Looking like a Bike Messenger

Bike Messengers tend to have a distinctive look (and smell). The reason is that if you are going to carry stuff around on a bike for 50 hours a week, you need to be wearing the right stuff to be efficient and comfortable.

Unfortunately, some of the equipment you end up wearing is expensive so you wear it until it is worn out. As a result, things like bags, shoes, shorts and helmets develop a distinctive patina that absolutely scream "bike messenger" even when you aren't working.

The thing is, you are in a social situation, beginning a great conversation, but everything about your being says bike messenger and most people translate that to mean convict, addict, loser. It really gets in the way of meeting interesting people and developing relationships.

The stupid thing is I see so many people trying so hard to look like a messenger (and never getting there because only enough time on a bike will do the trick) when all it will do is make them an outcast.