Hey courier!

HEY COURIER!

Where have all the frames/parts gone?

There's no need to fret just yet - we're still tweaking behind the scenes so frames listed prior to the switch are still available.

If you know what you want - email onlinefyx(at)gmail. Or wait.

So you want to be a bike courier....

Everyone talks about riding for a living - this is how I fell into it.

2001. A week after September 11. I see an ad in the employment section.

Bike Courier 'GOOD ENGLISH REQUIRED'.

I'd always thought about it, I figured myself a capable rider, and unemployment had my card dealt for me.

I turn up to an office in the middle of nowhere. Mercury Despatch.

The interview was a little strange. I didn't wear a suit, I filled in some forms, and had to sit a 'test' of area knowledge. I showed them my bike. They said it was a bit flash and make sure I have a good lock.

'Dave' the interviewer was VERY well spoken and had a great voice for radio. He broke it down clear and simple. 'Turn up on time, do as your told, and you'll do well. '

You had to use a Mercury bag which was the most impractical, uncomfortable portage device ever. It was made from a plastic/vinly in a bright orange that can be seen by google satellites. They dispatched ONE job at time to you, and the radio channel was VERY formal. No chit chat, and you had to speak radiospeak.

'03. Marble Arch. Standing by'

This familiar morning log on call became entertaining for the locals. You'd think they'd never heard an Australian accent before.

I remember in my first week, sat in Pret A Manger sipping my first for the day, I watched some pikey nearly swipe my bike which was locked up right in front of me. Good thing I got that good lock.

After cutting my teeth at Mercury and falling well below the poverty line, I moved up in the world, or perhaps across might be more apt to Destinations.

Dave said I'd never make more money anywhere than I was at Mercury. I said if that's true he'd take me back tomorrow. He agreed and wished me luck.

I'd been recommend to the Destinations fleet manager by their top biker. I sat a similiar test, but this time I actually was able to answer the questions.

'Where is Broadgate? Finsbury Circus? St James Sq?'

First day, I call on the radio with my new number.

'124, SE1 rolling EC4.'

The reply was the thickest cockney spread I'd ever heard.

"awrigh, an. come in to cit and hold. fink you best grab a cuppa me ol mucker.'

I knew it was English, but through a crackling radio it was was barely decipherable. So just like learning how to drive fyx v/3 overnight I had to learn cockney quicksmart.