This week, photographer Sarah Blais convinces a bunch of bike couriers to get off their wheels and pose for the Uniform Project. The six-pack of Red Stripe she brought probably helped.
Ben Adams, 24, has been with Century Couriers for three weeks and in the business for three years. He picks up his gear at Mountain Equipment Co-Op and Bikes on Wheels. As a messenger, it’s important to wear bike-specific shoes, socks, tights, shorts (under the tights), and a really solid messenger bag. He prefers merino wool for keeping him warm and dry.
Ben’s favourite street for biking is Russell Hill Road, his number one pet peeve is motorcycles in the bike lane, and after work he dines at the Red Room.
Ben’s friend, Thomas John Stevenson, is a 28-year-old messenger with Carrs Couriers. He used to be a full-time cook, but moved into this line of work half a year ago, and so far, so good. For Thomas, the three biking essentials are a pump, a little bit of money, and water, “because when you’re hustling, you need to stay hydrated.”
Thomas once had a code-red call to deliver a belt to an office. He went through all the reds, taking dangerous routes, only to find out that the receptionist just wanted to complete her outfit.
David, a.k.a UncleDropsi, is an 11 year veteran, currently working with Century Couriers. If he looks familiar, it’s because he played bass on a Kenny vs. Spenny episode in which the challenge was, he says, “who could smoke the most pot.” David plays reggae after work with his band–the messenger bit is “purely a day job.”
Andrew Robert Romashyna is a writer and a bike courier with Quick Messenger Service. The 32-year-old dude has been there for three years and gets his gear from Bikes on Wheels or La Carrera. Last August, Andrew took a job that required an 80km mission–the longest recorded trip for any messenger at Quick Messenger Service. Before biking, he spent three years teaching English in Brazil; he left a bike there, and hopes one day to return.
Andrew loves “hammering” down Eastern Ave while listening to Electrelane, Jay-Z and Kanye, and Rick Ross. He has “Everyday I’m Hustlin’” tattooed on his leg.
Previously in the Uniform Project: Yogis, Bay Streeters, Fashion Publicists and Branksome Girls.
