September 6, 1998
(This is an unedited, uncorrected transcript.)
AARON BROWN, HOST Finally from us this morning, people who love theirjobs so much, they’ve turned it into a sport. Now, we’re not talking metaphoricallyhere about the blood sports played out in board rooms, not at all. Thisis about speed, speed pure and simple, and workers who make their livingon two wheels. You may be relaxing on this long Labor Day weekend, butthese folks aren’t. Here’s ABC’s Jack Smith.
JACK SMITH, ABCNEWS (VO) And they’re off, the sixth annual Cycle MessengerWorld Championship, with a cargo race to carry the most packages withoutdropping them, a contest to see which bike stays balanced upright the longest—thisman lasted eight minutes—and a competition to see how long a skid couldbe sustained, without going over the handlebars. It’s a chance to meetold friends, a urban rodeo celebrating the culture of the bicycle courierwith its tattoos, pierced skin, and distinctive hairdos, sort of road warriormeets the X—games. (on camera) What happens if you kill a pedestrian, doyou lose the race?
JONAS, LOS ANGELES—BASED COURIER Oh, lose 30 points, I think.
JACK SMITH But you don’t lose the race.
JONAS No, I’m taking ‘em all out.
JACK SMITH Oh, you are? You’re taking all the pedestrians out?
JONAS Yes.
MARLEE, TORONTO—BASED COURIER I’ve seen a lot of regular cyclists whojust commute to their work running over pedestrians as well, you know?It’s just that crews do that, (?) (inaudible).
JACK SMITH (VO) At a faster rate, and pedestrians were very careful.The main event is half an hour through downtown Washington, DC, at speedsof 30 to 40 miles an hour. Just like the job, dropping off and pickingup letters at checkpoints, even locking up the bike. (on camera) This isjust like a day at work, isn’t it?
1ST BICYCLE COURIER Just a little faster.
JACK SMITH What’s with the mask? Can we ask?
2ND BICYCLE COURIER Why not?
JACK SMITH (VO) Most people didn’t wear masks. This man didn’t wearclothes. He competed anyway. (on camera) The racing goes on till Monday,when the winners will be announced, the world’s fastest male and femalebicycle couriers. But there is no money prize here. They’re competing justfor bragging rights. (VO) And for fun.
JOHN, LONDON—BASED COURIER It’s fast, really smooth tarmac, it’s a beautifulsurface for riding on. There’s people coming from everywhere, so that you’rereally on your edge, like you are at work.
JACK SMITH (VO) There were a few spills but no one got hurt. No guts,no glory. It goes for couriers too. This is Jack Smith in Washington forGood Morning America Sunday.
AARON BROWN That British guy was so serious, wasn’t he?
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