by Erik Zo
Reprinted from In Traffic via Mercury Rising #8 , August 1993
Hanging at the Star ferry terminal in Hong Kong last summer, I say a guy on a bike that I pegged as a messenger. So I asked him and of course he said yes, but he looked surprised and asked me how I knew I told him we look the same everywhere, which is my personal pet theory. Now the guy is even more clued out. You mean the have bicycle messengers in other cities? he asked. Whoaaa - man. I hope he shows up in Berlin this August.
That’s where the first-ever World Cycle Messenger Championships will be held from the 27th to the 29th, the largest ever gathering of bicycle messengers and the perfect place to put my theory to the test. Already over 400 couriers from 30 countries have entered. This guy will bug, hanging out with riders from over 40 cities around the world, swapping the standby talk that brings us together under the guild of the wheel.
How can you swing this? Here’s the setup: you get a plane ticket, and you fill out a registration form, and the promoter hooks you up with a host messenger who puts you up for three days. Because of the potential media exposure, including possible coverage by ESPN and CNN, the organizers suggests suggest you approach sponsors. They might help pay for your main expense, which will be transportation, in exchange for an ad on your... messenger bag! (Gee, does this make us professionals?)
Besides a nominal entry fee, you need to bring your bicycle. You should also bring along some memento of your messenger Suggested items are tags books, T-shirts other similar objects. These will be placed in a museum display.
The competition is open to anyone is a messenger, and has been one for six months. There are prizes for the best-placed team, the best individual (both men and women) and for the wildest outfits and equipment. Those not into the competition aspect are encouraged to take part in the fancy dress category.
The event is not a straight forward race. Races will be run in heats over short courses designed to stress skill and cleverness as well as speed. There will be simulated pick-ups and deliveries, a traffic jam, and elevators to contend with. At one checkpoint, contestants will be required to change a tube. Delivery mistakes will bring time penalties. The pick-up and drop segments will be language neutral, so no is at a disadvantage.
The city of Berlin is going all out for this event. There will be festival tents set in a major downtown public space. On Saturday night, the tents will be the site of a major party, with messenger bands and a and entertainment from around the world During the entire festival, the tents will be the information, meeting and hang-out center.
The courses are to be staged in downtown Berlin with start/finish areas at the Brandenburg Gate.
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