Breakaway News Volume No. 26 Issue No. 4 November

It’s a New Era at Breakaway Courier Systems

Breakaway Courier Systems is entering a new era with new management and new ownership. We will still strive to provide a high level logistics services throughout the tri state area and beyond. We look forward to mutual growth and maintain a beneficial relationship with all of our clients large and small.  

Irish Springs

It’s March, and that means that if you’re Irish, someone might kiss you! Okay, maybe these days the “Kiss me, I’m Irish” buttons are a bit dated, but this month is Saint Patrick’s Day, so on the 17th, we’ll all be decked out in green, deliveries will get there twice as fast with all our messengers carrying lucky clovers, and leprechauns will take your order for you. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, and remember to take the parade into account when placing your deliver order.

It’s Tuesday? Super…

Barely a moment after you receive this newsletter, it will be one of the most momentous times in the country’s political calendar. This March 3rd, it’s Super Tuesday, the political equivalent of March Madness. This time around, there are almost as many politicians in the brackets as basketball teams, so get a six-pack, grab some popcorn, and OD on political commentary as the voters go to the polls to pick the pols. Any pols who don’t make the cut can always try their hand at one of our cargo bikes.

Hills of Manhattan

The hills are alive…with the sound of cyclists groaning and cursing as they hump their bicycles up and over some of the most daunting hills Manhattan has to offer (at least, those who still don’t have e-motors). Chatting amongst ourselves the other day, we got to wondering what are the most dreaded, leg-breaking climbs on our city isle. They are: the hill under the GWB; the hill near the 125th Street Fairway going up Riverside Drive; Fort George Hill in Washington Heights; and the hill on 158th Street. Ouch!

Eat Me

Our new favorite word is autophagy. Literally meaning “self-eating”, it can occur after extended fasting, and is how the body cleans up cellular waste, making you feel healthier. Yum!

Spring Ahead

It’s coming a little earlier than usual, but this month is also the start of Daylight Savings Time. On Sunday, March 8th, don’t forget to lose an hour of sleep and put all your clocks forward one hour. Also, make sure your coffee maker is set to “extra powerful.”

Give It a Lift

What’s crazier than stumbling across a pot of leprechaun gold under the floorboards of your apartment? Not having a lift gate truck to take it to the bank, of course. Just the pot alone is heavy, but with the added gold? Lordy McLordy! Luckily, Breakaway has lift gate trucks to haul whatever treasure you have, safely and securely.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked what part of the city went through some really interesting geographical changes. Answer: Marble Hill. Currently a part of the Bronx, it was originally part of Manhattan, then was cut off and made an island, then attached to the Bronx.

Trivia Question

 What academic hoax, first revealed in 1965, in fact wound up presaging something about the New World that was actually true? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz at gortiz@breakawaycourier.com or 646-674-8323 with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 25 Issue No. 2 February 2020

Love Is In The Air

 Mid-February is deep into winter, but that’s when people tend to run hot; hot with love for that special someone. Happy Valentine’s Day for all our customers out there, and if you need that giant bouquet of rare orchids delivered along with the monster box of chocolates, well then give us a call to have it all delivered by your own personal Cupid.

 Ticket to Not Ride

2019 has been a sad year for cyclists in New York City. There were 220 pedestrian and cyclist deaths in the city last year. Trucks were involved in 43 of them. Yet, last year, cyclists received more traffic tickets than trucks; more than 35,000 compared to 34,600 for the large vehicles. That difference may seem slight, until you remember that cyclists make up less than two percent of traffic, while trucks are a full ten percent, and were involved in 21.5% of accidents. Plus, the number of trucks is increasing. Of course, we use trucks ourselves, but we also have our trusty cyclists and cargo bikes. Call us, and put our cyclists to work making our streets  safer for everyone.

There’s Your Problem

Weight gain and obesity, we keep hearing, is a problem across the United States. We at Breakaway have long advocated cycling as a way to shed pounds, but a look at the February holiday schedule shows that the problem is a bit deeper. Holidays include, and we’re not making this up, Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, World Nutella Day, National Chocolate Fondue Day, National Pizza Day, and my favorite, Fettuccine Alfredo Day. All of which is before or around National Toothache Day. No, really, we’re not making this up.

Groundhog Day

Do we know if the groundhog will see its shadow? More importantly, do we care? We’ll stick to the meteorologists rather than the giant rodents, thanks.

Holiday Buy Out

February is also President’s Day, a day of solemn reflection on the accomplishments of Washington, Lincoln, and all the American Presidents. And, once that reflection is finished, a day where Americans go shopping for deals. If you find a deal, but it’s too large for you to move, call us for one of our trucks, and we’ll get it to you.

 It’s Logical, Captain

Now, if you’ve ordered or bought a lot of stuff, then you’re still in luck. Call us not only about our trucks and our lift-gate truck, but about warehousing services and logistics. We can store, organize, and ship out all the stuff you need to, well, store, organize and ship. Give us a call and see how easy we can make your life.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked what site in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks is only open from May to October, and was funded by New York State. Answer: Veteran’s Memorial Highway, which you can use to drive to the top of Whiteface Mountain.

 Trivia Question

It went from being a part of one New York City borough, to being an island, to being connected to a different borough.  What neighborhood is it? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz at gortiz@breakawaycourier.com or 646-674-8323 with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 25 Issue No. 1 January 2020

Happy New Year!

Should all packages be picked up, and brought across the line? Should all deliveries, be forgot, and auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, dear customer, for auld lang syne! We’ll take a spin around the park, to beat the clock, for auld lang syne! And there’s a hand, good customer, and gie’s a hand o’ thine! Together, we’ll get the package there, for auld lang syne!

Anti-Social Media

Back in their infancy, social media platforms, it was thought, would change the face of how we get our information, and how we see the world. That prediction has come true, although not in the way people thought it would. Trolls, Russian bots, and crass commercialism have made social media more of a mass mess than mass media. Still, it’s not all bad. You can use modern technology to order a delivery either from your app or online. And please, don’t forget to like us.

Remembering a Giant

This January 20th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is a fitting and sober reminder after the New Year’s Celebrations to reflect on the past and continuing struggle for equal dignity, respect, and rights. Ever forward.

Piling On…And On

We just couldn’t go into the New Year without talking about one of the craziest viral media stories of 2019; the now infamous Peloton ad. Especially since the woman in question is called, “Grace in Boston,” one of our burgs. Now, if you ask us, the whole thing was a tempest in a teapot that says a whole lot more about how people are quick to draw battle lines in this hyper-connected new reality than it does about Peloton or the fictional people in the ad. Of course, we’re biased, as we think any cycling related gift is ideal. So, send any cycling related stuff you don’t want to our offices, and we’ll happily take it off your hands!

Hitting the Triple

 Hard to believe, but Breakaway Courier was founded in 1988, thirty-two years ago this year. We’ve seen a lot of changes since throughout New York and Boston; the introduction of traffic calming measures, the glut of ride sharing cars, and the end of relaxed entry into office buildings. Yet, even though we still use an old technology, Breakaway is still on the cutting edge, with e-cargo bikes, courier tracking, and more. Thank you for having taken this ride with us, and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your delivery needs in the future.

 Still Working

 Along with the above, we just realized that we hired the Newsletter editor when he was 20 years old; now he’s 52, and we’re still working. Something not quite right there…

 Stump the Band

 Last month we asked what historical event served as the basis for the story of Ut-Napishtim and Noah’s flood. Answer: the flooding of the previously dry Black Sea Basin.

 Trivia Question

 It’s only open from May to October, was entirely funded by New York State, and is located in the High Peaks region. What is it? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz at gortiz@breakawaycourier.com or 646-674-8323 with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 24 Issue No. 12 December 2019

Happy Holidays

 Hail and well met, Breakaway customers! We trust that you’re all recovering nicely from the Thanksgiving feast, and that you made it home safely from what is traditionally the most travelled holiday of the year. That means we can wish you all a Happy Holiday season, and we hope that as the year closes out, you receive all the blessings you could ask for. If it’s not a blessing, and you need it fast, don’t forget to call us to deliver it, stat!

Breakaway R&D

 Every year, Saint Nick rides his sleigh from the North Pole, but we can’t help but be concerned for the guy. Climate change is making that open sleigh, well, balmy. Here at Breakaway R&D, we’ve come up with a new design, that’s fully enclosed, so that he can keep air conditioned. The best part? It’s electric, so no carbon footprint!

 Delivery Times

 The holiday season is a madcap time, what with fervent shopping and mad rushing around. As we near Christmas Eve, things get really rushed. Therefore, as we do every year, we urge our customers to plan ahead, even more than usual, and try to get all your deliveries in and/or scheduled by Wednesday, December 18th. Keep reading for more tips and important delivery planning strategies.

 Bulking Up

 As it’s the holiday season, one thing that a lot of us do is send a lot – and we mean a LOT – of stuff by parcel, or delivery. If you have a backlog of bulk orders, now is the time to schedule it with us. Just email us a spreadsheet to manyorders@breakawaycourier.com with all the info, and we can directly upload it to our system. Once uploaded, we can dispatch the items in the times specified, making the whole process painless. Call us for details.

Face Down the Feast

 This holiday season full of brined turkeys, roast beefs, cranberry sauces, cookies, and all sorts of Thanksgiving and Christmas favorites got us thinking of food, and that got us thinking dietary habits. So, a few of us got to trying an interesting idea: intermittent fasting. Basically, we eat for eight of nine hours of the day, and then the rest of that 24-hour cycle, we don’t eat. Anything. At all. Results? Well, we’ve lost that last stubborn bit of gut, we feel mentally sharper, and we’re even a few dollars richer from not eating out at night. Watch this space for more.

 Trees by Bicycle
 Here’s a story we just love. In Boston, we have a rival, but only once per year. Evergreen Delivery has been delivering Christmas trees by bicycle for seven years now, and it’s still going. We love the idea, pairing cycling and trees in a novel way. If only they delivered elves.

 Stump the Band

 Last month we asked the location of a second city named Boston, settled by Beantowners. Answer: Western Cape, South Africa, settled in 1900.

 Trivia Question

 Noah’s Ark is based on an older, Sumerian legend; Ut-Napishtim. Scientists now think this story is based on an even older event. What was it? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz at 646-674-8323 or gortiz@brekawaycourier.com with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

TIPS FOR FASTER DELIVERIES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Our delivery volume will spike dramatically during the holiday season, and you may experience delays, particularly during peak periods.  Here are some tips to avoid service delays:

  1) Place large orders in the early morning, preferably before 9:00 AM. We are open 24 hours a day.  Our peak periods are from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. If we are extremely busy, pickup times can slow down. Trucking deliveries are generally slower because of traffic delays and security checks.

  2) If you are planning a large batch of gift deliveries, it helps to have one-day advance notice. For any delivery project with 10 or more addresses, you can just email us a spreadsheet and we’ll upload it directly into our system. Send the email to manyorders@breakawaycourier.com, and get more information at http://breakawaycourier.com/bulk-deliveries.

  3) Label your packages completely.  Packages that are not completely labeled languish in the company mailroom.  Always include the recipient's full name, company name, room number, address and phone number. With post-9/11 security, many office buildings will not accept packages without complete information on delivery labels. Also include your return address on the package.

  4) Call ahead to the delivery point to make sure someone is there to receive your package. If you order an evening delivery, make sure the receiving party is open past 5:00 PM. It might make more sense to schedule the delivery for the following morning.

  5) Do not procrastinate! Please do not wait until the last minute. Many people start their holidays early, and some offices close for the entire week of Christmas, so it’s best to complete deliveries by Wednesday, December 18.

6) Please pass this information on to all employees who will be using Breakaway’s services during the holiday season.

   Enjoy the holidays!

Breakaway News Volume No. 24 Issue No. 11 November 2019

Giving Thanks

 We want to wish a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday to all our customers in New York and Boston. As everyone knows, Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday of the year, with millions of Americans on the move to see family and share food. If you’re lacking some last minute fixings, be sure to call Breakaway to bring it to you so the dish isn’t ruined! And don’t forget to save us some pie!

 Personal Bests

 Strava, it’s safe to say, has changed the way we go about cycling, running, and even swimming, by allowing us to post our times and record our routes for others to see. It’s a way to be social even though we may be doing the activity alone. One feature that we loved and now lament is the “Personal Record” stat. Who doesn’t love to set a personal record? But, as the years pass, we find ourselves unable to match our younger selves on a set stretch of road, the PR of youth replaced with the hyperventilating of later years. Doesn’t stop us from chasing PRs though; we just have to set them on another road.

 Intergenerational

In an effort to keep up with the times, we set about talking to the next generation of bicycle couriers, to see how they’re coming along, and to impart our advice and wisdom. What we wound up doing is reiterating that indeed, we are getting old. See the previous story for details.

 Elevator Talk

 “So then I was thinking, why does he always go through all the short girls? Well, it’s just obvious. It just is. Why did it take me so long to process?”

Just another titillating conversation overheard by our couriers every day.

 Hoodies In The Hood

 Stylish. Comfortable. Warm. But enough about our bachelor pad. What we really want to talk about is the new Breakaway hoodie. The weather is starting to acquire its yearly fall chill, so now is the perfect time to score one of our new hoodies. It looks great with jeans (or cycling tights), and is perfect for gadding about in the city. You can find our hoodies on our Facebook page, at www.facebook.
com/Breakaway.Courier.NY/.

 Facing Confusion

 We just got through plugging our hoodie on it, but we’re not above complaining about Facebook at the same time. Why? Because it’s confusing. What happened to the days when people just wrote simple hellos on it? Now it’s a maelstrom of people just posting old posts. It’s really confusing. Let alone privacy concerns, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera…

 Stump the Band

 Last month we asked which legume is both a source of oil and grain crop. Answer: The peanut, which gives us peanut oil and is a legume with many uses.

 Trivia Question

 We all know and love Boston, but there’s a second city by that name, which was bought and settled by folks from our own Boston. Where is it? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt. Call 646-674-8323 or email gortiz@breakawaycourier.com

Breakaway News Volume No. 24 Issue No. 10 October 2019

Happy Halloween

BOOO!! Okay, so you’re not scared, but you should be, because soon, hordes of small goblins and other creatures of the night will descend on your domicile, demanding spiritual tribute in the form of sweet confectionary! If this prospect really does scare you, fear not! Breakaway is standing by ready to deliver all the goodies you need to feed the marauding ghoulies!

 Yorkshire Pudding

 Congratulations to all the victors and newly minted world champions at the UCI cycling world championships in Yorkshire, England last month. We salute the two new champs of the road race, Mads Pedersen and Annamiek van Vleuten, in the men’s and women’s races, respectively. Huge congrats to American Chloe Dygert-Owen, who scorched the Individual Time Trial, cruising on the flats at 45 mph, to claim the championship in that discipline for the USA.

 Hour By Hour

 Breakaway came into existence to serve a need; to get a package from here to there quickly, as needed. However, sometimes you need more than just a one-time delivery. You might need a courier for the day. Naturally, we can accommodate you! Call us to hire a messenger or trucker for the day on an hourly basis. Just please return him or her in the condition you got them.

 Nuts To That

 Dementia is a leading cause of rising senior health care costs, not to mention a terrifying prospect about aging. But maybe it doesn’t have to be that way. Recent studies show that eating 10 grams of nuts per day can dramatically improve brain function, as much as 60 percent. Walnuts and peanuts are particularly good. We know what our next Costco bulk purchase is going to be!

Ennui For A Day

 Ahhh, our old friend, Writer’s Block. Making us suffer ennui, like a philosopher contemplating his beret, while drinking espresso. We are suffering this ennui, pondering the meaning of “newsletters” and of life. However, I’m told that our couriers have no such ennui, and that they’re still excited to get out there and ride, to deliver your packages on time. Whatever time is, anyway.

 Mini, Micro, Mobile

 A new study by INRIX, a mobility analytics company, showed that 49 percent of all car trips in Boston are less than three miles, and a further 21 percent are less than one mile. Their recommended solution? What they call “micromobility;” bike shares, e-bikes, and e-scooters, integrated into the commuting infrastructure. Finally, the world is catching up to us!

 Stump the Band

 Last month we asked what Canadian group of islands are considered unceded territory. Answer: Haida Gwaii, also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, home of the Haida First Nation.

 Trivia Question

 What crop is important as both a grain legume and as an oil crop? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz a gortiz@breakawaycourier.com or 646-674-8323 with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 24 Issue No. 9 September 2019

September 9, 2019

School Blues

It's September, another summer has come and gone, and that means it's back to school for all the kids out there. While children lament and parents celebrate, remember that Breakaway can get all your academic needs delivered to you.

R.I.P

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to one of our own. Trucking dispatcher Percell "Big Perce" Carr passed away from a heart attack last month. A Breakaway stalwart and mild man, he will be missed by us, our truckers, and the customers who came to rely on him.

Be Curious

It's back to school and that had us wondering about the wonder of curiosity. Children are naturally curious, but we all seem to lose it as we get older. But we notice that the curious ones stay healthy longer. So, we conclude that staying curious is good not just for our noggins but our health as well. Stay curious, folks!

Labor Day

Although often used to signal the end of wearing white, Labor Day is here and that means it's a time to remember and appreciate our workers. Thanks to all our couriers in New York and Boston for all their hard work moving our items to and fro.

Overheard

Our courier tells us it was quite the scene: four squad cars and ten NYPD officers corralling one guy. As he was being led away, he kept shouting, "I was a murder victim!" This weeks oxymoron.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked which state eats the most Portagee Steak. Answer: Hawaii, where Portagee Steak is another name for Spam.

Trivia Question

Once known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, what Canadian island group is unceded territory? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz at gortiz@breakawaycourier.com or 646-674-8323 with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 24 Issue No. 8 August 2019

Every Dog…

 Happy August, newsletter readers! Just so you know, it’s not your imagination; the dog days of summer are here and it is really hot. Hot enough to feel like you’re baking in the heat of the city, and sweat pours like rivers. Luckily, we’re here to swelter in traffic so you don’t have to. Also, as it turns out, every dog does have its day, as August 5th is Work Like A Dog Day. There’s no making this stuff up.

 Tour de France, Coda

 One of the best editions of the Tour de France in years has finally come to an end, and after coming agonizingly close, a Frenchman has not won the Tour like many hoped and thought. Instead, congratulations and felicidades to Egan Bernal, the first ever Colombian to win the world’s most incredible and prestigious bicycle race!

 Electric Avenue

 Climate change is here. It really is, just read the first item on this page to realize how here it is. However, right on schedule, a new technology has merged with an old technology to produce a pairing like chocolate and peanut butter to feed a warming world: the e-bike. We’ll admit, at first, we scoffed at them, but now we’ve fully embraced them with our cargo e-bikes. But they could really offset carbon emissions in a big way. The U.K. and Sweden are both subsidizing them to help put people on them. Watch this space for updates on this trend.

 Our Fair City

 Tom and Ray of Car Talk always referred to Cambridge, MA with the above moniker, and now there’s good reason! Cambridge is the first US city to make protected bike lanes mandatory, stating that they must be included whenever a street is upgraded. The law provides for cycling infrastructure and bypasses neighborhood NIMBYism all at the same time. Fair city indeed!

Egg On Face

 We can’t take it anymore! For decades, eggs were part of the American breakfast. Then they got vilified because of cholesterol. Then, they were rehabilitated as being good for you after all. Now, another study says no, no, they’re bad for you again. Now, we don’t trust any of these studies, and neither should you. Slate reports that the methodology behind these studies is nothing more than surveys, which are quite inaccurate. Which means I’ll take a bacon egg and cheese with a side of cheese egg and bacon, and spam.

 You’re Promoted

 You’ve spent months, maybe years, perfecting an idea, a product, or service. You’ve agonized over the business plan. You’re ready to go, and now you need customers. In other words, you need a promotional campaign. That’s where we come in! Our team can expertly set up a distribution program to get your promotional materials out and to the proper target audience. Give us a call for details, and start growing!

 Stump the Band

 Last month we for Impossible Foods key ingredient in their meatless meat substitutes. Answer: Heme, a component of red blood cells.

 Trivia Question

 Where is Portagee Steak consumed more per capita than anywhere else? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz at 646-674-8323 or gortiz@breakawaycourier.com with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 24 Issue No. 7 July 2019

Happy Fourth

 It’s once again that time to celebrate, all that this country stands for, and which, when neglected, is all too fragile: our freedom. Breakaway wishes all of its customers a happy Fourth of July. Enjoy the fireworks, and celebrate safely.

 Tour de France

 July is also time for that other celebration, which happens across the pond, in the nation that allied with us during our fight for independence. That’s right, it’s time for the month long sufferfest that is the Tour de France! This year, it’s a wide open race, with heavy favorite Chris Froome having been severely injured in a frightening crash. Who will win? Stay tuned.

 Blurry Vision Zero

 Cycling in New York – or any big city – is fraught with danger, much as driving is. This year, Vision Zero, the city’s campaign to eliminate traffic deaths, is facing a big test, as several cyclists have been struck recently. We at Breakaway want to remind all road users to follow all traffic laws, and to be mindful when on the roads. Rest assured; our couriers take safety with the utmost seriousness. We’ll always be sure to get your package – and the courier – there, safe and sound.

 Pack on Track

 Back in the mists of antiquity, people used a telephone that couldn’t play Angry Birds and which was tethered to an actual hard wire in the wall to call us for a delivery. Then, they had to wait to call for a confirmation of that delivery, or request that the dispatcher call when it was delivered. Crazy, right? Well, now it’s the 21st century, and you can track your package from your desk. Log into breakawaycourier.com to get started using our package tracking software, and experience the vicarious thrill of watching it get delivered!

 Power by the Hour

 Did you know that you can call us to hire a courier by the hour? If you have a special project, of if there’s a courier who knows your business well, or if you need particular help with a slew of deliveries, you can call to hire a messenger on an hourly basis. Short term or long, we won’t leave you in the lurch.

Bikes, Cars, Food

 How environmentally friendly is cycling to work? The Keith Group attempted to answer that, and included the fuel for both cyclists and cars: food and gas. They found that a vegan cyclist impacts the earth one seventh as much as driving a Prius, while two paleo-dieting cyclists would have the same impact if they rode or carpooled in said Prius. Make in another Impossible Whopper for my ride, please!

 Stump the Band

 Last month we wanted to know for what else is legendary cyclist Gino Bartali honored. Answer: Bartali worked as a courier for the Italian Jewish resistance, carrying documents with him on “training rides” to help rescue Italian Jews during the German occupation of 1943.

 Trivia Question

 Impossible Burgers are plant based, but what secret ingredient makes them taste more like meat? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz at 646-674-8323 or gortiz@breakawaycouriere.com with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 24 Issue No. 6 June 2019

Happy Father’s Day

May was Mom’s Month. Now it’s Dad’s turn. We’re sure he didn’t mind Mom going first, him being a gentleman and all, so now it’s time to reward that gentlemanly manner with a day where he can put his feet up, have a nice tall drink, and have peace of mind, knowing that his delivery is going to get there on time via Breakaway. Seriously, if you want something delivered to or for Dad, call us. He deserves it.

 Cyclists, Unite!

 It’s no secret that we love bicycles (if you’ve been reading this newsletter, you’re nodding saying, “Yeah, we know!”), and apparently, we’re not the only ones, because the United Nations has declared June 3rd to be World Bicycle Day! The brainchild of World Bank sociologist Leszek Sibilski, a cyclist and activist, it’s a day for us to not only take a ride, but reflect on how the bicycle can help reduce climate change. If you’re interested on learning more, we recommend Professor Sibilski’s World Bank blog post, “Cycling Is Everyone’s Business.” Riveting stuff!

Congestion Cure-all

 Congestion pricing – charging motorists for entering into a certain zone of a city by car – is more and more a certainty here in New York. While we don’t know the specifics of the plan (those details are still being hammered out) we do know that motorists will be charged for entering Manhattan below 60th street. Cyclists won’t be charged – yet another reason to ride!

 Giro d’Italia

 It’s been an exciting Giro this year! As we write this, it’s boiling down to former winner Vincenzo Nibali and current race leader Richard Carapaz. Our money is on Carapaz, but stay tuned!

Summer Daze

 It’s June, and the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, is almost here. June 21st is the day when the sun will seem to hang in the sky for a long, languid time, enabling everyone to work on their tan, shine on your garden, and heat the city like an apple in the oven set on convection. Yeah, we’re not keen on leaving the A.C. to go out either, but we know a lot of crazy people on bikes who don’t mind. If you have a deliver or a pick-up, they’ll go out in the noon day solstice sun and get it done!

 Poor Man’s Tesla

 It’s official: E-bikes are here to stay. They’re just too effective to not put to use on the roads. Once they became the standard for food delivery people, we knew there’d be no shaking them. Now, regular cyclists or even aging ones can get in on the act. They’re like the Tesla, but with two wheels and a much smaller price tag.

Stump the Band

 Last month we asked for the native name of Easter Island.
Answer: Rapa Nui is the island’s original name.

 Trivia Question

 Gino Bartali was a champion of the Giro and the Tour de France, but he also has a very different honor achieved at great peril. What is it? The first person to contact Gil Ortiz at 646-674-8323 or gortiz@breakawaycourier.com with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.