Dispatches from the CMWC. Part three

What are the absolutely necessary ingredients needed to replicate messengers’ working environment? The traffic, the elements, nasty security guards and bored receptionists are definitely somewhere near the top of the list. Well, in terms of traffic there was not much that organisers could do to stimulate the real working conditions on the road. So nor cars nor pedestrians on the racecourse, and that’s probably a good thing. Now for the elements. The rain started bang on time for the beginning of the qualifying race.
The grass and muddy sections of the racecourse were not dissimilar to Dublin’s infamous Phoenix Park racecourse from 2007.
Those who attended ECMC 2006 in Helsinki would remember the Messenguerilla race that was happening along side of the main race. This year similar thing happened, and the two races were going on simultaneously. The official race involved delivering the usual boxes and envelopes; the Messenguerilla race involved carrying envelopes filled with “money” and jiffies stuffed with “weed”. To make it more entertaining there was a security checkpoint where passing riders were liable for random bags searches, verbal abuse and confiscation of the goods. Another checkpoint was manned by a “bored receptionist” with a queue of a couple dozens of angry messengers waiting to get a stamp necessary to continue the race.
Also, for the couple of hours during the race there was a black market going on that allowed for exchange of the “money” and the “weed” for real beer. Not too sure how that worked but I’ve seen couriers being bought beer in exchange for a wad of “notes” and a bag of rosemary.
As soon a the race finished the rain eased a little bit and the usual activities of drinking and chattin proceeded next to bbq’s and small bonfires under the bridge.
With a fairly big stage and live bands playing on and off it felt more like a music festival rather than any other event.
I spent the rest of the night sharing the table with drunken Londoners, Irish, Finns, Kiwis, Mexican Spaniards and even a passed out Aussie wrapped in a cling foil.


THE MORNING UPDATE: Not A Single Londoner In The Finals. Surprise, surprise...
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London- Glasgow- Dublin manned checkpoint
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More of the checkpoint. Please note the bags of "weed" that have just been delivered
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Austin Horse of Samurai NYC queuing at the checkpoint with his polish bodyguard
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London's Own Vojtech in the qualifying race
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Soon-To-Be London's Own Lane is ripping some rubber during the skid competition
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And now for the real competition: Australia & New Zealand vs The Dog