My Summer Job - Pedicabbing

I started working at a different job about a month and a half ago.  I have been giving rides around downtown Denver in a pedicab (bike rickshaw).  It was daunting at first.  Although, I have been in the area a year, I almost never went downtown.  Not the best place to drive the bus.  So I never learned the streets or landmarks.  This is crucial when it comes to offering cab services to people.  They expect that you know everything about downtown.  After much coaxing from a friend who was already doing it, I bit the bullet and applied.  My first day I was overwhelmed by my lack of knowledge of the roads but pep-talked my way through it.  My first ride was the biggest hurdle that got my confidence back on track.  Since then I have learned downtown pretty well.  I still can't give restaurant or bar reviews because I don't ever go in those places.
It is far and away the best job that I have had since I hit the road.  I am learning intimate details about the city I live in, every night is different, always interesting people to ride around, I am essentially paid to exercise and the money is stellar.  It may not be a typical resume building job but it is giving me exactly the experiences that I am looking for.  I make as much money in two nights as I did in a week at a salaried job.  I make my own hours, so I can enjoy life how I want.  The only two foreseeable downsides: it is kind of seasonal work and I usually work weekend nights (aka more profitable nights).
This past weekend there were two events in town, Pridefest (Gay and Lesbian festival) and Comic Con (Big conference for comic book fans).  That made for an interesting, fun weekend. For those who want to be in the know about the pedicab biz allow me to give you an insider's point of view.
Pedicabs are rented on a nightly basis- $25/weekday and $50/weekend, unless you get on a monthly basis, which is $330/mth and you get your own cab for the month.
To take a ride with me it will cost you $2 per block.  I am free to charge less if I want.  If you are a friend of mine I will be happy to take you for a free ride, especially if you are going downhill. :)
I have found that the hours that I make the most money are from 10pm til 2am (No bars can stay open beyond 2am, no private clubs, no exceptions).  There is a direct correlation between alcohol and how much I make an hour.  During those 4 hours, I probably average $50/hr, while actually peddling a fare 20 minutes of each hour.
Women who have been drinking are bold.  They freely give compliments on my calves and are not inhibited about encouraging me to go faster by smacking my butt.
People who give you a $100 or more for a ride are called Unicorns.  I had a guy a couple of weeks ago who would be classified as a double Unicorn.  He gave me $100 for 15 blocks (normally a $30 fare).  Then he had me take him around to a couple of bars and he had me come in and eat with him and offered me drinks, then gave me another $100.  The generosity of this guy wasn't limited to me.  He had me drive him around while he gave street performers and homeless people anywhere from $5-$20 each.
Karma exists...or the Golden Rule...pick your flavor.  Whatever you sacrifice (free rides, discounted rides, etc) will be repaid with more, usually the same night.
I probably pedal 30 miles or more on a given night.  I am giving rides for less than 5 miles of that.
I have carried up to 6 people, uphill in my cab.
There is one nightmare hill, called Cap Hill (short for Capitol Hill).  It causes my quads to spasm and twitch in a disconcerting rhythmic cadence.  Fortunately, the requests to go there are few.
I am privy to all the workings of late night life.  Rarely does a weekend go by that I don't witness at least one street fight and all sorts of random drama.
I am working on a picture/video montage to showcase this interesting side of life.  So until then, know that I am doing well.  I am left wanting for nothing.  I am perfectly content.

Pictorial and video update

I have to post because I vowed someone tonight that I would.  A pretty cool random meeting of someone keeps me accountable.  This will be a photo/video update.  I will write about the very interesting job activity that earns me money that I started about a month ago in my next post.
For now, check out the recap of some of the phone things I have gotten myself into.

At the summit of my Mt Elbert.  My 1st 14er.  Highest peak in Colorado, 2nd in continental US.  5/28/12

The following video was distorted by YouTube's 'fix shaky video' feature.  I plan on updated original again soon.  For now...

Fixing the bus tire that came off the rim.