Mercury, of Roman mythology, is often depicted as having wings on his heels. Wouldn\’t we all like to be as speedy? Or, perhaps you could say, mercurial?

Bicycle messengers probably sometimes wish for winged wheels. I have yet to speak with a bicycle courier, but I wouldn\’t be surprised if the job is quite stressful.

It might seem like a wonderful occupation for anyone who enjoys riding a bicycle. Getting paid to do something you love! And without the stress of the training load; attention to diet; travel; and racing that are the lot of the pro cyclist.

But how much traffic do bicycle couriers have to dodge? I have a long way to go before I become truly comfortably riding alongside heavy traffic. In fact, my discomfort with pedaling beside moving motor vehicles has me doing all I can to avoid it! For that reason alone, I\’m not sure that being a bicycle courier is for  me.

Riding alongside traffic isn\’t the only requirement for these messengers. Ability to use GPS devices? I, for one, am clueless. Do I really have the necessary stamina? And, as so often happens, they want prior experience. It\’s the old Catch-22. You need experience to get the job; but how can you get the experience if you can\’t get a job?

Bicycle couriers must also go about their tasks in all kinds of weather. They don\’t get to take a break in rain, cold, or heat.

Winged wheels could take the courier up, up, and away. Maybe we need balloon couriers? Until we have them, I guess bicycle couriers will have to wish they could be mercurial.