August 28–September 4, 1997

hit and run

Bikes? Yikes!

Myriad skills go into one of the most challenging — and perhaps least respected — jobs in the city.

Now Philly bike couriers will have the opportunity to test their mettle against some of the best riders and deliverers in the Mid-Atlantic at the East Coast Courier Championships to take place on Saturday, Sept. 6.

The race will take place "somewhere in Center City, in the late afternoon," says Big Daddy Blake, courier, club DJ and all-around local legend. He's vague about the exact time and place of the event; not because that information hasn't been determined, but partially because a certain amount of uncertainty is inherent in the courier trade.

"If you really want to attend, though, check out your local bike shop," he says, adding that the race isn't just for couriers. "Think of it as a chance to be a courier for a couple of hours. Everyone is invited to come and try to race."

Blake got the idea for his Philly version from other races he's attended throughout the summer. Though there have been three in Philly already this summer that "friends of mine have put on," Blake contends that his will be different. "I learned from their races what they didn't have. I just decided to put one on myself and make it really interesting."

Additions to look for:

— "hill climbs, more hill climbs"

— more round-trip jobs

— a delivery that goes to Camden across the Ben Franklin Bridge

— a longer race. "[The others] only took an hour. Mine will be grueling, closer to two hours"

— "a big party afterwards; this will be a day-long event"

Blake concedes that there's a certain degree of vindication that comes with these events, a degree of respect that often doesn't come from pedestrians who bemoan bicycle couriers as sidewalk menaces. Some the employees of the businesses who make the trade a necessity to begin with.

"Oh totally," exclaims Blake on the idea of vindication. "The thing about this race is that you have to get to the checkpoints before anything else and you have to find the quickest routes. If you have to run the red light or hold onto the side of the bus or go up the street the wrong way... You have deadlines to make. If you have to run up stairs to get there faster, that's what you do. People are going to go crazy. Some are coming to ride and hang out and have fun. Others are coming to win the race."

While Blake does not advocate bending the law, he concedes that it's often the norm in the normal course of a delivery day.

Following the race, competitions will be held in skid mark length, sprinting, track standing (that's standing at a red light without feet touching the ground), freight racing wheelies.

Prizes, which have been donated by bike shops across the city, include Kryptonite locks, messenger bags, tubes, tires, handlebars, seats, trophies and medals, as well as over 300 Power Bars to be given out at registration.

Just in case you were worried about the possible death of the Critical Mass rides, following the race and competitions, contestants and any other interested cyclists will ride en masse through Center City, down Ben Franklin Parkway to West River Drive for a blow-out barbecue and party. Blake stipulates that anyone is welcome, but wants to make sure that the riders get first dibs on the eats.

The East Coast Courier Championships will be held Saturday, Sept. 6. Check your local bike shop for more information. Registration will take place the day of the event.

—Brian Howard