diff --git a/llarp/ev/ev.hpp b/llarp/ev/ev.hpp
index 9c38d2ac1..dbbd16440 100644
--- a/llarp/ev/ev.hpp
+++ b/llarp/ev/ev.hpp
@@ -744,6 +744,9 @@ struct llarp_ev_loop
   virtual int
   tick(int ms) = 0;
 
+  virtual bool
+  add_ticker(std::function< void(void) > ticker) = 0;
+
   virtual void
   stop() = 0;
 
diff --git a/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.cpp b/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.cpp
index 732770dda..bddfc6791 100644
--- a/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.cpp
+++ b/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.cpp
@@ -312,6 +312,39 @@ namespace libuv
     }
   };
 
+  struct ticker_glue : public glue
+  {
+    std::function< void(void) > func;
+
+    ticker_glue(uv_loop_t* loop, std::function< void(void) > tick) : func(tick)
+    {
+      m_Ticker.data = this;
+      uv_check_init(loop, &m_Ticker);
+    }
+
+    static void
+    OnTick(uv_check_t* t)
+    {
+      static_cast< ticker_glue* >(t->data)->func();
+    }
+
+    bool
+    Start()
+    {
+      return uv_check_start(&m_Ticker, &OnTick) != -1;
+    }
+
+    void
+    Close() override
+    {
+      uv_check_stop(&m_Ticker);
+      m_Ticker.data = nullptr;
+      delete this;
+    }
+
+    uv_check_t m_Ticker;
+  };
+
   struct udp_glue : public glue
   {
     uv_udp_t m_Handle;
@@ -737,6 +770,18 @@ namespace libuv
     return false;
   }
 
+  bool
+  Loop::add_ticker(std::function< void(void) > func)
+  {
+    auto* ticker = new ticker_glue(m_Impl.get(), func);
+    if(ticker->Start())
+    {
+      return true;
+    }
+    delete ticker;
+    return false;
+  }
+
   bool
   Loop::udp_close(llarp_udp_io* udp)
   {
diff --git a/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.hpp b/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.hpp
index 3ad9a6389..ab19fec73 100644
--- a/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.hpp
+++ b/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.hpp
@@ -78,6 +78,9 @@ namespace libuv
       return nullptr;
     }
 
+    bool
+    add_ticker(std::function< void(void) > ticker) override;
+
     /// register event listener
     bool
     add_ev(llarp::ev_io*, bool) override
diff --git a/llarp/iwp/linklayer.cpp b/llarp/iwp/linklayer.cpp
index b2e308733..7704dcc3e 100644
--- a/llarp/iwp/linklayer.cpp
+++ b/llarp/iwp/linklayer.cpp
@@ -14,14 +14,10 @@ namespace llarp
         : ILinkLayer(routerEncSecret, getrc, h, sign, est, reneg, timeout,
                      closed)
         , permitInbound{allowInbound}
-        , m_CryptoWorker(4, 1024 * 8, "iwp-worker")
     {
     }
 
-    LinkLayer::~LinkLayer()
-    {
-      m_CryptoWorker.stop();
-    }
+    LinkLayer::~LinkLayer() = default;
 
     void
     LinkLayer::Pump()
@@ -73,21 +69,7 @@ namespace llarp
     void
     LinkLayer::QueueWork(std::function< void(void) > func)
     {
-      m_CryptoWorker.addJob(func);
-    }
-
-    bool
-    LinkLayer::Start(std::shared_ptr< Logic > l)
-    {
-      if(!ILinkLayer::Start(l))
-        return false;
-      return m_CryptoWorker.start();
-    }
-
-    void
-    LinkLayer::Stop()
-    {
-      ILinkLayer::Stop();
+      m_Worker->addJob(func);
     }
 
     void
diff --git a/llarp/iwp/linklayer.hpp b/llarp/iwp/linklayer.hpp
index 4ae305ddf..f481ddf61 100644
--- a/llarp/iwp/linklayer.hpp
+++ b/llarp/iwp/linklayer.hpp
@@ -22,9 +22,6 @@ namespace llarp
 
       ~LinkLayer() override;
 
-      bool
-      Start(std::shared_ptr< Logic > l) override;
-
       std::shared_ptr< ILinkSession >
       NewOutboundSession(const RouterContact &rc,
                          const AddressInfo &ai) override;
@@ -38,9 +35,6 @@ namespace llarp
       const char *
       Name() const override;
 
-      void
-      Stop() override;
-
       uint16_t
       Rank() const override;
 
@@ -59,7 +53,6 @@ namespace llarp
      private:
       std::unordered_map< Addr, RouterID, Addr::Hash > m_AuthedAddrs;
       const bool permitInbound;
-      thread::ThreadPool m_CryptoWorker;
     };
 
     using LinkLayer_ptr = std::shared_ptr< LinkLayer >;
diff --git a/llarp/link/i_link_manager.hpp b/llarp/link/i_link_manager.hpp
index 55d32dd4a..d42c9e98d 100644
--- a/llarp/link/i_link_manager.hpp
+++ b/llarp/link/i_link_manager.hpp
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ namespace llarp
     AddLink(LinkLayer_ptr link, bool inbound = false) = 0;
 
     virtual bool
-    StartLinks(Logic_ptr logic) = 0;
+    StartLinks(Logic_ptr logic,
+               std::shared_ptr< thread::ThreadPool > worker) = 0;
 
     virtual void
     Stop() = 0;
diff --git a/llarp/link/link_manager.cpp b/llarp/link/link_manager.cpp
index 69b58dc0a..09aee0d4d 100644
--- a/llarp/link/link_manager.cpp
+++ b/llarp/link/link_manager.cpp
@@ -89,12 +89,13 @@ namespace llarp
   }
 
   bool
-  LinkManager::StartLinks(Logic_ptr logic)
+  LinkManager::StartLinks(Logic_ptr logic,
+                          std::shared_ptr< thread::ThreadPool > worker)
   {
     LogInfo("starting ", outboundLinks.size(), " outbound links");
     for(const auto &link : outboundLinks)
     {
-      if(!link->Start(logic))
+      if(!link->Start(logic, worker))
       {
         LogWarn("outbound link '", link->Name(), "' failed to start");
         return false;
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ namespace llarp
       LogInfo("starting ", inboundLinks.size(), " inbound links");
       for(const auto &link : inboundLinks)
       {
-        if(!link->Start(logic))
+        if(!link->Start(logic, worker))
         {
           LogWarn("Link ", link->Name(), " failed to start");
           return false;
diff --git a/llarp/link/link_manager.hpp b/llarp/link/link_manager.hpp
index 877a65816..103ef5869 100644
--- a/llarp/link/link_manager.hpp
+++ b/llarp/link/link_manager.hpp
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@ namespace llarp
     AddLink(LinkLayer_ptr link, bool inbound = false) override;
 
     bool
-    StartLinks(Logic_ptr logic) override;
+    StartLinks(Logic_ptr logic,
+               std::shared_ptr< thread::ThreadPool > worker) override;
 
     void
     Stop() override;
diff --git a/llarp/link/server.cpp b/llarp/link/server.cpp
index 8f0cc2d2d..944b2ebc2 100644
--- a/llarp/link/server.cpp
+++ b/llarp/link/server.cpp
@@ -264,9 +264,11 @@ namespace llarp
   }
 
   bool
-  ILinkLayer::Start(std::shared_ptr< Logic > l)
+  ILinkLayer::Start(std::shared_ptr< Logic > l,
+                    std::shared_ptr< thread::ThreadPool > worker)
   {
-    m_Logic = l;
+    m_Worker = worker;
+    m_Logic  = l;
     ScheduleTick(100);
     return true;
   }
diff --git a/llarp/link/server.hpp b/llarp/link/server.hpp
index 499040db2..4d98af8ed 100644
--- a/llarp/link/server.hpp
+++ b/llarp/link/server.hpp
@@ -122,8 +122,9 @@ namespace llarp
     bool
     TryEstablishTo(RouterContact rc);
 
-    virtual bool
-    Start(std::shared_ptr< llarp::Logic > l);
+    bool
+    Start(std::shared_ptr< llarp::Logic > l,
+          std::shared_ptr< thread::ThreadPool > worker);
 
     virtual void
     Stop();
@@ -243,7 +244,8 @@ namespace llarp
     bool
     PutSession(const std::shared_ptr< ILinkSession >& s);
 
-    std::shared_ptr< llarp::Logic > m_Logic = nullptr;
+    std::shared_ptr< llarp::Logic > m_Logic               = nullptr;
+    std::shared_ptr< llarp::thread::ThreadPool > m_Worker = nullptr;
     llarp_ev_loop_ptr m_Loop;
     Addr m_ourAddr;
     llarp_udp_io m_udp;
diff --git a/llarp/path/ihophandler.hpp b/llarp/path/ihophandler.hpp
index ea672d74b..c0495e57c 100644
--- a/llarp/path/ihophandler.hpp
+++ b/llarp/path/ihophandler.hpp
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 #include <crypto/types.hpp>
 #include <util/types.hpp>
 #include <crypto/encrypted_frame.hpp>
+#include <messages/relay.hpp>
+#include <vector>
 
 #include <memory>
 
@@ -22,6 +24,9 @@ namespace llarp
   {
     struct IHopHandler
     {
+      using TrafficEvent_t = std::pair< std::vector< byte_t >, TunnelNonce >;
+      using TrafficQueue_t = std::vector< TrafficEvent_t >;
+
       virtual ~IHopHandler() = default;
 
       virtual bool
@@ -35,14 +40,30 @@ namespace llarp
       SendRoutingMessage(const routing::IMessage& msg, AbstractRouter* r) = 0;
 
       // handle data in upstream direction
-      virtual bool
+      bool
       HandleUpstream(const llarp_buffer_t& X, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                     AbstractRouter* r) = 0;
+                     AbstractRouter*)
+      {
+        m_UpstreamQueue.emplace_back();
+        auto& pkt = m_UpstreamQueue.back();
+        pkt.first.resize(X.sz);
+        std::copy_n(X.base, X.sz, pkt.first.begin());
+        pkt.second = Y;
+        return true;
+      }
 
       // handle data in downstream direction
-      virtual bool
+      bool
       HandleDownstream(const llarp_buffer_t& X, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                       AbstractRouter* r) = 0;
+                       AbstractRouter*)
+      {
+        m_DownstreamQueue.emplace_back();
+        auto& pkt = m_DownstreamQueue.back();
+        pkt.first.resize(X.sz);
+        std::copy_n(X.base, X.sz, pkt.first.begin());
+        pkt.second = Y;
+        return true;
+      }
 
       /// return timestamp last remote activity happened at
       virtual llarp_time_t
@@ -57,9 +78,26 @@ namespace llarp
       {
         return m_SequenceNum++;
       }
+      virtual void
+      FlushQueues(AbstractRouter* r) = 0;
 
      protected:
       uint64_t m_SequenceNum = 0;
+      TrafficQueue_t m_UpstreamQueue;
+      TrafficQueue_t m_DownstreamQueue;
+
+      virtual void
+      UpstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t queue, AbstractRouter* r) = 0;
+
+      virtual void
+      DownstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t queue, AbstractRouter* r) = 0;
+
+      virtual void
+      HandleAllUpstream(std::vector< RelayUpstreamMessage > msgs,
+                        AbstractRouter* r) = 0;
+      virtual void
+      HandleAllDownstream(std::vector< RelayDownstreamMessage > msgs,
+                          AbstractRouter* r) = 0;
     };
 
     using HopHandler_ptr = std::shared_ptr< IHopHandler >;
diff --git a/llarp/path/path.cpp b/llarp/path/path.cpp
index 381ec6f02..d24ca336b 100644
--- a/llarp/path/path.cpp
+++ b/llarp/path/path.cpp
@@ -363,24 +363,55 @@ namespace llarp
       }
     }
 
-    bool
-    Path::HandleUpstream(const llarp_buffer_t& buf, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                         AbstractRouter* r)
+    void
+    Path::HandleAllUpstream(std::vector< RelayUpstreamMessage > msgs,
+                            AbstractRouter* r)
     {
-      TunnelNonce n = Y;
-      for(const auto& hop : hops)
+      for(const auto& msg : msgs)
       {
-        CryptoManager::instance()->xchacha20(buf, hop.shared, n);
-        n ^= hop.nonceXOR;
+        if(!r->SendToOrQueue(Upstream(), &msg))
+        {
+          LogDebug("failed to send upstream to ", Upstream());
+        }
       }
-      RelayUpstreamMessage msg;
-      msg.X      = buf;
-      msg.Y      = Y;
-      msg.pathid = TXID();
-      if(r->SendToOrQueue(Upstream(), &msg))
-        return true;
-      LogError("send to ", Upstream(), " failed");
-      return false;
+    }
+
+    void
+    Path::UpstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t msgs, AbstractRouter* r)
+    {
+      std::vector< RelayUpstreamMessage > sendmsgs(msgs.size());
+      size_t idx = 0;
+      for(const auto& ev : msgs)
+      {
+        const llarp_buffer_t buf(ev.first);
+        TunnelNonce n = ev.second;
+        for(const auto& hop : hops)
+        {
+          CryptoManager::instance()->xchacha20(buf, hop.shared, n);
+          n ^= hop.nonceXOR;
+        }
+        auto& msg  = sendmsgs[idx];
+        msg.X      = buf;
+        msg.Y      = ev.second;
+        msg.pathid = TXID();
+        ++idx;
+      }
+      r->logic()->queue_func(std::bind(&Path::HandleAllUpstream,
+                                       shared_from_this(), std::move(sendmsgs),
+                                       r));
+    }
+
+    void
+    Path::FlushQueues(AbstractRouter* r)
+    {
+      if(!m_UpstreamQueue.empty())
+        r->threadpool()->addJob(std::bind(&Path::UpstreamWork,
+                                          shared_from_this(),
+                                          std::move(m_UpstreamQueue), r));
+      if(!m_DownstreamQueue.empty())
+        r->threadpool()->addJob(std::bind(&Path::DownstreamWork,
+                                          shared_from_this(),
+                                          std::move(m_DownstreamQueue), r));
     }
 
     bool
@@ -406,20 +437,43 @@ namespace llarp
       return ss.str();
     }
 
-    bool
-    Path::HandleDownstream(const llarp_buffer_t& buf, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                           AbstractRouter* r)
+    void
+    Path::DownstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t msgs, AbstractRouter* r)
     {
-      TunnelNonce n = Y;
-      for(const auto& hop : hops)
+      std::vector< RelayDownstreamMessage > sendMsgs(msgs.size());
+      size_t idx = 0;
+      for(auto& ev : msgs)
       {
-        n ^= hop.nonceXOR;
-        CryptoManager::instance()->xchacha20(buf, hop.shared, n);
+        const llarp_buffer_t buf(ev.first);
+        sendMsgs[idx].Y = ev.second;
+        for(const auto& hop : hops)
+        {
+          sendMsgs[idx].Y ^= hop.nonceXOR;
+          CryptoManager::instance()->xchacha20(buf, hop.shared,
+                                               sendMsgs[idx].Y);
+        }
+        sendMsgs[idx].X = buf;
+        ++idx;
+      }
+      r->logic()->queue_func(std::bind(&Path::HandleAllDownstream,
+                                       shared_from_this(), std::move(sendMsgs),
+                                       r));
+    }
+
+    void
+    Path::HandleAllDownstream(std::vector< RelayDownstreamMessage > msgs,
+                              AbstractRouter* r)
+    {
+      for(const auto& msg : msgs)
+      {
+        const llarp_buffer_t buf(msg.X);
+        if(!HandleRoutingMessage(buf, r))
+        {
+          LogWarn("failed to handle downstream message");
+          continue;
+        }
+        m_LastRecvMessage = r->Now();
       }
-      if(!HandleRoutingMessage(buf, r))
-        return false;
-      m_LastRecvMessage = r->Now();
-      return true;
     }
 
     bool
diff --git a/llarp/path/path.hpp b/llarp/path/path.hpp
index 9d7f275a1..e1a9b45c7 100644
--- a/llarp/path/path.hpp
+++ b/llarp/path/path.hpp
@@ -286,16 +286,6 @@ namespace llarp
       bool
       HandleRoutingMessage(const llarp_buffer_t& buf, AbstractRouter* r);
 
-      // handle data in upstream direction
-      bool
-      HandleUpstream(const llarp_buffer_t& X, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                     AbstractRouter* r) override;
-
-      // handle data in downstream direction
-      bool
-      HandleDownstream(const llarp_buffer_t& X, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                       AbstractRouter* r) override;
-
       bool
       IsReady() const;
 
@@ -334,6 +324,24 @@ namespace llarp
       bool
       SendExitClose(const routing::CloseExitMessage& msg, AbstractRouter* r);
 
+      void
+      FlushQueues(AbstractRouter* r) override;
+
+     protected:
+      void
+      UpstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t queue, AbstractRouter* r) override;
+
+      void
+      DownstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t queue, AbstractRouter* r) override;
+
+      void
+      HandleAllUpstream(std::vector< RelayUpstreamMessage > msgs,
+                        AbstractRouter* r) override;
+
+      void
+      HandleAllDownstream(std::vector< RelayDownstreamMessage > msgs,
+                          AbstractRouter* r) override;
+
      private:
       /// call obtained exit hooks
       bool
diff --git a/llarp/path/path_context.cpp b/llarp/path/path_context.cpp
index 84a19f575..3a53b3d79 100644
--- a/llarp/path/path_context.cpp
+++ b/llarp/path/path_context.cpp
@@ -252,6 +252,13 @@ namespace llarp
       return nullptr;
     }
 
+    void
+    PathContext::Pump()
+    {
+      m_TransitPaths.ForEach([&](auto& ptr) { ptr->FlushQueues(m_Router); });
+      m_OurPaths.ForEach([&](auto& ptr) { ptr->FlushQueues(m_Router); });
+    }
+
     void
     PathContext::PutTransitHop(std::shared_ptr< TransitHop > hop)
     {
diff --git a/llarp/path/path_context.hpp b/llarp/path/path_context.hpp
index fce0f1454..0234fb57b 100644
--- a/llarp/path/path_context.hpp
+++ b/llarp/path/path_context.hpp
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ namespace llarp
       void
       ExpirePaths(llarp_time_t now);
 
+      void
+      Pump();
+
       void
       AllowTransit();
 
diff --git a/llarp/path/pathset.cpp b/llarp/path/pathset.cpp
index 5514d51e2..79b3af3b4 100644
--- a/llarp/path/pathset.cpp
+++ b/llarp/path/pathset.cpp
@@ -375,5 +375,12 @@ namespace llarp
       return nullptr;
     }
 
+    void
+    PathSet::FlushQueues(AbstractRouter* r)
+
+    {
+      ForEachPath([r](const Path_ptr& ptr) { ptr->FlushQueues(r); });
+    }
+
   }  // namespace path
 }  // namespace llarp
diff --git a/llarp/path/pathset.hpp b/llarp/path/pathset.hpp
index 802351d63..ed59cb532 100644
--- a/llarp/path/pathset.hpp
+++ b/llarp/path/pathset.hpp
@@ -275,6 +275,9 @@ namespace llarp
         }
       }
 
+      void
+      FlushQueues(AbstractRouter* r);
+
       size_t numPaths;
 
      protected:
diff --git a/llarp/path/transit_hop.cpp b/llarp/path/transit_hop.cpp
index b9a46c24c..858b8f1f1 100644
--- a/llarp/path/transit_hop.cpp
+++ b/llarp/path/transit_hop.cpp
@@ -114,39 +114,96 @@ namespace llarp
       return HandleDownstream(buf, N, r);
     }
 
-    bool
-    TransitHop::HandleDownstream(const llarp_buffer_t& buf,
-                                 const TunnelNonce& Y, AbstractRouter* r)
+    void
+    TransitHop::DownstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t msgs, AbstractRouter* r)
     {
-      RelayDownstreamMessage msg;
-      msg.pathid = info.rxID;
-      msg.Y      = Y ^ nonceXOR;
-      CryptoManager::instance()->xchacha20(buf, pathKey, Y);
-      msg.X = buf;
-      llarp::LogDebug("relay ", msg.X.size(), " bytes downstream from ",
-                      info.upstream, " to ", info.downstream);
-      return r->SendToOrQueue(info.downstream, &msg);
+      std::vector< RelayDownstreamMessage > sendmsgs(msgs.size());
+      size_t idx = 0;
+      for(auto& ev : msgs)
+      {
+        const llarp_buffer_t buf(ev.first);
+        auto& msg  = sendmsgs[idx];
+        msg.pathid = info.rxID;
+        msg.Y      = ev.second ^ nonceXOR;
+        CryptoManager::instance()->xchacha20(buf, pathKey, ev.second);
+        msg.X = buf;
+        llarp::LogDebug("relay ", msg.X.size(), " bytes downstream from ",
+                        info.upstream, " to ", info.downstream);
+        ++idx;
+      }
+      r->logic()->queue_func(std::bind(&TransitHop::HandleAllDownstream,
+                                       shared_from_this(), std::move(sendmsgs),
+                                       r));
     }
 
-    bool
-    TransitHop::HandleUpstream(const llarp_buffer_t& buf, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                               AbstractRouter* r)
+    void
+    TransitHop::UpstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t msgs, AbstractRouter* r)
+    {
+      std::vector< RelayUpstreamMessage > sendmsgs(msgs.size());
+      size_t idx = 0;
+      for(auto& ev : msgs)
+      {
+        const llarp_buffer_t buf(ev.first);
+        auto& msg = sendmsgs[idx];
+        CryptoManager::instance()->xchacha20(buf, pathKey, ev.second);
+        msg.pathid = info.txID;
+        msg.Y      = ev.second ^ nonceXOR;
+        msg.X      = buf;
+        ++idx;
+      }
+      r->logic()->queue_func(std::bind(&TransitHop::HandleAllUpstream,
+                                       shared_from_this(), std::move(sendmsgs),
+                                       r));
+    }
+
+    void
+    TransitHop::HandleAllUpstream(std::vector< RelayUpstreamMessage > msgs,
+                                  AbstractRouter* r)
     {
-      CryptoManager::instance()->xchacha20(buf, pathKey, Y);
       if(IsEndpoint(r->pubkey()))
       {
-        m_LastActivity = r->Now();
-        return r->ParseRoutingMessageBuffer(buf, this, info.rxID);
+        for(const auto& msg : msgs)
+        {
+          const llarp_buffer_t buf(msg.X);
+          if(!r->ParseRoutingMessageBuffer(buf, this, info.rxID))
+            continue;
+          m_LastActivity = r->Now();
+        }
       }
+      else
+      {
+        for(const auto& msg : msgs)
+        {
+          llarp::LogDebug("relay ", msg.X.size(), " bytes upstream from ",
+                          info.downstream, " to ", info.upstream);
+          r->SendToOrQueue(info.upstream, &msg);
+        }
+      }
+    }
 
-      RelayUpstreamMessage msg;
-      msg.pathid = info.txID;
-      msg.Y      = Y ^ nonceXOR;
+    void
+    TransitHop::HandleAllDownstream(std::vector< RelayDownstreamMessage > msgs,
+                                    AbstractRouter* r)
+    {
+      for(const auto& msg : msgs)
+      {
+        llarp::LogDebug("relay ", msg.X.size(), " bytes downstream from ",
+                        info.downstream, " to ", info.upstream);
+        r->SendToOrQueue(info.downstream, &msg);
+      }
+    }
 
-      msg.X = buf;
-      llarp::LogDebug("relay ", msg.X.size(), " bytes upstream from ",
-                      info.downstream, " to ", info.upstream);
-      return r->SendToOrQueue(info.upstream, &msg);
+    void
+    TransitHop::FlushQueues(AbstractRouter* r)
+    {
+      if(!m_UpstreamQueue.empty())
+        r->threadpool()->addJob(std::bind(&TransitHop::UpstreamWork,
+                                          shared_from_this(),
+                                          std::move(m_UpstreamQueue), r));
+      if(!m_DownstreamQueue.empty())
+        r->threadpool()->addJob(std::bind(&TransitHop::DownstreamWork,
+                                          shared_from_this(),
+                                          std::move(m_DownstreamQueue), r));
     }
 
     bool
@@ -228,7 +285,6 @@ namespace llarp
         {
           if(SendRoutingMessage(reply, r))
           {
-            r->PumpLL();
             ep->Close();
             return true;
           }
diff --git a/llarp/path/transit_hop.hpp b/llarp/path/transit_hop.hpp
index eb958eb50..c29a5b6b4 100644
--- a/llarp/path/transit_hop.hpp
+++ b/llarp/path/transit_hop.hpp
@@ -79,7 +79,9 @@ namespace llarp
       return info.print(out, -1, -1);
     }
 
-    struct TransitHop : public IHopHandler, public routing::IMessageHandler
+    struct TransitHop : public IHopHandler,
+                        public routing::IMessageHandler,
+                        std::enable_shared_from_this< TransitHop >
     {
       TransitHop();
 
@@ -193,15 +195,23 @@ namespace llarp
       bool
       HandleDHTMessage(const dht::IMessage& msg, AbstractRouter* r) override;
 
-      // handle data in upstream direction
-      bool
-      HandleUpstream(const llarp_buffer_t& X, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                     AbstractRouter* r) override;
+      void
+      FlushQueues(AbstractRouter* r) override;
 
-      // handle data in downstream direction
-      bool
-      HandleDownstream(const llarp_buffer_t& X, const TunnelNonce& Y,
-                       AbstractRouter* r) override;
+     protected:
+      void
+      UpstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t queue, AbstractRouter* r) override;
+
+      void
+      DownstreamWork(TrafficQueue_t queue, AbstractRouter* r) override;
+
+      void
+      HandleAllUpstream(std::vector< RelayUpstreamMessage > msgs,
+                        AbstractRouter* r) override;
+
+      void
+      HandleAllDownstream(std::vector< RelayDownstreamMessage > msgs,
+                          AbstractRouter* r) override;
 
      private:
       void
diff --git a/llarp/router/router.cpp b/llarp/router/router.cpp
index 9a72d542b..ef55a3942 100644
--- a/llarp/router/router.cpp
+++ b/llarp/router/router.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include <util/metrics/metrics.hpp>
 #include <util/str.hpp>
 #include <utp/utp.hpp>
+#include <ev/ev.hpp>
 
 #include <fstream>
 #include <cstdlib>
@@ -164,6 +165,9 @@ namespace llarp
   void
   Router::PumpLL()
   {
+    _logic->tick(time_now_ms());
+    paths.Pump();
+    _logic->tick(time_now_ms());
     _linkManager.PumpLinks();
   }
 
@@ -913,7 +917,7 @@ namespace llarp
       return false;
     }
     _outboundSessionMaker.SetOurRouter(pubkey());
-    if(!_linkManager.StartLinks(_logic))
+    if(!_linkManager.StartLinks(_logic, cryptoworker))
     {
       LogWarn("One or more links failed to start.");
       return false;
@@ -987,7 +991,7 @@ namespace llarp
     }
 
     LogInfo("have ", nodedb->num_loaded(), " routers");
-
+    _netloop->add_ticker(std::bind(&Router::PumpLL, this));
     ScheduleTicker(1000);
     _running.store(true);
     _startedAt = Now();
@@ -1039,6 +1043,7 @@ namespace llarp
     _exitContext.Stop();
     if(rpcServer)
       rpcServer->Stop();
+    paths.Pump();
     _linkManager.PumpLinks();
     _logic->call_later({200, this, &RouterAfterStopIssued});
   }
diff --git a/test/link/test_llarp_link.cpp b/test/link/test_llarp_link.cpp
index 958e85da8..c8ac1955f 100644
--- a/test/link/test_llarp_link.cpp
+++ b/test/link/test_llarp_link.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ struct LinkLayerTest : public test::LlarpTest< llarp::sodium::CryptoLibSodium >
       rc.enckey = encryptionKey.toPublic();
     }
 
+    std::shared_ptr<thread::ThreadPool> worker;
+
     SecretKey signingKey;
     SecretKey encryptionKey;
 
@@ -37,6 +39,12 @@ struct LinkLayerTest : public test::LlarpTest< llarp::sodium::CryptoLibSodium >
 
     bool gotLIM = false;
 
+    void Setup()
+    {
+        worker = std::make_shared<thread::ThreadPool>(1, 128, "test-worker");
+        worker->start();
+    }
+
     const RouterContact&
     GetRC() const
     {
@@ -85,7 +93,7 @@ struct LinkLayerTest : public test::LlarpTest< llarp::sodium::CryptoLibSodium >
         return false;
       if(!rc.Sign(signingKey))
         return false;
-      return link->Start(logic);
+      return link->Start(logic, worker);
     }
 
     void
@@ -93,6 +101,8 @@ struct LinkLayerTest : public test::LlarpTest< llarp::sodium::CryptoLibSodium >
     {
       if(link)
         link->Stop();
+      if(worker)
+        worker->stop();
     }
 
     void
@@ -100,6 +110,7 @@ struct LinkLayerTest : public test::LlarpTest< llarp::sodium::CryptoLibSodium >
     {
       Stop();
       link.reset();
+      worker.reset();
     }
   };
 
@@ -125,6 +136,8 @@ struct LinkLayerTest : public test::LlarpTest< llarp::sodium::CryptoLibSodium >
     RouterContact::Lifetime    = 500;
     netLoop                    = llarp_make_ev_loop();
     m_logic.reset(new Logic());
+    Alice.Setup();
+    Bob.Setup();
   }
 
   void