story by Carolina Wolohan Jr.
photos by Maurice Ramiriz

 

PASSING THROUGH THE
high glass doors, Erik Nelson makes a beeline for the front desk. The moment he stops, the water he collected while riding in the rain starts to give way. A stream channels along his hairline, crosses his forehead and funnels right down to the tip of his nose. It makes its way to the puddle that accumulates at his feet. The plush gray carpet soaks up the evidence.  People shuffling through the office rest their gaze on his tall lean frame a few seconds longer than usual. The radio strapped across his shoulder, like a bandolero's ammunition, starts to make noise. It's time for Nelson to make his way out for another delivery.

     El Niño has not been kind to the bike messengers of San Francisco, and these are the times when Nelson, of Zap Couriers, starts considering a desk job. Nelson admits it could be worse. Bike messengers in cities such as Boston, New York and Chicago fight not only rain, but ice and snow as well.