Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 11 November 2012
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Storm Season
Hurricane Sandy battered the tri-state area last month, with unprecedented damage to property and businesses. The clean-up promises to be long and costly, as well. We want our customers to know that we’re ready to help in any way we can. If you need a messenger-on-demand, trucking, supplies shipped, logistics, or any kind of help in the five boroughs and/or beyond, call us and ask how we can help.
Call Us Definitely
We’re not sure if it was the remnants of Sandy or some Halloween goblins, but the telephones here at Breakaway have been playing tricks on us. You can now reach us at 212-279-5024. You can also fax an order to 212-947-3335 or, easiest of all, visit our website at www.breakawaycourier.com to place an order online and get all the latest information.
Thank You!
It’s coming. Can you feel it? It’s the quiet thunder of that yearly calorie-fest known as Thanksgiving. Turkeys and casseroles and candied yams and beer and potatoes and beer and cranberry sauce and beer. Did we mention beer? It’s a feast fit for a king. Luckily, as monarch of your house, you can order Breakaway to deliver all your Thanksgiving needs to your door. Except live turkeys. You’re on your own for that one.
Do It!
That most important of all times in the USA is coming up, the right to exercise your franchise and vote. Breakaway urges all our friends and customers, from all ends of the political spectrum, to peaceably assemble at the nearest voting booth and cast your ballot. You can short-sheet your opponent’s bed afterward.
Blah Blah Blasé
As we look around, especially in suburbia, it seems that there’s a sameness to everything. Target, Best Buy, Whole Foods…Target, Best Buy, Whole Foods. Where’s the variety? Does everything have to look the same?
Quote of the Day
“Innovation is pretending to be innovative.” For all you literati out there.
The Extra Mile
Actually, that should be “last mile.” What exactly does this mean? It means that if you are a retailer, and have items that you want to deliver to someone, Breakaway can be your “last mile” deliverer, making sure the item gets to the customer. We already provide this service for Patagonia. If you’re interested, call our sales department for details. All the cool kids are doing it.
Stump the Band
Last month we wanted to know what Nikola Tesla invention was crucial for automobiles. Answer: The humble spark-plug.
T-Shirt Question
Which marathoner said, “Damn! This is better than winning an Emmy!”? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.
Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 10 October 2012
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Boooo-reakawaayy!
The refreshing bite of autumn has blown in, heralding pumpkin ale, sweaters and flannels, and, best of all, Halloween parties! Yes, the time to dress up as a Twilight cast reject or toilet paper mummy is here again. Planning a big All-Hallows bash? Give us a call, and don’t be caught short of jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treat treats, or corn syrup fake blood.
Order! Order!
The modern economy is made up of orders; for food, clothes, stocks, books, etc. What do they all have in common? You can do them all online. You can order runs from Breakaway online also; just visit www.breakawacourier.com, and let your mouse do the walking.
Idle Hands
The MTA in NYC takes a lot of unnecessary flack, but not in this instance. News outlets have reported that fares may rise again, but at the same time, they’re hemorrhaging $800K a year. The culprit? Idling vehicles. Inspectors found that MTA employees let vehicles idle more than 20,000 hours a year, wasting 21,000 gallons of gas. Yet another reason to pedal to work.
Trust Your Instincts
He looked like he really didn’t need the job, arriving in a three-piece suit but we took him on as a driver anyway. We should listen to those little voices in our heads, because he became the bane of our existence. We were forced to downsize him as he insisted on driving around with the deliveries strapped to the roof of his impeccably appointed van.
Elevator Talk
“Yeah, well, I told him that already. What will saying that again fix?”
Yet another scintillating conversation overheard by our couriers.
Miss Me Kate
In the modern age, journalism can be pretty gritty, and sometimes ugly. Proudly, we at Breakaway can say that we don’t stoop to sensationalism. Although the photographer begged and pleaded with us, we refused to publish the Kate Middleton pics that several other news outlets have. Hey, we have standards here.
Not All Quicksilver
We know that our “Triple Rush” show and now the “Premium Rush” movie make it look like the messenger biz is all about being hip and riding single-gear, cool bikes, but we also do a fair amount of truck work. We’ve got everything from vans to 24-foot lift-gate trucks. So, if you have a load that would squash a hipster and his bike, call our trucking department.
Stump the Band
Last month we wanted to know who was the first person to have been born to parents who both went into space. Answer: Elena Andrianova Nikolaeva-Tereshkova, daughter of cosmonauts Andrian Nikolaev and first woman in space Valentina Tereshkova.
T-Shirt Question
He’s best known for developing AC current, but what Nikola Tesla invention was crucial for automobiles? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.
Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 9 September 2012
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Weekend Labors
Don’t put that barbecue grill away just yet, because Labor Day Weekend is almost here! This year, Labor Day is Monday the 3rd, so we’ll be closed that day. Be sure to plan your deliveries accordingly and relax as much as possible so you hit the ground running when you come back to work.
Fashion Victims
September 5th is the start of Fashion Week here in New York City, which means if you’re lucky, you’ll see a fashion model or three. Then again, this is New York, so you might see them anyway. And if you want to be really stylish, just call for one of our fashion-forward messengers. They’re always ahead of the curve.
Paper? How Quaint
As we mentioned last newsletter, we now have the ability to do paperless invoicing. This has proved to be a really big hit, and we’ve had a lot of inquiries about it. If you want to save some trees, and some postage, contact us about our new paperless invoicing by e-mailing to paperless@breakawaycourier.com. Birds also deserve a home!
Silver Screen
First, there was “Messenger.” Then, the bigger budget “Quicksilver.” Now, Hollywood is at it again with a new messenger movie, “Premium Rush.” Of course, we know why Tinsel Town keeps coming back for more. They are, no doubt, inspired by the critically acclaimed “Triple Rush” on the Travel Channel (now available on http://new.hulu.com/triple-rush)! Who wouldn’t want to be like our messengers?! On a related note, Breakaway Office Manager AY now has star power in his native Escanaba, MI because of Triple Rush. He always draws a crowd of at least three when he visits.
Synergism
A lot of kafuffle is made of the “global economy,” but we also have a pretty well articulated regional economy. How do we know? Because a lot of our customers do business both in NYC and Boston. If you’re like them, you’ll be glad to know that Breakaway has an office in Boston as well! Call us to find out how we can help you with your business needs between Gotham and Beantown.
Mobile Concierge
Guy Friday. Gal Friday. Gopher. Handyman. Roustabout. All ways of saying the same thing; someone who performs concierge services. From filing to running for coffee, our messengers can provide these services on the run. Just call and ask.
Stump the Band
Last month we asked: What was the longest bicycle sponsorship ever in the UK? Answer: The Milk Race, now known as the Tour of Britain, was sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board for 35 years.
T-Shirt Question
Two American legends passed recently: Sally Ride and Neil Armstrong. Who was the first child born to a mother and a father who had both traveled into space? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.
Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 8 August 2012
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Paperless Trail
On July 1st, Breakaway Courier switched courier software, moving from Courier Complete to Xcelerator. Reviews among staff so far are positive, and it has one really cool feature: you can have your invoice e-mailed, rather than snail-mailed, to you. If you want to go paperless, contact us at paperless@breakawaycourier.com.
USA! USA!
A heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes representing the States, just for even making it to the big stage. You really showed them what you’ve got!
Tempus Fugit
It’s August, and you know what that means; it means that summer is almost over. For some, that means last minute beach flings and road trips, as we all try to squeeze the last bits of summer out of the year. Breakaway can help. Call us if you need party supplies, surf boards, or coolers shipped.
Dry As a Bone
We’ve been getting plenty of rain here in the Northeast recently, but don’t complain. This past June saw the worst drought in the country since 1956, according to the National Climate Data Center, with about 55% of the nation in short-term severe drought conditions. Kind of makes you want to go singin’ in the rain.
Transcendental
It worked for George Harrison and Jim Morrison, so we think it’ll work for us also. All our couriers are now taking courses in transcendental meditation. Someday, we expect all our messengers to simply float above the everyday melee of traffic, and arrive serenely at their destination. For now, we’ll settle for less irritated.
Welcome Aboard
A warm welcome to the newest members of the Breakaway family. Breakaway Boston has just acquired Express-It Delivery, as well as their customers. We look forward to providing them with the same quality service and professionalism that has made Breakaway the premier courier company in New York and Boston.
Road Rash
Congratulations to Bradley “Wiggo” Wiggins, for being the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 89 editions of the elite bicycle race. Wiggins and his team, Team Sky, took the yellow jersey in the second week of the Tour, and defended it all the way to Paris. Crashes marked this year’s Tour; so many people hit the tarmac that some team buses looked more like ambulances. We have rash also, but ours is from not getting up from the couch the entire time.
Stump the Band
Last month we asked who won the very first Tour de France Feminin? Answer: Marianne Martin, of the United States.
T-Shirt Question
A Brit has won the Tour this year, but what was the longest bicycle sponsorship in the UK ever? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.
Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 7 July 2012
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Happy Fourth
Happy Birthday to us! Happy Birthday to us! And when we say “us,” we mean the U.S. of A, of course. Here’s wishing all of our customers a happy, healthy, and safe Fourth of July celebration. Remember, large or small, our fleet of cyclists and truckers can deliver everything you need to celebrate. Except cannons. If you want one of those delivered, you’re on your own.
On the Move
After many years ensconced in the West 30s, Breakaway is preparing to pull up stakes and move. Why? The 7 train extension is causing real estate speculation here to soar, and the landlord won’t renew the lease, as they’re looking to convert to condos. We’re looking for a new place to call home, so if anyone has a ‘dark space’ (i.e. space not officially on the real estate market) they know about, tell us.
Breakaway Labs
With drones the new favorite toy of the Pentagon, we were wondering if we could get some to use for moving packages. Strangely, everytime we asked to talk to someone about drones, we kept getting transferred to an apiary. That’s when it hit us; we could breed a new kind of messenger! We’re currently breeding killer bees to become messenger bees. The buzz is that it’s going quite smoothly, although they look somewhat like John Belushi.
Photo Phobia
Our messengers and racers have had a busy pictorial season. Pictures of cyclists wearing Breakaway kit have appeared on Facebook, the Wall Street Journal, and other esteemed news outlets. So many, in fact, that we’ve decided that we can play our own courier version of “Where’s Waldo.” Fame at last!
Shout Out
All of our customers are awesome, discerning, and discriminating people, but every so often, one stands out. This month, we’d like to give a shout out to Katie at WP Carey for being very supportive of not just Breakaway, but of the individual couriers that risk it all on the streets everyday. Yay Katie!
Allez!
July is upon us, and that means that many of us cycling fans at Breakaway will be glued to the web, TV, and other assorted media outlets for news of the Tour de France. The Tour starts a day early this year, on June 30th, in Liege, Belgium (yes, we know; that’s not France). Also, six women from Team Réve will ride the same route as the racers, and try to complete it in roughly the same time. Go, ladies, go!
Stump the Band
Last month we asked where and when the first bicycle sharing program was launched. Answer: the
White Bicycle Project, in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1965.
T-Shirt Question
Six women will ride the Tour route this year, but did you know that there was a Tour Feminin? Who was the Feminin’s very first winner? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.
At Breakaway we are updating our online ordering software. This change will begin July 1st. the new website can be found at clients.breakawaycourier.com.
Though it’s not a big change from an online ordering perspective, it will enable us to serve you more quickly and with greater accuracy.
YOUR USER ID is now a combination of your previous Web ID and your Account Number. Your Password remains the same.
For example, on the previous system you would have entered this information:
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1234
WEB ID: Breakaway
PASSWORD: Courier
You’ll now enter the information as follows:
USER ID: Breakaway1234
PASSWORD: Courier
Be assured that we have transferred your address book to the new system. Further, all information on transactions prior to July 1, 2012 can be found by clicking this link.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 212-947-7777 or email website@breakawaycourier.com
As always, thank you for being a Breakaway customer.
We're about to get even faster and more efficient!
/Big doings at Breakaway this week! On July 1, 2012, we’re switching to a new dispatching software. Though it’s not a big change from an online ordering perspective, it will enable us to serve our customers more quickly and with greater accuracy.
Here’s the scoop for online customers:
YOUR User ID is now a combination of your previous Web ID and your Account Number. Your Password remains the same.
For example, on the previous system you would have entered this information:
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1234
WEB ID: Breakaway
PASSWORD: Courier
You’ll now enter the information as follows:
USER ID: Breakaway1234
PASSWORD: Courier
We’ve transferred your address book to the new system and you’ll still have access to all information on transactions prior to July 1, 2012 - just click this link, which you’ll also find on your homepage.
As always, if you have any questions just give us a call at 212-947-7777 or email website@breakawaycourier.com
Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 6 June 2012
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Dad Darn Deserving
Last month it was Mom’s special day. This month it’s Dad’s turn. Father’s Day is on June 17th, the third Sunday of June, so start shopping for cheesy ties and barbecue fixins because it’ll come a lot sooner than you think. If you do procrastinate, worry not. Breakaway is always here to see you out of a last-minute shopping jam.
Harlem Hijinks
Now there’s a really good reason to take the A train to Harlem this Father’s Day. The Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic, aka the Harlem Crit, will take off at noon on Father’s Day. So, if your Dad is a big cycling fan, take him uptown for some lunch at Slyvia’s or the Red Rooster, and some excitement as some of the country’s best racers zip around Marcus Garvey Park. Soul food and racing; can’t beat it!
Summer Haul
It’s almost time, and you know it. You’re pulling your hair. You’re biting your nails. All because you have no idea how you’re going to get all your stuff out to the Hamptons, or Jersey Shore, or the Catskills this summer. Well, we know. Our trucking service can deliver your living room, kitchen, pets, and wardrobe, furniture and all the coolers and big beach umbrellas you’ll need at your summer hangout. Give us a call and get planning.
Sharing is Caring
Boston has had bicycle sharing since 2011, with Hubway, and it’s been a big hit. Now, New York will follow suite with Citi Bike. For $10/day, you can have 24-hour unlimited bicycle access, so long as each ride is under 30 minutes. NYC’s will be among the largest bike sharing programs, with more than 10,000 bicycles scheduled to be available. Cool stuff for a hot summer.
Congrats
Breakaway extends its congratulations to Ryder Hesjedal, the 2012 winner of the Giro d’Italia. The Giro is the first grand tour of the year, and is every bit as hard as the Tour de France. The Canadian Hesjedal, riding for the U.S. team Garmin-Barracuda, won the race overall by 47 seconds over Spaniard Joachim Rodriguez.
Wild, Wired, Walking
It’s long been a pet peeve of ours, and now Fort Lee agrees. The NJ township is cracking down on folks for “walking dangerously”: that’s walking while texting/talking/websurfing/e-mailing on a smartphone. The use of these handhelds while walking can result in serious accidents. Now, in Fort Lee, walking on the wired side can also cost you $85 in fines. Beware!
Stump the Band
Last month we asked what the largest vessels ever built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard were? Answer: four Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) in the late 1960s. One of them, a VLCC named the Bay Ridge, was the last vessel ever to be built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
T-Shirt Question
Where and when was the first bicycle sharing program instituted? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.
HAPPY BIKE TO WORK DAY!
/Today is National Bike to Work Day! In 1956, the Cycle Trade Association of America announced the first ever Bike Month. The purpose of this occasion was to promote bicycle sales. Today National Bike Month, Bike Week, and Bike to Work Day have a much broader focus. These events encourage safe bicycling practices and promote cycling as a legitimate commuting alternative. Whether you are environmentally conscious or just love the exercise, biking to work is a great way to avoid the commuter traffic and stay in shape!