Clutch Couriers are so good lookin'...

So while we were working our asses off the other Thursday our most dreamy crew member Zack was up in "the city" draping himself across various track bikes and other urban settings for Chrome bags new advertising campaign. As the only working messenger in the shoot I thought he did us proud. Congrats, Zack-lookin good...

More info photos and gear @ http://www.chromebagsstore.com/

Same Day Filing and Return to Watsonville Superior Court

Rain or Shine Clutch Couriers comes through for you with Same Day Court Filing in Watsonville Superior Court! Only $150 per month for Santa Cruz Attorneys!
For more info visit:
http://www.clutchcouriers.com/legal.php
or call 831-466-0560

Secrets to Longevity #4-Bikram Method Yoga

I first started doing Yoga as a child with my parents who practiced daily. I think my Dad took a certain perverse pleasure from scaring the be-jeezuz out of us with his dragon face/pose, the vision of his eyes bugging out still gives me shivers.
About a year and a half ago I was introduced to Bikram method yoga by my girlfriend Teale, and I have been practicing at least twice a week since.
Bikram method is twenty six postures designed to work every joint, muscle and organ of your body. You practice each posture twice for a ninety minute session in a room that is 105-115 degrees tempered with forty percent humidity, and boy do you sweat.
The extremes of the environment and the length of time that you hold some of the postures make for what Bikram calls a torture chamber, but here's what it has done for me:
When I first started I was completely defeated and humbled by the experience. It was the hardest thing I had ever done, and a year and a half later I have progressed, but it hasn't gotten any easier. Bikram takes my ego and squashes it, which helps make me a nicer person.
Keeping Yoga in my life has brought my mind and body closer together. I can mentally and physically manifest improvements in my spine that I know will keep me on the road for decades to come. The mental discipline it takes to hold standing head-to-knee for a full minute really has helped me be a more patient and compassionate person when people are trying me. My former chronic back pain has essentially disappeared, as my posture is slowly being pulled back into alignment after years of misuse.
A pro bike messenger must take preventative measures to stay on the road. Whether maintaining your bicycle or your body, a higher level of diligence is needed or you will suffer breakdowns and injury at the worst possible times.
I would recommend the Bikram Yoga method to anyone serious about taking stamina, meditation and overall good health to the next level. It is also an excellent way for bike messengers to keep their most important tool, their bodies, stretched and toned for long term performance.

For more info visit: http://www.bikramyogasantacruz.com/

or just get down there and sweat, the first week is only $15 and you can go as many times as you want.

Namaste-Rick Graves
photo by Poppy de Garmo

Business is back baby!

Clutch Couriers is a lead indicator of the economic recovery. More people are spending money on advertising, which means there are more people going out and spending, which means you need to get the word out about your event or service!

For more information about our quality printing and promotional services visit:

http://clutchcouriers.com/printworks.php

or call 831-466-0560

Important uses for bike messengers #1

Hire Clutch Couriers to get that Restraining Order in your client's hands that Same Day! Why hire a bike messenger? Our motorized competition won't stand in line for your peace of mind. Only Clutch Couriers, with our 100 year old technology and professional bike messengers who really care about their job, can provide you with that Next Level Legal Service!

Entering our fourth year in business...

What a ride!

We've seen a lot of transition around the Clutch office this year, sending several of our fondest off with a more profound sense of self, and welcoming some exciting new crew members that have really come into their own (Matt, Sally and Brandon).

All along we've maintained and improved our excellent customer service record and grown 35% while showing a profit. Our brand name has been cemented as synonymous with quality service in the community, and that goes a long way in giving us even more pride in our job.

The recognition we have received,(Good Times article http://www.clutchcouriers.com/about.htm and Nomination for Nextie http://clutchcouriers.blogspot.com/2009/12/rick-graves-owner-of-clutch-couriers.html ) has been humbling and hard earned, and we take our professional reputation very seriously.

Our solid crew is ready to conquer whatever 2010 throws at us, we've never had a more dedicated and capable group of individuals working together so well as a team. I've seen this in all situations whether delivering blood, rush filings or posters, the Clutch Couriers Crew puts all the many pieces together on any given day, flawlessly and with joy in their hearts and a little scratch to take home at the end of the day.

To keep that spirit going we celebrated together at Delaveaga Park for Kickballs!:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=129168&id=104853234922

and rang in Clutch's third birthday with a dinner at Shogun where we saw Kevin devour a whole three eyed fish and plate of meat curtains.

For the next year I see our market share growing even more. As our customers see how we come through for them in ways they didn't even think were possible the word gets out exponentially.

Thanks to all the local bike shops (Bike Trip, Spokesman, Daves, Pacific Avenue Cycles, ABS) who have kicked us deals and Thanks to Swobo http://www.swobo.com/ and Chrome Bags http://www.chromebagsstore.com/ for the keen gear-Y'all Rock!

Thanks to all our wonderful clients, our understanding vendors, and our ever loving passers by. This is the year we have felt welcomed the most and we are proud to be among you.

And a special shout out to Peter and Family at Maverick Mailing-remember it's always smooth sailing at Maverick Mailing http://www.maverickmailing.com/

Most of all, as every year, but I think we're all feeling it a little more this one, to our families, our friends, our human community that we rely upon so much-our heartfelt gratitude. We couldn't have done it without you and you are greatly appreciated. What you bring to us when we get home is what makes this job and this life worth it.

Peace in the tens dammit!-RG

Rick Graves Owner of Clutch Couriers Nominated for Nextie Award!

This feels a little like tooting my own horn, but it would be remiss not to mention that I was nominated by Jeremy Neuner for a Nextie award.

http://santacruznext.org/

http://santacruznext.org/2009/12/tickets-now-available-for-the-first-annual-nexties-awards/

This kind of recognition comes only from the hard work of our crew and the support of our community. Thanks Jeremy, Clutch Riders, Clutch Clients and Denizens of Santa Cruz. I am deeply honored, and see you at the Nexties!

"The NEXTies honor young people in Santa Cruz who are doing amazing things locally or globally. These inspiring individuals could live anywhere, but they choose Santa Cruz to apply their talent and passion. These individuals might include entrepreneurs, artists or volunteers who are leaders in their chosen field and are making an impact on the community or the world. Nominees live or work in Santa Cruz County, are between the ages of 22 and 45, and have an inspiring story to tell."

'Hey Rick, I thought you might want to see the write-up that I submitted for your nomination:'

"Rick Graves is the owner of Clutch Couriers, a bicycle-powered courier, legal, and messenger service with clients all over Santa Cruz County. He and his team have built a successful business by focusing on superior customer service, a trait that is (unfortunately) rather lacking in our town. I've worked with Rick in a variety of ways and I've always been impressed with his can-do attitude, good humor, and attention to detail. In a town that (again, unfortunately) is often characterized by its slacker attitude, Rick and his team at Clutch Couriers stand out as people who work hard and play hard.

Here's what impresses me most about Rick: he saw a need in our community for a reliable, high-quality, environmentally-minded courier service. Rick's business isn't high-tech and I doubt that he's getting rich from it. But he wanted to find a way to live and work in Santa Cruz. He wanted to raise his kid here. And, by leveraging his talents and working hard, he filled that community need and found a way to have the lifestyle that he wanted for himself and his family. Moreover, Rick's business is innovative, successful, and environmentally sustainable.

I think Rick Graves stands as a great role model for the entire Santa Cruz NEXT community. Rick has shown us that by being innovative, by working hard, and by sticking to a set of core values, we can succeed in this town and create the kind of economy and the kind of lifestyle that will sustain our community for decades to come.

Plus, Rick is a total stud. He rides his bike to Watsonville and back several times a day. He deserves a NEXTie just for that.....!"

Cheers,
Jeremy



Jeremy Neuner
Co-Founder and CEO
NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, Inc.
www.NextSpace.us