Typical Day: It’s usually about 40 deliveries and 50 miles a day on the bike, 70 if it’s really busy. We have a lot of regular jobs. A typical run is a court filing at a lawyer’s office that needs to be confirmed by a certain time, so I’ll go to the court, get the documents stamped, and take them back with the confirmation. Most of the time it’s small envelopes, but I’ve definitely balanced boxes on my handlebars.

Strangest Delivery: I once had to pick up a set of keys at a real estate office and go free somebody that had locked himself inside a house.

Salary: Most companies pay on a commission basis, which is what I prefer, because the more you deliver the more you make. Messengers generally get 50 percent of the delivery charge.

Equipment: I ride a track bike, which means it has one fixed gear and no brakes. It takes a while to learn, but it’s all about finesse. It’s a really efficient way to ride, because I spend a lot less money in maintenance, because I don’t have to buy cables or brake pads. If I want to stop quickly, I have to shift my weight over the handlebars and stop pedaling, so the back tire skids. Once you know how to do it, it’s easy.

Occupational Hazards: I’ve ridden in a lot of cities, and I’ve found D.C. to be one the safest. The biggest problems are buses and taxis. They tend to be very erratic, and bus drivers seem to resent the fact that we’re on the road.

The more you cycle, you learn that cars have a body language all their own, and you can tell from a distance what kind of drivers people are and what they’re about to do. The drivers are generally polite when it comes to right of way, but occasionally you tangle with someone that’s on the phone or sending an email. That can be quite annoying. As a cyclist I have to pay attention all the time, and I feel like drivers should do the same.

War Wounds: My safety record is fairly good compared to most messengers that usually get in a couple accidents a year. In Edinburgh a guy in a car was being indecisive, so I decided to make a turn. At the last second he gunned it for a parking spot, and I went over his hood and broke my collarbone.

Life on a Bike: My wife and I have a car, but we never drive it. I hate driving. I’ve been free from it for over eight years, and I’m quite happy.

Messenger Subculture: We have messenger races all over the world, and people will travel from all over to compete. I’ve competed in the worlds in Budapest and the European championship in London. Locally we do monthly Alley Cat races, where we get a list of addresses and try to get to each stop the fastest.

Career Course: I used to be a restaurant manger, and I would see messengers on my way to work, so I decided I would give it a try. I fell right into it, and I’ve never looked back. It’s the perfect job for me. I enjoy the exercise and the social camaraderie. I’ve got no plans to do anything else. I enjoy the job, and the money is usually good, so I’ll stay put for at least another eight years.