Can you PM me them too please mate?

To be honest I have been sticking it out for the last few years and I think I’m done with it. It now effects my mental health so I think it’s time to move on. I have applied for a job with Ride on Scotland repairing and building the boris type bikes. Will see what comes back. Also applied for 2 pest control jobs 🤞🏻

I’d be very interested in working a forwarder for sure, the HGV side of it not so much. Those guys seem to be under constant pressure to get to the next job.

I was thinking the felling side of forestry. Got a link to the Arb website?

@ the DTs, that sounds like a great idea, we used to have somebody who came into my previous employer who did that kind of thing. Checked all the main truck manufacturers but nothing listed on the websites.

What do you do then Peajay? That’s a good shout DT.. moving new trucks around.. not moving to Bristol. I’m happy in my little bubble up here in Dundee.

Yeah not sure I fancy driving buses to be honest. Away to head out for a wee walk and digest some of this info.

Train driver is something I would also really like, I applied a couple of years ago but held sod all back, that was with Virgin trains though so maybe the freight companies are easier to get into?

Chimney sweep.. now there’s a thought.. off to check google for that one.

Couldn’t agree more mate regarding the underpaid comment. I think in reality I’m pashing in the wind hoping for a forestry job.. I’m more than happy to be proved wrong but I suspect I won’t be.

I will be looking into getting a decent physio aswell, I have done the class 1 thing on the fuel aswell, and to be honest I couldn’t be arsed going through all the terminal inductions and other red tape again. Maybe I’m just too long in the job and a bit pessimistic? Or maybe I’m just needing to get out the industry all together? Feels like I’m searching for a moon on a stick. Or maybe all the pills for my back are scrambling my thoughts. Either way I am fairly sure I’m done with lorries, whatever I think of feels like I’m going out of the fire and into the frying pan!

I have applied for 2 jobs in pest control and 1 job in sales (selling agri equipment), it’s a good place to start and see what happens, In the meantime I’ll look into doing my crane tickets and see where that takes me, I’ll also keep my fingers crossed me or somebody else has a lightbulb moment and I go.. ha ha.. yes that’s just the ticket for me. Then in an ideal world I’ll get the job, be pain free in my joints, come off the anti depressants and live happily ever after.

Yeah I reckon it’s the hauling the hose which weight 40lbs + up and over walls, and sometimes up to 60m, plus it a bit of an un-natural movement to be making all the time. Anyway, I’ll see what happens this week and go from there. Next does of diazepam has kicked in so I’m a bit oot ma box..

Thanks for all the replies and good luck to all those also seeking a change.

Cranes would be great. I’d really enjoy that, I’m fairly sure it’s mega expensive to do your tickets though but I’ll check. Nationwide platforms are looking for a class 2 driver in Dundee. I turned them down 2 years ago though for a class 1 job so not sure if they would consider me again. Worth a punt though surely.

What does a qualified bike mechanic make these days? What’s the old saying? “Get a job you love doing and you will never work a day in your life”? Something like that, I enjoy working with my hands and fixing stuff. Been scouring the job sites and there are a few jobs in forestry but they are all wanting a degree. 😫. Why didn’t I stick in at school instead of acting the goat and racing bikes etc?

Yeah most places require you to load and or unload the vehicle. It’s a bit of a catch 22 really as I like the fuel industry, I have done the tramping thing (13 years I did it for) with the artics and I’m not going back to that. Hours are mental. Class 2 stuff is generally more local but I don’t really want to do generic curtain sider work, tipper work requires you to go flat out all day, fridge work is delivering to Spar shops etc.. sod that! So it doesn’t leave me much scope. I have enough experience in the industry to know what a worth ebike position.. and what I enjoy doing, I enjoy the industry I’m in but it’s taking its toll on me physically.. which in turn affects me mentally if that makes sense.
(Hope none of that came across as cheeky but it’s the easiest way to describe it).

I guess when you put it all in perspective I’m probably just a bit scunnered and probably needing a change.

Yeah I have thought about the fire service and it’s something I would like to do. Not as a fire fighter though, I’m not sure my knees and elbows would cope.

I’d happily go for a support staff role but there isn’t much on the go up here, I did apply for a job as a driver/stores person a while back but got an email saying I was unsuccessful.. even though I had all the experience they were looking for.. I get the feeling it’s not what you know but who you know up here.

Hours wise isn’t too bad to be honest. Start at 06:15am and finished most days for 15:30 latest, bit later in the winter when it’s busy but nothing like the hours I used to do with my previous employer. Pretty much forced in to 15 hour shifts.

I like the employer to be honest, it’s the physicality of the job that’s taking it’s toll. I wouldn’t like to do no physical work but a little less would be great.

I did think about doing my digger tickets but again.. how easy is it to get work with no experience?

Wow, just managed to get to my phone for the first time today and I’m delighted with the response and info so far.. thanks folks.

I’m definitely going to look for that book Reeksy. On the job front, I actually like the company I work for and enjoy the meeting people aspect (more than I thought I would), it’s the physical aspect that kicks lumps out of me. We only really do Monday – Friday as it is, there was talk of doing 4 on 4 off but there isn’t really enough work for the weekends. I would really like to come away from lorry driving but I do understand it’s probably not going to happen with my lack of qualifications elsewhere.

It just gets tiring when your constantly in pain from a day of hauling about a hose over walls, and through trees whilst still having to avoid their grass and plants… but still pull it through all the crap they have stored in front of the tank.

I have done my share of tramping work and I don’t want to go back to that life, I have a far better relationship with my 4 year old daughter now than when I was away all week. Wages wise, I could probably just about get by on £25,000 which I don’t think is an unrealistic target for somebody my age with my experience.. albeit in the transport sector.

I really appreciate all the advice so far and I’ll be looking into it for sure. As for volunteer work, it’s something I had considered to possibly get my foot in the door somewhere and I’ll be taking that further.

Interested to hear more from Maccruiskeen and where I can get more info on that.

Glad it’s not just me who is fed up with the crap weather. I’m struggling as I’m usually out on my bike (motor or mountain) loads as this time of year.

Today barely got into double figures and it’s June a week on Tuesday. Went up to Ballo woods 2 Sunday’s ago and it was just a muddy, wet mess. It feels like February out there… and I’m sick of it. Sod this country for it’s weather, 7 months of utter drivel conditions. I feel like a caged animal.

Starting nose around for a cheap road bike and turbo trainer just so I can do something other than sit and swear at current conditions.

Oh and Banged up is worth a listen, ex convicts discussing prison etc

Avid podcast listener here, it’s all I listen to when driving the lorry. Here are my recommendations:

We have ways of making you talk (Second World War chat)

Gangster on BBC sounds (it’s about Paul Massey the notorious Salford gangster)

Chernobyl podcast

Fighter Pilot podcast (interviews with pilots about the aircraft the flew)

The Bomb (about the dropping of the atomic bomb)

Real Narcos (Pablo Escobar and his cronies)

West Cork (an unsolved murder in West Cork)

Collect Cars with Chris Harris

Against the Odds

American Scandal (doing a series on Lance Armstrong just now and it’s very good)

Real Dictators

That Peter Crouch podcast is also very funny as is Shagged Married Annoyed with Chris and Rosey Ramsey.

Also listened to one about the unabomber but can’t remember what’s it’s called.

Got British Scandal in my subscribe list aswell so will get round to that next week.

Happy Listening

PiknMix ✅

🏠🐕🌈🚲🌪️🧚‍♀️🦁🤖💎🏙️👠👠🏠 – The Wizard of Oz?

💵⚾️

🧑🏻‍🦯👎👹🦻🏻👎👹

Some good advice here that I have never thought of. I suffer from bad knees aswell, I’m only 39 and in constant pain with my knees and left elbow.

Had all the tests for arthritis but they came back clear, left elbow is golfers elbow but apparently that will clear up on it own (had it for well over a year now), got told on Wednesday to have a break from cycling as that will aggravate the elbow, I have a physical job aswell which doesn’t help.

In regards to my knees it’s the right one that hurts the most, had my ACL replaced 6 years ago after an Ice Hockey injury, also tore my MCL about 14 months ago when I came off my bike. The pain is under the knee cap and it’s swollen. I can feel it stiffening up if I walk more than about a mile.

Been prescribed tramadol and naproxen but not keen on depending on tramadol for the pain. Rubbing copious amounts of tiger balm on the affected areas and taking 2 co-codamol at bed time, but they wear off about 4am and that’s me awake.

Sounds like I need to be seeing a sports physio aswell to try and get to the route problem.

Anyway, thanks for the ideas on this thread, glad to see I’m not alone.

I am in the same boat, really struggling just now. I have really bad joint pain in my knees and left elbow. Had all the tests for arthritis but they came back clear and doctors don’t really want to know now.. well it feels that way.

It stops me sleeping at night and when I do get to sleep it wakes me up about 3am and I just doze from then until I get up. I’m taking 2 co-codamol at night to get me to sleep and rubbing copious amount of tiger balm on the sore areas. Tried ice and heat but nothing touches the pain and discomfort. I hallucinate the through the night and just feel dog tired every day.

I try to stay motivated but I have zero energy at the minute. It feels like ground hog day every day, wake up, go to work in the dark, slog out a days work in the cold and go home when it’s cold and dark. I have a physical job (domestic fuel deliveries), so it’s hard on the body pulling the hose reel out 15+ times a day. My knees swell up and my left elbow screams in pain at night.

I got an ebike this year as my knees are totally shot and I love riding it, the problem is finding the motivation to get out. I started hill walking again recently and went out yesterday for a 5 mile walk, nothing challenging really.. and I paid for it last night and today. Now that the excitement of Christmas is out the way it feels like spring time is a looooong way off. I hate winter time, got a couple of models for Christmas which I will crack on with once New Year is done but I have put weight on and I hate I can’t shift it because I feel I can’t do anything to get it shifted. Running is out the question, I swam before lockdown but that’s off the cards now aswell.  2020 can go take a run and jump.. can’t wait to see the back of this year.

I feel totally bereft of confidence and self asteem. I like the idea somebody posted about the conqueror challenges so I’ll look into them. As always STW proves I’m not alone in suffering, the black dog is indeed bigger than ever just now. Good luck to everybody suffering and thanks to all those posting helpful advice so far.

Ahh another little baby on the block as my wife says. She is lovely mate, the doctors asked if I wanted to see my daughter being delivered by C section.. my wife declined on my behalf knowing I would have passed out.

It’s the best thing in the world being a Dad, my daughter is 3 and a half now and it feels like we brought her home last month. Time flies by, enjoy the baby stage, even when your knackered and late for everything for a while until you adjust to getting a baby ready to go. I used to love bringing Phoebe down stairs and cradling her while I watched some TV and she just slept in my arms.

Anyway, congrats again and have a lovely first Christmas together.

I went up in the loft tonight for a nosey, it actually had a backdraft thing fitted but it’s obviously nae use to man nor beast. I just put a temporary fix in place for now, I got a new exterior vent with a hood so I’ll fit that when I get a big enough ladder.

As for why I don’t use it, well I’m up before 5am during the week for work so don’t want to wake up my wife. Other than that I’m not sure to be honest. Just prefer to open the window for a while.

Thanks for the info chaps, there is a window in the room aswell so plenty ventilation. I’ll go with the blocking it up route I think. Never gets used anyway.

Oh my what a pretty bike. Do enjoy and continue to heal.

Good for you mate. I always feel much better for getting out for a cycle. Heading out in an hour or so and really looking forward to it. Won’t be anything exciting, just a pootle along the cycle path from Dundee to Carnoustie but it will be enjoyable. I’ll be heading over the military training ground at Barry Buddon which is always nice and peaceful with cracking views of the Tay Estuary flowing into the North Sea.

Yep, best bond there was. RIP

@thegeneralist.. sorry I meant hopping. I’m usually a stickler for spelling properly on here. In my defence I had a 3 year old to contend with whilst posting that reply.

I meant to make reference to the hoping thing in my post aswell. If you can hop a normal bike you can hope an ebike. Same principle just a bit more weight to take in to account. I didn’t have any issues hoping mine or having to manual stuff. Wheelies on the other hand are hard but I could never wheelie anyway.

We all have our crosses to bare mate. Just take it day at a time, some good advice on this thread so far so I have nothing of significance to add. I have been through anxiety and depression in the last 2 years and it’s awful. I still have bad days but they are few and far between now.

I get lots of joint pain which drains me physically and mentally, my job contributes to a lot of this so I think I’ll have to find something less physical once all this blows over, but what? No real qualifications and spent the last 15 years driving lorries so no real transferable skills.

On a really bad run of days I consider disappearing but it’s an improvement on where my head was maybe 2 years ago so I accept it’s just a passing thought.

Anyway, I feel better for getting that off my chest and I hope you do aswell for posting your situation. This place can be a great support network so just keep posting when your feeling overwhelmed.

Got myself a Trek Rail 7 earlier this year and it has transformed how much I can ride and where I can ride. I see my riding mates slogging and pushing up hills and think I’m so glad I’m on an ebike. I would never manage up on a normal bike with my knees. On the flat and downhill sections it feels more planted, took me a while to adjust to the extra weight whilst descending but the brakes are more than up to the job when I get a bit carried away. 29er wheels took some adjustment but I’m loving them now aswell.

<span style=”font-size: 0.8rem;”>I have done 45 miles on a single charge with a mix of everything and there was still easily 10 – 15 miles left in the battery. The bike is so capable it encourages me to ride more often and for longer, I actively seek out stuff to climb now where I used to avoid them at all costs.</span>

I have no complaints on the motor and battery front either. Get the odd dig from people about being on an ebike but sod em.. I’m having fun and enjoying my riding again.

I was also concerned about weight and travel when I was looking at ebikes but it really doesn’t matter as the motor is there to assist and you may aswell have as much travel as you want for the fun stuff. I certainly don’t regret my purchase.

love that Lancia, this thread inspired me to get another RC car. Got an FTX Outlaw brushed buggy this week. Got a spare battery and better charger aswell and happy with it so far. I’ll swap the motor to brushless later in the year. But happy with it for now. 

Looks good in that colour. I have a 2020 Rail 7 in volt and teal. It’s a cracking bike and has got me out cycling again.. win..win.

There was an Apache flying over Dundee on Wednesday afternoon. Never seen one over this way before, I’m guessing it was from Leuchars, did a few circuits round bottom of the Kingsway before heading off. Nice little treat as I miss the military aircraft presence that came with R.A.F Leuchars.

In Dundee so I have contacted Nicholson’s as they are the local Specialized dealer and I’ll get in touch with somebody who does Trek and I’ll take it from there. It’s a very early 40th birthday present to myself..

I have been in touch with my local Specialized supplier to hopefully book a demo on a Levo SL, looking forward to my first outing on an Ebike. I’m thinking it will be ideal for my failing knees and get me out riding more often and on more challenging terrain.

Where in Scotland are you Iain? How do you find the bike for assistance etc? Been doing some reading up on the Levo SL today and it’s what I’m looking for in terms of what it offers.

Never ridden or even sat on an ebike before so I have no idea what a “full power” ebike is like. The Levo SL looks like a good compromise.

Ps, what bike are you riding Iain? Looks good. I’m only 5ft 6 so.. I definitely class myself as vertically challenged.

Thanks for the info folks, I like the Canyons but the mail order thing puts me off. I was speaking to somebody this morning and they mentioned that when you hit the max speed the motor resits so you can’t go faster. Is that right or do some disengage the motor after that speed?

Im going to go and see a Trek Rail and try and find an Orbea dealer near me in Dundee to see them on the metal. The more I see the Orbea the more I like it, but the Trek is still out in front.