Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Rain Rain Rain 2


Well the weekend was a bit of a washout! Friday we ploughed on as usual and Saturday day time we made our usual appearances but sadly we had to call a halt on Saturday evening at about 10pm. Not may we add because we couldn’t handle the rain but simply because there is hardly and passing trade when it pouring,

Sunday was sadly the same, if you live in Hereford you’ll know it belted down all day! No Good!

Things are still moving on now, we should have a couple more riders starting very soon (just waiting for police checks to clear) and the cargo scheme looks like it could be in place for August… more to come on that shortly.

Some of you may also remember my fixed wheel bike dream, well that also wont be long now, word is it has arrived in the factory, so it’s now waiting patiently to be built up.

In other news we’re still looking for more riders for the summer season so if your keen, get in touch!

Play safe!

Will

Friday, May 18, 2007

Article

Hello all!,

Interesting article about us here - READ ARTICLE

Busy day of meetings today, council, taxi fims, all very exciting!

Will

Thursday, May 17, 2007

WANTED... NEW RIDERS!!


New Riders Wanted for Hereford Pedicabs.

We are looking for a host of new people to ride our bikes/expanding fleet of bikes! Riders will have to be over 21 and will have to go through the process of becoming a Hackney Carriage Rider at their own expense.

Of course it’s not just as simple as getting a taxi licence, riders will be keen cyclists, and aware of our policies. We’re looking for engaging individuals who can happily cycle all day in the rain and still have a big smile on their face! They’ll have a good knowledge of both how to get about in Hereford and what’s going on.

Most importantly, riders will enjoy spending time with like minded people and relish the opportunity of being part of Herefords first green sustainable taxi service.

At the moment there are Friday and Saturday night time (6pm-Midnight) and Saturday and Sunday day time shifts (10am-4pm). Riders pay a small lease for the bike, which covers maintenance and insurance, they then keep all the tips they make for themselves. As self employed individuals riders are responsible for declaring what they earn to the tax man.

Think you’ve got what it takes to ride a Pedicab? Email me – will@herefordpedicabs.com, tell me about yourself, what you can bring to Hereford Pedicabs and why you want to ride for us. Attach a recent C.V if you have one, if not tell me what you’ve been up to, what your plans are and what you do at the moment.

I really look forward to hearing from you.

Will Vaughan
Rider and Director
Hereford Pedicabs

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Eco podcast

Hello all, as you will know I did an interview the other day for 24dash.com, it was a weird one as I was expected to do the interview whilst pedalling, so see what you make of it, our bit comes on at about 9 mins in but it's worth listening from 8:52 to 18:14 you can find it here- our podcast!

Let me know what you think! I think I was out of breath, could have avoided the bumps a bit better and should find a new word instead of fantastic to describe pedicabs, but you cant win them all!

Will

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Rain stops play.. almost

Amazing weekend, Ben has been away so I've been holding the fort. Friday night was by all accounts pretty dead in town, the pedicabs however were going strong, people really getting the idea of jumping on, tipping and having a great time.

The same could not be said for Saturday day time, I had to pack up after a few hours as the rain was quashing the custom, I did however get the chance to save the day and rush a bride to her wedding at the shire hall, she arrived blanket on her lap just in time. Glad we were able to help!

Saturday night was incredible, had the most customers I have ever had in one shift (6-12) and did some serious mileage, thanks to all of you and glad I could help. To whoever tipped with a make-up brush thanks a million it's ideal for cleaning the fiddly bits on the bike and cheers to the cowgirls for brightening up the cab with a bit of glitter!

Today it is raining hard as you can see from the picture so I'm having an admin day as have a few bits to get on with next week.

As always thank you for reading this, riding with us and making it the best job there is!

Play safe
Will

Friday, May 11, 2007

Rain Rain Rain


Well well, the rain doesn't look like stopping, looks like i'm in for a damp one, if your jumping on make sure you smile!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Hereford Pedicabs asked to do Eco Podcast


Claire Fisher from 24dash.com rang me today to ask if she could speak to Hereford Pedicabs about environmental type stuff for there weekly podcasts, they get masses of hits so it should be good for us. They also want to do a video about us which will be cool!

In other news, the weather is looking awful for the weekend so should be a good time to see if people want to use pedicabs in the rain and if our hoods work!!

Ben's in France this weekend and as we don't have any new riders on board yet looks like i'll be riding the streets on my own, if any of you blog readers are interested in riding for us in the future drop me a line - will@herefordpedicabs.com -it helps if you have a Hackney Carriage Licence but we can help you with that, tell me why your keen, what would make you a good rider and what you would do if I asked you to take me on a 30 min tour of Hereford!

Play safe blog readers..

Will

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Fixed Wheel

Have decided upon a fixed wheel bike, from a company called swobo, should be lighter too ride than a rickshaw . . more to come soon, one of the major factors was the way swobo do their business..

http://www.swobo.com/history.aspx

Friday, May 4, 2007

Customer 1000 Lucy Pearce!!!!


We did it!! Lucy is the one with the champagne (alright..cava). We had a goal tonight which was easily achievable, we were just 40 customers away from number 1000. So after getting 39 we headed down to the Hop Pole, as the guys there have been really good to us and we thought they might enjoy it, and waited for the lucky customer.

I'd put a bit of thought in, bought some cakes, streamers, party poppers and best of all stuffed a ghetto blaster with Kool and the Gang's 'Celebrate good time come on!' and Cliff Richards 'Congratulations' on a cd back to back.
So we waited and waited and then 5 turned up (Lucy and her friends) so we asked one to step on, let the music roll and got the party underway! The bouncers gave us a quick round of applause and then we headed, music blaring all the way to the Barrels, making sure we wnet through town. Everyone we saw cheered and generally gave us a pat on the back.

It was great going to the barrels, close followers of the blog will know that the idea was developed their over the first few days, so it was brilliant to be heading there. The landlord popped out to the beer garden (where we recieved an almighty cheer) to say well done.

So here's to Lucy, and her mates and to all the other 999 people that have made the last three and a bit weeks so much fun.

Thanks guys.

Will

Fixie

So time for an update about my planned new bike.

First of all, if you want to see what it's all about have a look at this VIDEO, to me it sums up the sort of bike i'm after.

I rode a fixed wheel bike yesterday it was unreal, no noise, no brakes, constantly engaged with the bike. I'm still in a dilema about what sort of bike to go for, wether I go for a single speed frame with an MTB edge or something more street, i'm not sure. Half of me thinks get soemthig that I can use for mbb as well. half says make it a dedicated street machine. To that end i've been looking at these new bikes from swobo, super smooth, i've also been looking at some frames by a company called surly.

I've no idea yet really, i think i'm going to go down the street version, tight riser bars, no brakes, fixed wheel, semi slicks.... watch this space.

Also dont forget...Customer 1000 tonight!

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Our little trooper

As you guys might know, Ben and I are flat out with stuff in our main jobs. So we need help here and there on things which maybe we aren't too sure on.

I spoke to a friend and work mate of mine to ask for some help sorting our financial matters (tracking money, reciepts etc), she didn't hesitate to say she'd help. That's the type of girl she is. A real trooper willing to help us with whatever she can and keen to do whatever it takes to help us get where we want to get to.

So from Ben and I, thanks a million Angie, we couldn't do this without you..

Sustainable already..


Great few weeks for Pedicabs,

Big meeting last week with the Inland Revenue about people who come to ride for us being self employed and leasing cabs from us.

It all went well, really well and what Ben and I know now is that if we step back from pedicabs and don't choose to take it any further, it's already sustainable. The leasing fee will pay for the bikes to be maintained and insured and the tips are such that riders can earn a crust. Which is amazing.

So it's been a success, it is a success.

Hereford Pedicabs is officially Hereford's first sustainable green transport company and taxi service.

But we aren't going to stop here, it's time to go from strength to strength, to believe in what we have achieved and grow it. Enhance our service, work on the inter office travel scheme, develop our cargo service.. focus on our direction.

Hold on tight folks...here.....we......go...