Okay, let me tell you about this thing I put together, called “david’s tiger express”. It wasn’t anything super fancy, just something I needed to sort out for myself.
Getting Started
So, the whole idea kicked off because I was just getting tired of how slow regular mail was for sending small things between my workshop and my buddy Dave’s place across town. We swap parts and little projects all the time. Waiting days was just annoying. I thought, there’s gotta be a quicker way, right? Something more direct, just for us.
First thing I did was grab a map, one of those old paper ones. Yeah, I know, old school. I spread it out on the floor and just looked at the routes between my place and Dave’s. Not just the main roads, but the side streets, the back alleys, trying to figure out the absolute fastest path, avoiding the worst traffic spots.
Putting it Together
Then I needed a way to carry the stuff. Nothing big, usually just small boxes or envelopes. I found an old sturdy backpack I wasn’t using much. Cleaned it up. To make it a bit more official, you know, just for fun, I got a stencil and some bright orange paint. Sprayed a kinda jagged tiger stripe pattern on the side and wrote “Tiger Express” underneath. Looked pretty cool, actually.
Here’s the simple process I worked out:
- Get a call or text from Dave (or I’d text him) saying something needs picking up.
- Check my schedule, figure out the best time to zip over.
- Grab the backpack, hop on my bike – yeah, the bicycle, good exercise too!
- Follow the route I mapped out. Sometimes I gotta adjust if there’s unexpected road work, you know how it is.
- Pick up the package, make sure it’s packed okay inside the backpack.
- Ride back or ride over to the destination, depending on who sent what.
- Drop it off. Usually have a quick chat, maybe grab a coffee.
First Runs and Making it Work
The first few runs were interesting. One time I took a wrong turn and ended up near the old fish market, which definitely wasn’t faster. Another time, it started raining like crazy, and I realized the backpack wasn’t as waterproof as I thought. Had to quickly find some plastic bags to wrap the thing inside. Lesson learned there: always check the weather!
I started timing myself, trying to beat my previous record. Made it a bit of a game. Found a couple of shortcuts through parks that shaved off a few minutes. The key was really learning the rhythm of the traffic lights and the quietest times to cycle.
So now, “david’s tiger express” is basically just me on my bike with that orange striped backpack, cutting through town. It’s not a business or anything, just a practical way Dave and I handle our own little deliveries. It works great for us, saves time, and honestly, it’s kinda fun being the ‘tiger express’ guy, even if it’s just between two friends. Gets me out of the house, too.
