Getting paid to ride a motorbike. Isn't life funny!

[Oakie]

Been a bizarre three weeks. Firstly, the mother-in-law passed away on Sunday 28th Jan. Ultimately this necessitated me doing my first big out of town trip for 4 years - Christchurch to Dunedin facing stinking hot weather on the way down on Tuesday 30th. The trip back on Thursday 1st was even more entertaining with torrential rain from Dunedin to Timaru, stinking hot again from Timaru to Ashburton and then add in gale force winds for the rest of the trip to Christchurch. Fell in love with biking again over those three days. Oh, did I mention that while in Dunedin after the funeral we had to rush away and rescue the bike from where it was garaged which was right over the road from the big fire that broke out in the industrial area.

Back to work on Monday 5th to be told mid afternoon that my position was being made redundant. Doom and gloom ... Sky TV cancelled, mortgage can be adjusted and a couple of other things tweaked to make it surviveable if I accept their 'Plan B, which sees my hours cut in half and hourly rate cut by 20%. Sunday 11th looking through the Trade me adverts for truck driving jobs to take advantage of my HT licence when I spied one that read "Do you enjoy working OUTDOORS riding a MOTORBIKE and having WEEKENDS FREE? ... blah blah blah, "40 hours per week on average". Cover letter written that day and sent. Phone call next morning asking me to interview the following day. Asked back to show my riding and delivery skills today, Friday 16th and now I have a new job as a DX delivery rider. Stress free job compared to the current one ... I won't be lying awake at 4am worrying about this job. So from redundancy notice to a new job in a new sphere in 12 days at age 57. Not bad. Last time I was made redundant at age 32 it took me 18 months to land a full time job.

Did I mention I'm getting paid to ride a motorbike. :)

[oldrider]

On ya Oakie - nice positive attitude in the face of adversity - your star will shine again, good things take time as they say in the cheese adverts! :ride: :clap:

[Oakie]

On ya Oakie - nice positive attitude in the face of adversity - your star will shine again, good things take time as they say in the cheese adverts! :ride: :clap:

Cheers John. Potentially this job could do me to retirement although I'll be happy if it lasts the three years until the mortgage is paid off.

[johcar]

Motorcycle courier is a great job - did two and a half years in London in the early eighties, then five years back in Auckland when I came home. The money was good in those days, so it helped get through those 23% mortgage rate years-at the end of the eighties...

Winter can be a bit of a challenge, but wearing the right gear makes it almost enjoyable.

Have fun and ride safe!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

[Murray]

I would also, while you are at it, drop your name in with NZ Post. They are more stable and pay a bit better. Wife is currently driving the new paxters but there are also motorbike positions that become available at times.

Good on yah

[TheDemonLord]

Congrats man!

[caseye]

So! Bloody Jealous Oakie, Nice work man!
Every cloud, as they say.

[OddDuck]

Good work Oakie!

[pritch]

Best wishes for the new job. May it not rain too often.

[Swoop]

Awesome!

Get out there and enjoy!

[Laava]

A lot of the tribesmen up here in the far north are motorcycle couriers!

[Moi]

A lot of the tribesmen up here in the far north are motorcycle couriers!

You mean they work for the local garden nursery...


To the OP, great news on the new position...

[oldrider]

I think having to ride on wet and icy roads for up to 8hrs a day will rapidly take his enthusiasm for the job away.

You certainly don't know Oakie then - do you? :oi-grr:

[Reckless]

You certainly don't know Oakie then - do you? :oi-grr:

She's on Ignore but from the quote no real love for motorcycling either :(

Congrats Oakie good score mate :)

[Akzle]

You certainly don't know fucken anything then - do you? :oi-grr:

fixed that there.

guess pants-optional thusdays didnt go down well with management

[Laava]

You mean they work for the local garden nursery...


To the OP, great news on the new position...

Yep, local garden nursery, clandestine laboratory, all same same!
Hooning around on their V rods...

[Oakie]

fixed that there. guess pants-optional thusdays didnt go down well with management Ha ha! Got that right brother. I believe they are right into the 'masturbation for fitness' routine though.

[Akzle]

Ha ha! Got that right brother. I believe they are right into the 'masturbation for fitness' routine though.

chin up yo. every door that closes,
can be blasted open with plastique... or whatever the saying is.

[Oakie]

I think having to ride on wet and icy roads for up to 8hrs a day will rapidly take his enthusiasm for the job away.

Hell no! There is a real satisfaction in completing a ride in adverse weather conditions. You should try it some time. The shittier the weather, the bigger the buzz. Besides, HSE ... you're not expected to ride if the roads are actually icy.
Rain? No such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.

Kinda looking forward to see what the remnants of tropical storm Gita gets to throw at me on the commute tomorrow too.

[Akzle]

...can be breached with a 12 gauge?

[Akzle]

Hell no! There is a real satisfaction in completing a ride in adverse weather conditions. You should try it some time. The shittier the weather, the bigger the buzz. Besides, HSE ... you're not expected to ride if the roads are actually icy.
Rain? No such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.

Kinda looking forward to see what the remnants of tropical storm Gita gets to throw at me on the commute tomorrow too.

don't respond to fuckwit. that just encourages it.

[Akzle]

semtex... it was something to do with semtex i'm sure

[Oakie]

semtex... it was something to do with semtex i'm sure

And sometimes doors are just left wide open for you. Semtex would be more spectacular though.

[YellowDog]

I used to work at NZ Post as a motorcycle delivery person. It was on CT110s in those days. I hope they give you something a bit more beefy?

Congrats on the job :yes:

[Oakie]

I used to work at NZ Post as a motorcycle delivery person. It was on CT110s in those days. I hope they give you something a bit more beefy?

Congrats on the job :yes:

Im think they still have the CT110s but they also have a fuel injected Honda 125 .... a Cub or Scout or even a Cub Scout.

[crack]

Im envious of anyone that gets up with a smile and enjoys their job.

Good on you mate, go for it.

Well done.:yes:

[Oakie]

Big day yesterday. Went and got fitted for my new gear ... helmet, both summer and winter jacket and pants, a pair of gloves and some Sidi boots. Then I went back to work and handed in my written resignation to confirm I was leaving before they had planned that I would.

Funny. Everyone at work is pretty upset that I'm leaving ... so much so that I'm probably the happiest person there about my redundancy.

[sidecar bob]

So was riding as a full time job not as safe as you thought?

Comprehension, D- must pay more attention in class.

[Akzle]

So was riding as a full time job not as safe as you thought?

well. your a fuckwit. but i think i'll go with swup's thing.

you really need to f.o.c.u.s.

[Oakie]

So was riding as a full time job not as safe as you thought?

Huh?
A) Can't see in the thread where you got that from
B) Haven't actually started yet (26 March)
C) Why on earth would I'd think anything to do with bike riding was safe?

[george formby]

Huh?
A) Can't see in the thread where you got that from
B) Haven't actually started yet (26 March)
C) Why on earth would I'd think anything to do with bike riding was safe?

It's been quite pleasant around here without the doom slinging master whinger.

Enjoy your new job.

57? I can't think of anything better to keep your faculties sharp and juices flowing.

May your visor stay clear and bike be shaft drive.

[Oakie]

My last day at my current job tomorrow although by the sounds of it there won't be much work done. In fact the GM told me last week to have my work done by Thursday to leave Friday for goodbyes.
Lunch is booked ... 11am - 3pm. I feel there will be more than just lunch going on. Drinks at the pub starting at 5pm.

Staff had a whip around to get me a leaving gift that I got today. $275 voucher for here ... http://budgetmotorcyclespares.co.nz/

Awesomes!

[oldrider]

My last day at my current job tomorrow although by the sounds of it there won't be much work done. In fact the GM told me last week to have my work done by Thursday to leave Friday for goodbyes.
Lunch is booked ... 11am - 3pm. I feel there will be more than just lunch going on. Drinks at the pub starting at 5pm.

Staff had a whip around to get me a leaving gift that I got today. $275 voucher for here ... http://budgetmotorcyclespares.co.nz/

Awesomes!

How'd yer final day go Oakie? :drinknsin

[Moi]

How'd yer final day go Oakie? :drinknsin

I'm going to suggest that as Oakie hasn't replied by 22:30, probably very well... and probably very well deserved too!



Let's await the report of the first day in the saddle... all the best for Monday!

[Oakie]

How'd yer final day go Oakie? :drinknsin


I'm going to suggest that as Oakie hasn't replied by 22:30, probably very well... and probably very well deserved too!
Let's await the report of the first day in the saddle... all the best for Monday!

Well thanks for asking. Had a lovely last day. Tidied up some loose end until 11am then 9 of us went here http://www.crateescape.co.nz/ 4 in one rom, 5 in the other and fortunately I didn't get the 'cold room' ... @ 3 degrees.
Followed that up with a meal out then back to work for a couple of hours before heading off to the pub for a couple of bevvies before Mrs Oakie came and picked me up and carted me home with a nice Indian takeaway for late tea.

Don't miss the work but realised on the way home how much I'm going to miss the three ladies I shared my office with.

Still ... roll on Monday!

[oldrider]

Still ... roll on Monday!

Be sure to keep us posted! (aka - growing the business?)

[Oakie]

Be sure to keep us posted! (aka - growing the business?)

Arr har har! "Posted".

[Swoop]

Huh?
A) Can't see in the thread where you got that from
The idiot loves to take massive leaps towards a conclusion that only makes sense in her mind. Obviously hasn't heard of OSH or PPE that is supplied by an employer.:rolleyes:

I thought of you while out for a quick blat today. A postie giving it "what-ho!" across the roads and along the footpaths with loads of lean angle happening as well! He was certainly having a good day at the office!:ride:

[Oakie]

The idiot loves to take massive leaps towards a conclusion that only makes sense in her mind. Obviously hasn't heard of OSH or PPE that is supplied by an employer.:rolleyes:

I thought of you while out for a quick blat today. A postie giving it "what-ho!" across the roads and along the footpaths with loads of lean angle happening as well! He was certainly having a good day at the office!:ride:

Speaking of lean angle, after my first delivery run today I was heading back to base and started enjoying the big sweeper that goes back under the road into 'Dakota(?) Park by the airport when I remembered I was on skinny tyres instead of my own bike. Buttoned off quite a bit at that point.

[samgab]

Good on you with the new job! They say get a job doing something you love doing and you'll never work another day in your life. Truer words never wuz spake.
A year or two ago I applied for a job as an NZ Post motorcycle postie... Got called back for an interview, but something else came up at the same time, so I declined the interview and withdrew my application. I sometimes still wonder if I should've taken that branch in life rather than the one I did take... Anyway, enjoy the job ... getting paid to cruise around on a motorbike!

[FJRider]

And sometimes doors are just left wide open for you. Semtex would be more spectacular though.

Semtex is great for opening doors (and leaves them wide open for future use) ... :yes: but it has other uses. You can go fishing with it ...



Apparently ... :innocent:

[Oakie]

Good on you with the new job! They say get a job doing something you love doing and you'll never work another day in your life. Truer words never wuz spake.
A year or two ago I applied for a job as an NZ Post motorcycle postie... Got called back for an interview, but something else came up at the same time, so I declined the interview and withdrew my application. I sometimes still wonder if I should've taken that branch in life rather than the one I did take... Anyway, enjoy the job ... getting paid to cruise around on a motorbike!

Worked 8.30am to 2.30pm today and at the end I knew I'd done an honest 6 hours work. Quite mentally tiring and even got a couple of blisters on my thumbs from doing the delivery part without gloves. Getting some fingerless gloves tomorrow. Enjoyed the ride home on my own bike and within a few minutes of getting home I felt great. Even did some housework to make Mrs Oakie happy when she gets home later on.

[caseye]

Worked 8.30am to 2.30pm today and at the end I knew I'd done an honest 6 hours work. Quite mentally tiring and even got a couple of blisters on my thumbs from doing the delivery part without gloves. Getting some fingerless gloves tomorrow. Enjoyed the ride home on my own bike and within a few minutes of getting home I felt great. Even did some housework to make Mrs Oakie happy when she gets home later on.

That old Trick, won't work! tell ya, she'll say, thanks, butt no thanks.
Great news to hear it's no slog, well done Oakie

[Swoop]

Worked 8.30am to 2.30pm today and at the end I knew I'd done an honest 6 hours work. Quite mentally tiring and even got a couple of blisters on my thumbs from doing the delivery part without gloves. Getting some fingerless gloves tomorrow. Enjoyed the ride home on my own bike and within a few minutes of getting home I felt great. Even did some housework to make Mrs Oakie happy when she gets home later on.

Most excellent!

Next you'll be saying you are losing weight and giving up the gym membership as well.:first:

[danchop]

Weather wise, summers the worst with the heat and wearing gear...
You will find it frustrating in rain how fucken shit the paper is they make envelopes from nowadays, a couple of droplets and you're potentially reading pretty juicy confidential shit on the guy who owns the letterbox, you've just pulled up to...
Be prepared for superhero status and have you're autograph signature sorted, every small kid around thinks you have the best job around, barring working in a chocolate factory
If you smoke tobacco, preroll for rainy days cause you're fingers will not dry up
Make sure you've got good storage area and hot water cylinder to dry out wet gear.. at least start you're next morning damp but warmish. Even good gear will have wet cuffs, collar etc

[Oakie]

Most excellent! Next you'll be saying you are losing weight and giving up the gym membership as well.:first:

Weight ... well it's cut down the opportunites to snack during the day so who knows. As for the gym ... my membership is for the home gym in our garage so I can give it up and rejoin as often as I like. Gave it up for most of summer while I was dealing with a rotator cuff injury but back into it again a couple of weeks ago to get 'fitter' for this gig.

[Oakie]

Weather wise, summers the worst with the heat and wearing gear...
You will find it frustrating in rain how fucken shit the paper is they make envelopes from nowadays, a couple of droplets and you're potentially reading pretty juicy confidential shit on the guy who owns the letterbox, you've just pulled up to...
Be prepared for superhero status and have you're autograph signature sorted, every small kid around thinks you have the best job around, barring working in a chocolate factory
If you smoke tobacco, preroll for rainy days cause you're fingers will not dry up
Make sure you've got good storage area and hot water cylinder to dry out wet gear.. at least start you're next morning damp but warmish. Even good gear will have wet cuffs, collar etc

Thanks for that. Until yesterday I'd just been wearing a t-shirt under the summer jacket and not zipped up all the way and that kept things fairly comfortable. Did need a sweatshirt for part of yesterday though
Had my first sprinkles of showery rain yesterday ... enough to put the wet weather jacket on 2 or 3 times. Managed to keep the letters dry though.
As for superhero - yes I had my first waves from couple of a wee kids yesterday.
Also had my first 'dog encounter'. Was just a mouthy little pug though and he didn't get too close before his yummy mummy came and picked him up and took him away. Had lunch in a wee park yesterday and a random cat came up and kept me company.
As far as drying goes, no room in the cylinder cupboard but I am able to hang gear opposite the heat pump and that will dry stuff in quick time.

The thing I am struggling with is gloves. ATGATT and all that but you need naked finger tips to sort mail. First couple of days I went gloveless but by the morning of the second day I was getting blisters on my thumbs from the handgrips. Bought some plasters and covered them up for the rest of day 2 and day 3. Very hard to buy fingerless gloves from bike shops ... they just won't sell them (except for the Harley dealership who had about 4 varieties ... starting at about $80 ... $40 for the glove and $40 for the Harley name on the back as far as I could tell). Inspiration struck on Wednesday night though just before bed time. Remembered I had an old pair of gloves in the garage so I went and cut the fingertips off and wore them yesterday. Perfect! I don't think they'll hold together that long with the stiching cut so may be a fairly regular exercise. So if anyone has any old XL gloves they don't need anymore ... feel free to send them my way. Oh, I have bought these off Trade Me this morning. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/helmets-clothing-footwear/gloves/auction-1582967625.htm?rsqid=40f53364025b4f74950763638cf63 f0c Only $7.40 so probably crap but worth a look. And they are DX blue!

[Moi]

... Also had my first 'dog encounter'. Was just a mouthy little pug though and he didn't get too close before his yummy mummy came and picked him up and took him away. Had lunch in a wee park yesterday and a random cat came up and kept me company...

Thought you were going to say you had the mouthy pug for lunch... or did the random cat have him instead :eek5:

As for gloves... you got an army surplus in Chch? Have a wander through it...

[samgab]

Fingerless gloves... try a bicycle store. They have lots of them, with nice padding for the palm, and a little bit of protection for the knuckles in some cases. Not the best protection, but so long as you don't go faster than a fast bicycle, you'll have the same protection that a bicyclist has should you take a tumble.

Edit, or get an affordable summer weight pair of leather motorcycle gloves and just cut off the tips of the index finger and thumb. With those two you have all the precision control you need.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Thanks for that. Until yesterday I'd just been wearing a t-shirt under the summer jacket and not zipped up all the way and that kept things fairly comfortable. Did need a sweatshirt for part of yesterday though
Had my first sprinkles of showery rain yesterday ... enough to put the wet weather jacket on 2 or 3 times. Managed to keep the letters dry though.
As for superhero - yes I had my first waves from couple of a wee kids yesterday.
Also had my first 'dog encounter'. Was just a mouthy little pug though and he didn't get too close before his yummy mummy came and picked him up and took him away. Had lunch in a wee park yesterday and a random cat came up and kept me company.
As far as drying goes, no room in the cylinder cupboard but I am able to hang gear opposite the heat pump and that will dry stuff in quick time.

The thing I am struggling with is gloves. ATGATT and all that but you need naked finger tips to sort mail. First couple of days I went gloveless but by the morning of the second day I was getting blisters on my thumbs from the handgrips. Bought some plasters and covered them up for the rest of day 2 and day 3. Very hard to buy fingerless gloves from bike shops ... they just won't sell them (except for the Harley dealership who had about 4 varieties ... starting at about $80 ... $40 for the glove and $40 for the Harley name on the back as far as I could tell). Inspiration struck on Wednesday night though just before bed time. Remembered I had an old pair of gloves in the garage so I went and cut the fingertips off and wore them yesterday. Perfect! I don't think they'll hold together that long with the stiching cut so may be a fairly regular exercise. So if anyone has any old XL gloves they don't need anymore ... feel free to send them my way. Oh, I have bought these off Trade Me this morning. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/helmets-clothing-footwear/gloves/auction-1582967625.htm?rsqid=40f53364025b4f74950763638cf63 f0c Only $7.40 so probably crap but worth a look. And they are DX blue!

if you do get stuck for gloves, fingerless cycling gloves might be OK - they are leather in the palm and thumb, fingerless.

Good luck with that when it is -4 and sleeting though. :( I think our DX courier has those farm bike hand warmer things which might be an option in the winter.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Thought you were going to say you had the mouthy pug for lunch... or did the random cat have him instead :eek5:

As for gloves... you got an army surplus in Chch? Have a wander through it...

no army surplus in chch that I know of.

there was a good one on Colombo st but the front fell off it in the EQ's.

https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/

I was in Auckland this week and saw a huge army surplus store in K Rd... this appears to be them.... and they sell online.

[danchop]

Yeah you need your fingers, I either went gloveless or same as you and chopped off the fingers... I've got some Dewalt(powertools) fingerless gloves which would be perfect -they are like motocross gloves but fingerless,was given them so don't know where they came from

[Dogboy900]

Perhaps something like this might work?
http://www.freehands.com/

I am sure I have seen motorcycle specific mittens with flip up ends but couldn't find any sorry

[Oakie]

As for gloves... you got an army surplus in Chch? Have a wander through it... Ooh. Yes we do. Hidden off the beaten track in Woolston. It's a biggun too. Good thought.


Fingerless gloves... try a bicycle store. They have lots of them, with nice padding for the palm, and a little bit of protection for the knuckles in some cases. Not the best protection, but so long as you don't go faster than a fast bicycle, you'll have the same protection that a bicyclist has should you take a tumble. Good idea.


if you do get stuck for gloves, fingerless cycling gloves might be OK - they are leather in the palm and thumb, fingerless. As above ... good idea


Good luck with that when it is -4 and sleeting though. :( I think our DX courier has those farm bike hand warmer things which might be an option in the winter. Yes I've seen that guy about in winters past.


Perhaps something like this might work? http://www.freehands.com/ I am sure I have seen motorcycle specific mittens with flip up ends but couldn't find any sorry. Yes. Potential there thanks.

What a helpful bunch! Thanks guys.

[Reckless]

On Gloves

builders work gloves like mine from Bunnings

Be tougher, more protection and you can buy them with only the index and thumb exposed.

[Swoop]

The thing I am struggling with is gloves. ATGATT and all that but you need naked finger tips to sort mail.

Fingerless gloves are going to mean cold times ahead.
I'd suggest a normal pair of gloves with a simple cut across the finger where the first join of the finger bends. You can then wear them with the end of the finger poking out, when working, or in when trying to stay warm.
A bit like winter rifle shooting where you need to feel the trigger. Pop the end of the glove finger off and hey-presto!

[Oakie]

Fingerless gloves are going to mean cold times ahead.
I'd suggest a normal pair of gloves with a simple cut across the finger where the first join of the finger bends. You can then wear them with the end of the finger poking out, when working, or in when trying to stay warm.
A bit like winter rifle shooting where you need to feel the trigger. Pop the end of the glove finger off and hey-presto!

What i was thinkng about was silk gloves to wear under leather fingerless. Silk is great for warmth which is why the old time open cockpit flyers used to wear silk scarves.

[Oakie]

As for gloves... you got an army surplus in Chch? Have a wander through it...

Good thought that man! Went to Army Surplus and am now the proud owner of some German army fingerless leather gloves for a whole $19.95. Real leather smell too. Gave me the horn ...

[Akzle]

Good thought that man! Went to Army Surplus and am now the proud owner of some German army fingerless leather gloves for a whole $19.95. Real leather smell too. Gave me the horn ...

and just imagine all the Jewish people that have been strangled with them...

[Swoop]

Silk is great for warmth which is why the old time open cockpit flyers used to wear silk scarves.

Also fire resistant... Very handy in those up-diddly-up-dup flying machines.:crazy:

[Oakie]

Also fire resistant... Very handy in those up-diddly-up-dup flying machines.:crazy:

The Mongols used to use silk as a sort of arrow proof vest too. They wore layers of silk and didn't so much stop the arrows but made it easier to remove arrow heads as the silk would stay wrapped around the arrow head. Also helped prevent infection too I guess. Still, hopefully no one will be firing arrows at me on my round.

[oldrider]

:rolleyes: Having visions of your silk scarf caught in your spokes ------- Not a good look actually! :facepalm: Be careful out there! :ride:

[Oakie]

:rolleyes: Having visions of your silk scarf caught in your spokes ------- Not a good look actually! :facepalm: Be careful out there! :ride:

Ha ha. Biggles!

Haven't worn a scarf biking for years. Came up with a better solution.

[Moi]

...I have a new job as a DX delivery rider... I'm getting paid to ride a motorbike. :)

How's the new job going Mr Postman?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=425GpjTSlS4

[Oakie]

How's the new job going Mr Postman?

Well seeing you asked, the following is a copied report I was asked to do for my old workmates and completed a couple of days ago. It is fairly long but because you asked how the new job was going, you are obliged to read the whole thing. Go:

I was asked to provide a summary of my first week as a DX delivery rider after leaving the old workplace. It has taken four weeks to do it because it took that long to get my head around it all. Such a complete and utter change from the office based work I’ve been doing for the last 40 years to working outside with no significant human contact takes a bit of getting used to and I reckon it’ll still take a little while yet before it all becomes ‘normal’.

First day was a 9.30am start for induction and then pushed out the door by midday to go and do my first delivery run, which went OK. All mail was delivered and I only had to consult the map about 20 times. Return to base about 2.30pm then home. Quite nice to be home in the middle of the day!

Day two was a busier day which actually made it easier because the pre-sorted mail just flows from street to street without gaps. On the quieter day one, there might not be any mail for a whole street so it wasn’t obvious where you had to go next. Hence more map reading. My first problem became apparent that morning. Bikers have this thing, ‘ATGATT’ which means ‘All the gear, all the time’ so head to toe in proper protective gear whenever you ride. Unfortunately you need naked finger tips to sort mail. First couple of days I went gloveless but by the morning of the second day I was getting blisters on my thumbs from the handgrips. Bought some plasters and covered them up for the rest of day 2 and day 3. I’d been going to buy some fingerless gloves from a bike shop but they just won't sell them (except for the Harley dealership who had about 4 varieties ... starting at about $80 ... $40 for the glove and $40 for the Harley name on the back as far as I could tell). Inspiration struck on the evening of day three though. I remembered I had an old pair of bike gloves in the garage so I went and cut the fingertips off and wore them on day four. Perfect! (I subsequently went to the Army Surplus store and bought some fingerless leather German army work gloves. Perfecter!

Had my first sprinkles of showery rain on day four ... enough to have put the wet weather jacket on 2 or 3 times. Managed to keep the letters dry though.

I was told that sometimes kids treat you as a superhero ... a job riding a bike is only topped by a job in a chocolate factory apparently. Anyway, on day four I had my first waves from couple of wee kids and got big smiles when I waved back to them. (I always wave back to kids ... the effect of a positive response from me now may save another biker’s life years from now.) Oh, I also had one wee man who jumped out of his car to come and tell me that he got a dollar from the tooth fairy last night.

Also had my first 'dog encounter' on day four. It was just a mouthy little pug though and he didn't get too close before his yummy mummy came and picked him up and took him away. I got the impression though I was the villain for disturbing the pug’s day and not the other way around.

Had lunch in a wee park on day four and a random cat came over and kept me company. We had pats and I talked to him for about 5 minutes before realising he was my substitute for significant human contact involving conversation. Pleased to report though that the cat didn’t talk back.

Day 5 ... (which was actually Tuesday the week after I started due to the public holidays) saw me doing my first full day. 8.5 hours. Tiring work it is but pleased to get to ‘full time’ fairly quickly. Tiring? Yep! After a day spent throwing the wee bike around I arrive home feeling like I’ve had a good workout at the gym.

I’ve now completed my fourth week and have been initiated into the dark art known as ‘sorting’. This involves sorting perhaps 400 / 600 mail items into the order in which they will be delivered. And no ... it’s not as easy as going up one side of the road and down the other. For example on a street you may zig-zag across both sides for the first 20 houses then do a side road then return to the original street and finish the odd numbers before doing a bit of a cross street at the top and then returning later to do the even numbers. It’s very much a choreographed dance and is a nice mental challenge at 7am (and I believe at 4am which is when some of the blokes down there start).

Oh, speaking of blokes ... for the first time in my life I’m working in a male-dominated environment. That takes some getting used to believe me! Interesting that most of the guys are over 50. They want people who have proven they can survive on a bike over a number of years I guess. A couple of points worth mentioning: With most of us being ‘of a certain age’ the radio is tuned into a 70s and 80s 'rock and pop' station and at random times one of the 20 or so guys in there will start singing along to a particular favourite. Quite entertaining and horrendous at the same time. The other thing is that in an office dominated by women (numerically) the conversations are proper interesting conversations. With these blokes it’s mostly fairly ‘robust’ banter aimed at each other interspersed with conversations about cars and motorbikes. Not saying if it’s better or worse ... just different to my last 40 years!

Some other stuff:

The first two weeks were generally nice days and I travelled around with my jacket unzipped a bit and enjoyed the warm weather. That changed for week three when we had cold and heavy rain for a couple of days. Being a clever boy and observing the weather forecast I’d layered up with thermal, flannel shirt and light sweatshirt to wear under the lined winter jacket and with waterproofs over the top of that. Was certainly cosy and warm but was quite surprised when I got home to discover how wet my three inner layers were. I was disappointed that the wet weather gear had not done a better job at keeping me dry. I wore the same combination the following day with the same result. Disappointed all over again! The day after that was no rain but still cold so layered up again, minus the wet weather gear. Imagine my surprise when, again, that night on removing my gear I found those three layers to be as damp as the previous two days. It took a moment but then I realised the moisture was coming from within, not outside. Eughh. I had unwittingly created my very own sauna and sweated out a few litres apparently. Turns out the winter gear doesn’t breathe very well.
As a consequence of this though coupled with the physicality that is required to do the job as well as not being able to snack on the job, I lost 3 kilos in the first 3 weeks without even trying. It’s awesome! Best of all though, I can fit into my dear old Levis again!

I really like the wee bike. It’s so nimble that it can do a u-turn in a standard size driveway. It has the most comfortable seat I’ve had on a bike which is just as well as I’m seated on it for 8 or 9 hours a day. Oh, and I do about 120km a day just buzzing around the area bounded by Memorial Ave, Greers Road and Sawyers Arms Road. It was really strange hopping back onto my own bike at the end of the day with it having so much more power and way better brakes. It’s a bit like getting out of an old Toyota Starlet then into a V8 Holden/Ford. The first kilometre or so was really ugly as I transitioned back into big bike mode. Worst though was that my bike has a standard clutch where the postie bike doesn’t have one. Was caught out a few times on my bike doing clutchless changes down and not being able to change up. Made me look like a real newbie which was a bit embarrassing. Fortunately my bike has just been retired to the garage as I’m now allowed to bring the work bike home at night. The big bike is now just a weekend bike.

Interspersed with moments of disbelief at other road users lack of skill (and sometimes my own poor road-craft) there have been few amusing moments like the lady who ran across the road in front of me in her rather lightweight white nightie in a shower of rain. Reminiscent of ‘Baywatch’ and quite a distraction. A whole lot of bouncing going on...

Most head-scratching moment though was gassing up at a particular BP station. I’d been told that this particular one demands bikers remove their helmets. I was tired at the end of a long day / week so, knowing how it would play out, I thought “screw it, let’s have some fun” and walked in with my helmet still on. The young trainee immediately asked me to remove my helmet and gestured a helmet removing motion. I said “I don’t think you’ll like me any better with my helmet off” but I complied, took it off, and then stood in front of her with my balaclava which I wear under the helmet still on. Expecting to be asked to remove that too, if not in fact crash-tackled to the floor by security, I was surprised to be served as if nothing was wrong. So apparently it’s OK to walk into this particular BP in a balaclava, but don’t you dare come in here wearing a crash helmet.

And that’s about it. I can’t really think of anything else to add so I guess that’s about the sum-total of my impressions of my new job.

[Moi]

Well seeing you asked...

:niceone: :scooter:

[Oakie]

So, 6 weeks in and my only problem is that I can't ride my own bike anymore! It is so different transitioning from the CT110 to the GSR600 that I have real problems cornering (or even veering out of the drive). Just feels like the big bike doesn't want to go around corners. It's because the CT is so agile and I guess that comes down to the whole geometry and centre of gravity of the thing and the really tight turning circle. I'm actually considering selling my bike next spring depending on how much I use it over winter as it was only used for my daily commute but is no longer required for that now. 49000 kms with new chain, sprockets and brake pads with rego and warrant to May next year. Someone will snap it up I'm sure should I decide to sell. Hopefully I'll come to my senses though because with minimal use, this bike would see me out.

[oldrider]

I'm actually considering selling my bike next spring depending on how much I use it over winter as it was only used for my daily commute but is no longer required for that now.

Well the ash trays should be full by now so the time is probably right for selling or trading it anyway! :ride: - :blip:

[russd7]

nice one :niceone: but dont give up on real bike, it gets easier

[Akzle]

five buck and a bag of chips

[Oakie]

One for work and one for play. Ain't life grand!

[Oakie]

five thousand buck and a bag of chips

Fixed that for you Akz.

[jim.cox]

I'm actually considering selling my bike

No. Do NOT do that!

You need a real bike for weekends, high days and holidays.

[Oakie]

No. Do NOT do that! You need a real bike for weekends, high days and holidays.

I took it in to get new chain etc yesterday and by the end of that 12km ride I was all comfy on it again.

[release_the_bees]

The work bike is the best 'performance upgrade' around for the non-work bike.

When I used to commute daily on the CBR250, the SV1000 always felt like a rocket when I rode it on the weekend.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Oakie]

The work bike is the best 'performance upgrade' around for the non-work bike.

When I used to commute daily on the CBR250, the SV1000 always felt like a rocket when I rode it on the weekend.

The 600 sure feels like a rocket after hopping off the postie bike. Just feels like it wants to spit me off whenever I try to go around a corner. Don't know why but possibly something to do with the centifugal force of the heavier tyres/wheels. The CT is just so nimble and chuckable. I can even do a U turn in my double garage without putting a foot down.

[Oakie]

Hmmm. Well this is an unintended consequence. I'm seriously thinking of selling my 600 as the only times I've ridden it in the last 4.5 months are brief rides just to keep the battery charged and to turn the engine over. I do 600kms a week on the CT which is a hoot and with what me and Mrs Oakie get up to in the weekend, I just don't ride in the weekend. With insurance and registration alone, it'll cost me a grand a year to have sitting in the garage. (I get to keep the CT at home and use it for the commute.)


What a conundrum!

[merv]

You're really liking that Honda then? I know its not a Super Cub but I also hope you are nice enough not to be spoiling that "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" jingle:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmG_NfQVb0

[merv]

Here's a longer version of the old Honda adverts:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck9wBHW2160

[slofox]

The 600 sure feels like a rocket after hopping off the postie bike. Just feels like it wants to spit me off whenever I try to go around a corner. Don't know why but possibly something to do with the centifugal force of the heavier tyres/wheels. The CT is just so nimble and chuckable. I can even do a U turn in my double garage without putting a foot down.

My 600 gixxer doesn't feel like it's trying to chuck me off going round corners...specially with S21 tyres on.:)