When I left college I got a job as a swim coach in Arizona. It was great. I only worked 5 hours a day and wore flip flops and t-shirts. In the morning I coached a group of master swimmers. Master swimmers are comprised mostly of men and women in their 40′s and 50′s. They once were competitive swimmers and now find themselves out of shape and bored with their careers. So they do what most of us do, try to get back in shape. One of my adult swimmers gave me some good advice. He said not to worry about knowing what you wanted to do in life when you are 25. Take it easy, relax, do what you want. By the time you are 28 or 29 you’ll start to figure out your course in life.

I took his advice and it was after turning 29 I realized I wanted to start a bicycle courier business. It seemed completely logical to me at the time. I would start it, own it and run it. It would be a legit business. One might even go as far as to call it a career path. I was growing up and diving into the “real” world. However after a decade of riding my bike around for a living I realized I had spent the past ten years riding my bike around for a living. I don’t regret it. And I did grow up a little. I learned a lot about running a small business. I also learned good things don’t last. After turning 40 I realized it was time for me to move on. Of course  I held on for almost another year. Eventually I got out of the bike messenger game none to soon.

But it doesn’t mean I have any regrets. I stay in touch with a couple of my friends who are still on the busy streets of New York, Portland and San Diego. I remember back to the many beautifully sunny days riding my bike around town thinking to myself, “This is the greatest job in the world.” As I put on my dress pants and tie I envy my friends who wear mismatched clothing to work and don’t bother combing there hair. But just as life rolls on, so did I. And it was a decade well wasted.

When you are a bike messenger no one tells you to comb your hair.

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