bike Courier jobs pros and cons

ruck bodgers · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Karma :

i want to be riding as much as possible. so i am considering
Courier jobs . and would like some advice from experienced Couriers
should i go private or work for a firm or multiple firms whats the best way to go about it . that sort of thing. thanks
____________________
i do not think therefore i am . give me a hammer

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

Be careful what you wish for.

I know there's a couple of long term couriers on here (Marmalade springs instantly to mind) who will come along and tell you what they think, but my experience is, it can severely damage your love for biking.

The idea of turning a hobby into a job is great, but after a few times squirreling down a frost covered motorway, or coming home from work and being too stiff from cold/wet to take off your boots, you can start to wonder what the fuck you've done to deserve this.

I lasted nearly three years to begin with, then about 6 months after a break; never again, for all the money in the world, and it's coloured my view of biking forever.
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

The money isn't great the hours are long and it wrecks bikes.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Do a search. A thread always pops up on it at this time of year. Thumbs Up

____________________
My Flickr

MinhDinh · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jan 2005 Karma :

Lol at wanting to ride bikes more and thinking being a courier will be the answer. Naive are you very. Yoda.
____________________
Hit the G spot. Wink

0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

Tenko · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Karma :

What about becoming an instuctor instead? Your bike will do fewer miles and it is a great laugh too... Not much money in it though if you work for somebody else.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

tk338 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Karma :

I ride to work because my bikes all I have 35 miles each way and in all honesty I don't enjoy it. Biking for one thing is fun, and the longer commute was ok, but when its pissing it down or its freezing cold you're not so keen to go out.

Add to that the added mile upon mile of motorway its just tedious. I don't go out on my bike for fun anymore if I do anything to do with my bike outside of going to and from work it'd be either maintenance or going to a job interview in ever hopes of a shorter commute.

In the mean time I'm saving for a car license, car and first years insurance in a lump sum, I don't know how much riding you've done day in day out but 350 often cold, wet mostly motorway miles a week means I really feel very little love for my bike right now.

I will add too I know thats not even a lot for some people, but like this week I've looked at the forecast, theres 2 sunny days left and then heavy rain. I should be looking forward to Thursday its almost the weekend, but do I want to ride to work if the weathers gonna be doing that hell no!
____________________
Ybr125(10)>CBR600fY(00)>Bandit650N(58)

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

Now summer is really here, the courier threads have started Laughing

____________________
I'm immortal. Well, so far.

Andy_Pagin · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Karma :

I briefly thought about this, but then I checked out this forum:

https://www.codforum.org.uk/courier-owner-driver-forum-topics.php

There's a ton of stuff there about the crap money, high insurance and the impossibility of competing against uninsured cowboys.

If you're prepared to run your bike into the ground for 50 or 60 PENCE per mile BEFORE expenses then go for it.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

Marmalade · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Karma :

Easter Bunny · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2010 Karma :

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Strangely I'm getting paid 86.4 pence a mile at the moment but I'm special and VERY VERY good. Wink

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

I thought you were a shitty stint controller?

Easter Bunny · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2010 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Yeah I must get rid of that. Yes as a subbie.

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

86 p per loaded mile or total mileage? Who with?

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Loaded and no one you know. Under contract not to disclose. Wink

No discount on multis either.

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

Only 43p per mile really then the majority of the time assuming no useful backloads.
Whats your total weekly mileage?

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

Well its a meaningless figure alone.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

Still got to afford to run yourself though!
You seem to be going back a bit in admitting that it doesn't pay as a 'full time job' proposition.