would you?
if you ride you'll be uber fit.
If you had to drive it, how many hours would you have to work to start to turn a profit on turning up?
No.
Yes. If I had no other job then I would. Under 1 gallon of fuel in a reasonable car so 2 hrs to cover the fuel. Then post tax the rest is earnings. Once in there may be progression.
Better something than nothing.
Not if I could avoid it.
No. I'd sign on until something suitable came along or consider retraining. But I'm nearly 40 and have one specialised skill, so YMMV.
Wtf
No. I'd sign on until something suitable came along or consider retraining.
£10 in fuel puts you off? Signing on should pay less than that. I've done it before.
So drive half way & pedal the rest?
just felt guilty signing on and just sitting at home waiting and everyday online looking for work near where i live.. riding on odd days too 8) ,and i really want to buy a stumpy 🙁
I spent a short time doing 34 a day for no wage, but I wouldn't have sustained it!
But I'd rather being working than being useless at home.
Is that a round trip or each way? If it were each way - No. If it were a round trip possibly if it was something I was interested in doing longer term.
Cheers
Danny B
37 mpg is piss poor anyway but anything modern should do 50 really.
Perhaps my perspective is out having done 90mile round trips for 10-11k jobs. Unless I was confident in another job in a few weeks then I'd rather work and earn than not.
i would if i had to, my dad used to drive 32 miles, then do a 12hr day, then 32 miles back.
5 days of that, finish at 12 on a saturday, finish at 5 on sunday.
he did that for 4 years, and there was no minimum wage then (late 70s)
better to work than not ime.
Anything modern.
Bit of a general statement that really.
My van is 06 - so hardly old and does 40......
If it was a 37 mile round trip id be riding it so if i couldnt get any other job id go for it.
@ wolfenstein..what skills do you possess?
go to work.. you get a chance of overtime when working, or cash in hand work
sit at home you get lazy and depressed
work every time for me
^^
You're driving a VAN. What minimum wage job asks you to provide your own van? Ditch it, buy an el-cheapo mini-box that does 60 to the gallon. You can ride in during the summer. You don't have to do it every day - in fact, if you can leave the car there overnight you could ride just one half of the journey.
My van is owned outright and it works just fine baring a small electrical connectionh issue an i know its quirks
If i was unemployed the last thing i need is to buy an unknown vehicle that could be hiding big ticket bills.
More to vehicle ownership than mpg.
Also the tight scotsman in my balks at driving the 30 mile round trip to my current non min wage job.
depends whats the notice period?
if you take it as a stopgap will you be leaving them in the lurch when something bette comes along?
@tymbian no skills really mate, just work my way up.. was a stock controller my recent job on logistics/distribution before our site shuts down and move to the south..(is driving reach truck, PPT skills?) ..i am actually waiting sites nearby and the one who took over our site..but they just start hiring this week.. and i don't know how long is the wait, i kinda need at least to be doing something.
..only skill i know of is just mountainbiking round and round cannock chase 8)
@ Wolfenstein ..just asking as you could possibly phone the agencies and see what they have local.Any local building companies you could phone for a spot of labouring? Where are you based?
actually been and registered to different job agencies.. but the one keeps calling is the farthest one ..i think i'll MTFU this.. and wait for the response nearby.. then ditch the far one till something came along... i'm not lazy really.. i just want to cycle to work.. if only motorway has secured cycle path i would gladly get a roadbike to do 18.8 miles each way
£10 in fuel puts you off? Signing on should pay less than that. I've done it before.
hahahahahah
if i commute the 8 miles there and 8 miles back to work 5 days a week, it costs about £20 - £25 in fuel in a 1.4 nissan almera.
you think someone can commute 75 miles a day for £50 a week and therefore should take the job ?
some people will make up any old bollocks to make it fit their worldview won't they ?
not just the fuel, cars need servicing, tyres etc. I did 40miles for not much more than minimum wage for a few months, would i do it again, no, it trashes the car and their are real issues fixing the car, paying the rent, food etc.
wolfenstein
I was in a similar position a few years back. Job was minimum wage, working a 3 shift pattern. 40 hours per week. 16 miles each way. I did it for 9 months. I did the calculations with regard to signing on and I was £12 a week better off working. There's not a lot of dignity in that. Riding was not a safe option.
But a lot better job came along, well I chased it, and I don't think I would have got it if I wasn't working.
Tough decision.
37 mpg is piss poor anyway but anything modern should do 50 really
But is someone unemployed or on minium wage really going to be able to buy a newer car to get 50mpg??????
Is someone on min wage going to be able to afford a car?
i just want to cycle to work.. if only motorway has secured cycle path i would gladly get a roadbike to do 18.8 miles each way
So look for an alternative route. Drive part way if needs be.
If I had to.
Sell the mountain bike and get moped.
Easier to get work from work, but if your van goes bang you are up shit creek without a paddle. Do it until something better turns up?
Cycling part way doesn't help with fuel consumption if the vehicle doesn't warm up properly on the driven part and will knacker the engine oil in double quick time.
No
cars need servicing, tyres etc
More miles won't push your road tax, insurance or servicing up much. Fuel is by far the major factor.
Maybe you'll be able to share a lift with somebody when you start - maybe there's a riding spot close to your route? do the shopping etc. while you're already out in the van and have it warmed up. Plenty of ways to economise...
Do 3x12 hour shift and sleep in the van in the works car park inbetween?
what van? ❓
18.8miles, you need to MTFU
Not on the work front, on the bike front. That's pretty much a perfect distance. Even adding on a few miles for scenic routes it'd still be fine.
Hell, even if you just rode it 2 or 3 days a week. Just think how fit you'd get ❗
yes I would, but then my pride would not let me sign on if there was [u]any[/u] opportunity of work. I've done some truly grim jobs that most would freak out at or turn the noses up thinking that they are above such things, but for me it always kept me in a proper work ethic/mindset which meant that it was easier to get better jobs in the future.
It depends on what the job is though, if its a physical 8hr job then a 40 mile bike ride each day will soon wreck you if you are humping stuff around all day as well. Its ok for those who drive a desk all day but spending 8hours on your feet grafting then facing a long ride home when you are shattered is not my idea of sustainable.
PS i do a physical job and my commute is only 3 miles each way and I'm often flattened at the end of a day.
spending 8hours on your feet grafting then facing a long ride home when you are shattered is not my idea of sustainable.
MTFU, compared to what most of the population in the developing world have to do to survive and provide for themselves and their families, most uk workers live in paradise by comparison. Or just look at the hours and working conditions our grandparents had....
Done it before for NMW to clean out pig sheds to keep the money coming in.
Taxzy, most UK workers are overweight desk jockeys who's main idea of exercise is waddling to the vending machine!
It depends on the route, 19 very hilly miles twice a day added to a physical job will leave the OP too tired to do much else, after a while you don't want to do anything at weekends either and if you have a family they start to lose out. Its not always simple.
For what its worth ive just done a 60 mile ride with a good amount of climbing and I'm tired, not sure i could do 200 miles a week and still work my job.
i'm not lazy really.. i just want to cycle to work.. if only motorway has secured cycle path i would gladly get a roadbike to do 18.8 miles each way
OK so a 38 mile round trip - I thought that was each way, you would rather be able to cycle. I take it you can drive and have transport? If you can afford not to work then don't, turning down jobs because you would rather make the lifestyle choice to cycle to work wont go to well if you are getting job seekers etc.
I guess it comes down to need, if you need to you will.
yes I would, but then my pride would not let me sign on if there was any opportunity of work.
+1
Better a giver than a taker.
I would because it may lead onto better things.
Also depending on where you live, most jobs may have a fair commute.
I have to travel regardless of the job because I don't live near the city centre.
Working isn't just about the money, it helps your self worth and gives you some purpose.
I would, always better to be working even if the money's not great. Combining car and bike to commute is also good as it gives you loads of route options. And hopefully in our long hot summer you will develop awesome fitness and a brilliant tan - think of how much people spend on gyms to acheive that.
As tazzy says we really do have it easy.
Id get a decent map of the area, look at good routes from where the job is back towards where you live and then consider where you can park . Maybe start with a 10 or 15 mile ride.
The savings are noticible even when I split my commute and thats only about 9 miles (and I only split it when my boys cant ride etc - I can always manage the distance!).
I'd be looking at a moped or electric bike and save the car.
Certainly doable on a roadbike, but you'd have to average high speeds on a roadbike to not lose your day to commuting, and there would be plenty days when that would feel like too much effort.
If it was any minimum wage job I'd look for something closer to home. Is there a reason why its that one?
im always amazed by the total avoidance of mopeds small motor bikes by commuters 18 miles each way is perfect territory for something old and reliable like a c90.. 100mpg world famous reliability mine cost 41pa insurance.
so youd be back and forward to work for under 14 quid a week. add in a pound a week insurqance thats travel nailed for less than 15 quid. do your 6.19 per hour for 36 hrs av. take about 10% o/a for deductions etc and your circa 200 pw in hand take out the 15 quid for the bike and your still 185 to the good.. if you get jsa at the mo. you ll still be 114 to the good..
so all found you d be 114 better of doing 36 hours and travelling 18m each way on a moped than you would be sat at home playing COD
moped than you would be sat at home playing COD
obviously assuming you have the cash up front to buy said moped. Falls into the same category as bikes, cars don't give a damn about you.
something to think about, i am currently doing 32mile round trip admittedly for a tad more than minimum wage, but illness can really wreck you, trying to get over a bought of DnV and a week later still a mess. Can remember riding home from a nightshift at 4am on a different occasion stopping to throw up or wretch every few hundred meters, it was only 12 miles but it took forever.
I would seriously look at the job, look at what it entails, will it stop you getting to interviews for a job you want, will it lead anywhere? Is it a stop gap, etc etc.
And to be blunt, if your looking at minimum wage have you thought about care, plenty of opportunities if your willing to work hard and have the right personality, and the money isn't great but usually more than minimum and IME plenty of overtime if you want it.
would you travel 37.6 miles for min wage?
yes. have done in the past and wasn't all that bad. then again it totally depends on where you live and where to you are going!
I would, as i've recently experienced the spirit-crushing, soul-sapping reality of unemployment! its not just about the money. its about your mental health and sense of self worth. both of which take a right battering!!!
oh... and I would just like to add that doing a 15 mile each way commute a couple of times a week does not necessarily make you fit. I do, and I'm still a right fat nacker!
Better a giver than a taker
Aye aye wrecker 😉
playing COD
Do what? 😯 Is that hygienic.
Moped or similar looks a great option if you have some cash to invest. CG 125 does 95mpg, and with a tail wind 65mph.
The MCN review amused me.
The Honda CG125 is, in a word, bouncy. Especially if riden by a large lady in a tabard down to Netto. But that's OK, because only a complete madman would expect a Honda CG125 to handle anything like an Aprilia RS125.
jam bo - Member
If it was any minimum wage job I'd look for something closer to home. Is there a reason why its that one?
they are the only one who call ... i am starting monday by the way, just have to bite the bullet for now.
..the 37.6 miles is M6 to M1 southbound route calculated distance
they are the only one who call..the 37.6 miles is M6 to M1 southbound route calculated distance
Seriously it's expletive all distance. If your claiming any kind of benefit MTFU and work. If not do what you want.
Not off to Crick by any chance?
piemonster - Member
Not off to Crick by any chance?
😉
Liftshare, loads of people head there?
Perfect solution really. Have a scout about there are a few websites, once your there ask about.
There's a lot of people in there, bound to be someone willing to accept a few quid for a passenger.
On top of that, there's a lot going on there. Get yourself recognised as a grafter and there should be opportunities to get off the minimum wage. If your working in that industry can't think of many sites as good to get on as that one. The industry took a hell of a hit during the recession (I think around 18% cut in workforce), not sure what conditions are like at the moment but I don't think it'll get much worse?
That Tesco warehouse, big old bleeder innit.
Yes I would. When it comes down to it, any job is a good job. Plus you're much more likely to find better work if you're already working imo.
It's really not healthy to be sat around doing nothing anyway.
Is that round trip?
37.6m * (handwave) 45p/mile = £16.92/day.
Minimum wage is £6.19. 16.92 / 6.19 = 2.73, you're working two and three quarter hours every day to break even.
Travel will be, what, an hour and a half every day, plus you lose an hour for lunch. 52.5 hours.
So the real question is, are you prepared to be paid for working a (8-2.73)*5 = 26.3 hour week for a 52.5 hour commitment? You're being paid for almost exactly half of your time.
45p a mile? What mode of transport is that for?
Liftshares tended to be about 10p a mile. iirc
ultimately this sort of commuting (by un-shared car)isn't environmentally sustainable either is it ?
Not much is
45p a mile? What mode of transport is that for?Liftshares tended to be about 10p a mile. iirc
Depends whether you're looking at "fuel costs" or actual total transport costs. Tyre wear alone for me is about 10p/mile.
and by the time he's paid the finance on his merc. it ll be costing him to get to work..
at my brothers place in the lake district 10 of them car share a minibus each day costs 2 quid a day..
Yes I would. I've always been on the mind set since I was younger that I take any job im offered and it enables me to have some money till I find a better job.
My current wage isn't massive £21,000 after tax, pension etc and partner on a bit more and we live comfortably. We both used to work for £900 a month in a Nursing home.
My current wage isn't massive £21,000 after tax
Just to give some context, £21k AFTER TAX is more than most people in the UK earn. no it isn't massive but it is something to think about.
Been in a similar position, didn't like it but took it. Not because of I felt any shame claiming benefit, not because I was grateful not to be living in a developing nation, not because I wanted to be a double-hard cycle commuter. It's just I was told it's always better to have a job on your CV than periods of no job at all. So it could be better for your long-run prospects.
Good luck whatever you choose.
Yes it isn't massive but it wasn't long ago I was earning *£9800 a year. But it can be boosted by tax credits. Think I got 115 a month when on the above wage.
I do a 25-30 (depending on route) mile each way commute in a 1.6 petrol Citroen C4 that does on average 35mpg. I reckon fuel alone costs £15 a day.
as of 2nd April I now do 1 or two days in the office, the remainder at home. I love the new commute