelled at their skills, and bravado....in other words, they are crazy!

Brian

hi565

Is it really true that all of them are like that? or am i believing a myth.

Bontrager

I doubt it but most of the ones I see in various downtown cities look like they live the lifestyle. I'm sure some of them are poseurs just like we have in the Lance world (but then again, didn't he start out as a bike messenger?).

hi565

From what I remember I dont think he was, I think he started tri then cycling. At least thats what I remember from his book.

Bontrager

I read both his books and I distinctly remember him saying he was just a bike messenger at one point.. Now I'm gonna have to find it because it's gonna eat me up until I do

KirkeIsWaiting

Great piece of work.
Your photographs are spectacular.

snowy

Wow, great pics!!! Gotta love the naked man.

kefin

Fantastic! Great photojournalism! This is a really nice story -- and wonderful pics! Thanks for sharing!

-Kevin

Crack'n'fail

some very nice images. Thanks for the link.

'nother

I find the statement that "messengering has become a beacon for young bohemian types shunning the corporate life" a bit ironic, since they are, in many ways, supporting corporate life with the services they provide.

Anyway, my opinions of the "culture" aside: I like the photos.

Hanzo

Those are some pretty cool pics. Messengers have a cool style about them.

Gangrel

I know he didn't start out that way. He was doing competitions (including Tris) when he was in highschool. Knowing the area where he grew up, it isn't very conduscive to bike messengers, so it certainly wasn't his humble beginning.

operator

Excellent. That made my morning.

Guest

That's good stuff, man. Thanks!

Koffee

cutters

Thanks for the comments, and for taking the time to look at my photos. My experience with the messenger community in Seattle has been a positive one. There are a large number of messengers who live up to the live fast & die young party program. But there are also some really great individuals who are very passionate and serious about bicycles. For them the bicycle is a way of life. Their passion, inspired me to start riding again after a very long hiatus from road bikes. And for that….I am grateful.

dfw

I agree. Perhaps there are bike messengers in Dallas, I don't know, but I can't imagine there being too many of them. Certainly there are none in Plano where he grew up.

eroded

Amazing photos; really nice work. Thanks for sharing.

Doid23

Some really great pics, I really like the different styles of pictures that you have. Well done.