Thread/group for ex-London despatch riders

[cheshirecat]

OK I know there's a few of us 'out there', well one - Hi Katman.

There's an altruistic thought we could put together some hints and tips or just talk shit if there's a difference.

Probably what I won't be doing is a group ride at DR speed through the densest trafffic I can find for 12 hours - well not on the VFR anyway.

I've also seen some DR's in Welly so what are your experiences?

[Brian d marge]

on and off for 12 years odd back in the early eighties

wouldnt mind doing it again , back for a holiday and give it a bash again

Stephen

[mattsdakar]

I motorcycle couriered for "Premier" based in Camden for 2years back in 2001/2002
Great money back then I've heard since 911 you can't make nearly the same money as all the new security checks slow your progress right down, no longer can you run in and throw a package at the receptionist.
My best tip for would be DR's is try bribing the despatcher for the good jobs, a carton of cigarettes went a long way to grease the wheels!
Great days, go as hard and fast as you can all day long and get paid for it!
I use to hire a Honda CB400 scream machine from near Wembley for 80pound a week (tyres,oil,pads inc) and was usual able to make 1000 pound a week so it was fairly profitable times, work 6months, travel 3months, work 6months, travel 3months.....

[Grubber]

It used be fairly common to see them running around Aucks all day but don't seem to see them now. Is it still a done thing here anymore or not?

[ellipsis]

....worked in central londinium in the early 80s....was really impressed with a courier on a triple kwaka...heard him often...used to sit on a seat in Soho Square...have a smoke and watch the courier action...in between checkin out the short skirts....

[Brian d marge]

Ive even used a Red BSA bantam ..

great lifestyle , had a squat in Camden ( 72 Camden st) party all nite , call in a few cashies , and back to the party

or work ... and travel

even did it on a pushbike , quite enjoyed that I did

Stephen

[Voltaire]

I lasted about 3 days....the R100 was not really suited to it and I got lost a lot....
I used to see a guy on a mint BSA Spitfire in the City a lot, it was always so clean.
That was about ..1991/93.
Them there CX500's and MZ's were very popular.

[cheshirecat]

Ok then - should we start a KB group up and if so what should we call it

[ellipsis]

Ok then - should we start a KB group up and if so what should we call it

...'ere..follow that smash and grab......

[cheshirecat]

...'ere..follow that smash and grab......You just got my controller there

[Brian d marge]

I lasted about 3 days....the R100 was not really suited to it and I got lost a lot....
I used to see a guy on a mint BSA Spitfire in the City a lot, it was always so clean.
That was about ..1991/93.
Them there CX500's and MZ's were very popular.

He had 2 and his missus used to clean em , Met him a few times I dont think he had a garage either , they were in his hallway

Stephen

How about wait and return as a name,,,,,

[cheshirecat]

I'll put a poll up when we get a couple more.
As a matter of interest how does anyone do their filtering these days, what with no London drivers and the lane splitting laws here.

[Voltaire]

I used my BMW for work in the city and west end, used to filter all the time....
only got chased once by a driver when I knocked his mirror.....he grabbed me and I had to run the red light....

I was able to carry a cylinder of R22 on the back and all my tools....left the car at home and claimed the 16 quid a day parking money :woohoo:
Got pulled by the Police during the IRA square mile cordon.....He saw the cylinder and then the tools in the panniers.....I had to take off my jacket to show him the overalls.....I think the Kiwi accent saved me from " going down to the yard"

[danchop]

It used be fairly common to see them running around Aucks all day but don't seem to see them now. Is it still a done thing here anymore or not?

now?about 5 in total in 3 different companies,a hyosung 250,2 guys on dr400sm and a couple on uz125s

[Grubber]

now?about 5 in total in 3 different companies,a hyosung 250,2 guys on dr400sm and a couple on uz125s

Hmmm. Not a large call for them anymore then i guess, or is it just the fact that it has become too difficult to master the Auckland traffic now days.

[Katman]

The job taught me to be thankful for small mercies.

You could be heading out along the M4 and the temperature display at Chiswick might be reading 4 degrees and two hours later heading back into town you'd be so grateful that it was now reading 5 degrees.

The warmth to be had from the drag on a cigarette was sheer heaven.

[danchop]

Hmmm. Not a large call for them anymore then i guess, or is it just the fact that it has become too difficult to master the Auckland traffic now days.
the urgent work has turned to shit,too much competition and immigrants prepared to work for nothing

[george formby]

...'ere..follow that smash and grab......

If the despatch rider who rode off with my spliff on his Tenere in Camden is here, I want it back!

[Eddieb]

Square Moves - Jan 1996 - August 97.

Oscar 32 was my call sign.

[cheshirecat]

Square Moves - Jan 1996 - August 97.

Oscar 32 was my call sign.
Just 36 was mine and I considered it a lucky number.
You wouldn't have any ideas as to what to call our KB group. Got two at the mo and will put a poll up. For the life of me my brains empty on this one as all the witty bits I came across are either out of my memory bank or completely unfunny out of context, though the Barbican comes to mind quite often for being what it is.
The time I was doing it late 80's it was beginning to quieten off so don't what it was like in the mid 90's.

I'll always remember times where one really glided through traffic like a knife through butter, all the gaps in the right places and able to get right in ahead of the rest at the lights.

[pete376403]

There is a thread on ADVrider.com with stories from both UK and US motorcycle couriers. I stumbled on it last night and read the whole thing in one hit. Amazing stories
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375701

You might fnd familiar names.

[Katman]

J
You wouldn't have any ideas as to what to call our KB group.


'Where now?'

[Brian d marge]

preferred open call

Stephen

[Twiglet]

I started with Capitol Parcels in Croydon, about 1982, then graduated to Addison Lee in '86 (Kilo 65) then went to another one but the name escapes me. Was in Uni holidays to start with then went full time for a year or so.
I used to skive off by calling for long distance jobs from about mid-afternoon, and head up to Cambridge or somewhere, and pick up some nice cash jobs en route.
I started on my Morini, thrashed the poor thing so succumbed to a japper - a CX of course - or a plastic pig as they were known.
I had sooooo much money. I was living on the cash jobs alone and buying more bikes with my wages. Those were the days!!!!

[cheshirecat]

so we've got

open call
where now
'ere..follow that smash and grab
wait and return

or
AN Other
leave it as it is

I can put a poll up but it requires another thread

[Blatman]

I used to ride as a courier in London on a new 750 Triumph Tiger. This was about 1980. Hopeless, I didn't make much money, kept getting lost! ;-) Had to stop all the time to check the A-Z

[Katman]

Getting through a complete day without having to use the A-Z was a real achievement. I think I only managed it twice in four years.

It was quite a feeling knowing that you knew London better than 99% of Londoners.

[cheshirecat]

Getting through a complete day without having to use the A-Z was a real achievement. I think I only managed it twice in four years.

It was quite a feeling knowing that you knew London better than 99% of Londoners.

All those little allyways and cris crossing Oxford street, and arrgh, The Barbican.

Then there was keeping the AZ dry and readable along with the clip board for the first few weeks. Not sure how I managed afterwards but kept one readable (the large hard cover) for almost three years

[Katman]

All those little allyways and cris crossing Oxford street, and arrgh, The Barbican.


Learning the one way system through the West End was a major exercise in itself.