For as long as there have been bicycles there have been bike messengers.
1912 Western Union Courier.

To contact Kent or read his blog: http://ridewithkent.net/blog/about/

Working as a bike messenger is unlike any other job I know of. It is dangerous, exhausting, exhilarating, frustrating, adrenaline-rushing, but most of all it is an incredible experience. It is a daily “road trip”, an adventure, and it often feels like a scavenger hunt of a sort.

 

If you work as a messenger for a lengthy period in NYC you will eventually see nearly every square inch of the city – certainly outdoors – but, also much of what is beyond the doors – inside the buildings. What could possibly be going on in ALL those buildings? As a messenger you will find out, and it will soon all make sense!

 

You will get a sense of knowing the city INTIMATELY well. I’ve been in and out of nearly every building in the entire city. The only exception would be an office on the second floor of a two-story storefront in the most remote part of Chinatown, or something similar. Otherwise I’ve been everywhere from print shops, photo studios, architecture and law offices, publishing houses, the Children’s Hospital at Mt. Sinai to the Temple of Israel, to Paul Simon’s office to Kurt Vonnegut’s townhouse. I’ve been to the MET, Nike, Google, NY Times, Oscar de la Renta, bars and restaurants, banks, advertising offices, talent and modeling agencies, film and TV companies, etc., etc., etc.

 

Personally, I can say I have learned a lot about myself working as a messenger. I find myself in situations that test your intelligence, courage, agility, strength, physical and MENTAL endurance.

 

There is also a love/hate feeling about the job itself. I remember finding myself in the POURING rain with several huge packages downtown by the West Side Highway with a flat tire at about 6PM with nothing to fix it with on me, and at least one package that needed to be delivered way up on the upper East Side, screaming to the top of my lungs barely over the sound of the pounding rain, “GOD, THIS JOB SUCKS SO FUCKING BAD!!”

 

Then coming home after getting it all done and saying, “Wow! I did it. That was crazy.” Waking up the next day and doing it all over again – this time a beautiful, “smooth” day.

 

The job is an extended work out on a daily basis. I ride about thirty miles a day. In six months time I will ride more than three thousand miles, which is the length of the USA from coast to coast. I carry cumbersome loads all the time in the rain, snow and heat for long distances. I am in the best shape of my life.

 

In dealing with thousands upon thousands of people – both on and off the bike – I have also learned about humanity in general. Some people you LOVE – the “nicest people in the world” – over and over. Then there are the inconsiderate, difficult ones – the ones you want to go away!

 

The bottom line is…it’s not for everyone. But, for some…it is the only thing.

 

In addition to bike messenger, Kent is a NYC actor. The following is his monologue done at the Kraine Theater. It is a selection from Long Day's Journey Into Night, by Eugene O'Neil.