GuideLight: Brewpubs & Pedicabs, a New Austin Pastime
Each week in "In the GuideLight," we speak with guides about their activities, their interests, and what their guiding experience means to them.
In our inaugural interview Nathan L, owner Austin's Metrocycle Pedicabs, gives us an insider's perspective into Austin's competitive cycle rickshaw industry. We also learn about the health benefits of beer and find out one of the biggest perks of being a pedicab driver in Austin, TX: picking up celebrity fares. Out of all the things to do in Austin, taking a ride in a pedicab is a must. Just ask the Naked Cowboy.
----
Sam: Beer and pedicabs: whatâs the connection?
Nathan L: There are a lot of bars spread over a large area in Austin. So anyone that's ever been out drinking in Austin will have seen or taken a pedicab. Its just a fun and fast way to get around downtown. So beer and pedicabs has always gone together. The difference is now we're offering a daytime tour of breweries. There are a lot of new and innovative micro breweries in Austin, so I thought it'd be great to offer a pedicab tour that enables customers to sample these beers. The response from customers has been really positive... I guess it helps that they're drinking free beer!
S: Free beer is a wonderful thing. So is getting a discount on the activity. Lately you've reduced the price of your tours to generate some interest. Do you think that's part of the reason you got to the be the number two guide on the site?
NL: I had no idea I was number two on GuideHop. Honestly I think Aaron pulled a favor for me.... but Iâm not sure.
S: Aaron is still number one and has been for a while. You have any plans for taking the throne?Â
NL: Wow. Aaron lives and breathes adventure. He travels a lot and is constantly doing some fun outdoor activity. He definitely poses a challenge, but he doesn't drink alcohol. That's probably the only advantage I have over him.
S: You don't use beer to carbo-load before a day of pedicabbing do you?
NL: Well beer is made from grain so itâs got the healthy carbs.
S: Of course. That's why I drink beer... Anyway, next question: Who is the most famous person you or any of the Metrocycle drivers ever drove? And if you could choose any person (dead or alive) to have as a fare, who would it be?
NL: We've definitely ridden a few celebrities: Bill Murray, Steve-O, Johnny Knoxville, Owen Wilson, The Naked Cowboy, Wavy Gravy, Gwar, to name a few. I think it'd be cool to give a ride to Warren Buffet and receive a million dollar tip.
S: I like the idea that Warren Buffet walks around with millions of dollars cash just to tip people. His valet would be a billionaire. But barring the million dollar tip possibility, what are your plans for the future of your pedicab business?
NL: He could just give me a million dollar tip in stock market advice. Hehe.
When I started pedicabbing there were only about 70 pedicabs. In the last few years this number has swollen to 375!! 100 pedicabs were added just prior to this year's SXSW. So to be honest I'm holding back from doing anything and just watching to see how the pedicab market reacts to this.
I'm also looking at alternatives to solely working the nightlife crowd, hence the brewery tour and the Austin tour.
S: Have you looked into alternative forms of transportation? Like a Tuk Tuk powered by animal waste?Â
NL: Wow thats pretty cool. I should get on that poop train.
----
If you have any ideas about the future of pedicabbing, let Nathan and the rest of us know on our Facebook or tell it to @GuideHop.
-Sam













