Meet Your Messenger: “Cheatdeath” Gabe
In April, we launched UberRUSH — a reliable ride for your deliveries. We want to introduce you to the men and women who will be coming into your homes and offices to transport your precious cargo.
We met Gabe bright and early one Saturday morning in April during Cesar’s photoshoot for UberRUSH. Our obvious first question to him was, “How’d you get that epic nickname?” But there’s so much more to this messenger than meets the eye. New York City, meet Gabe:
Where are you from originally? Manila, Philippines
How did you end up in New York? I moved here from Puerto Rico when I was 7 years old.
How’d you get into bike messengering? My father was both a painter and a bike messenger. I was also inspired by numerous documentaries.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever delivered? I deliver crazy things every single day, so I’m not entirely sure about that one.
Where are we most likely find you on your down time? In my bed — sleeping. I am always completely exhausted after my days on the road.
What’s your favorite area of the city? The area around Tasty Dumpling in Chinatown.
What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever delivered to? I once had to deliver a 60-pound mattress to Brooklyn on a cargo bike. Trying to go up the Williamsburg bridge while the path was icy, plus the weight of the mattress and the bike itself… That was definitely interesting.
Does your bike have a name? One of my bikes is named Jimmy Hendrix.
How’d you get your notorious nickname? I was struck by a bus and suffered a full-blown head injury, plus two torn shoulders. But I survived! The next thing I knew, my friends were calling me Cheatdeath Gabe.
Want to join Gabe on the road? We’re looking to partner with the best messengers in NYC. If that’s you, reach out to us at PartnersNY@uber.com.