All Change.

After 3 weeks of no money, and me ringing the agency every few day to be told “You’re definitely not sacked, we are just waiting on a date for your retraining.” I got a text. I’m sacked. Well, I’m agency, they don’t want me back, same thing. Super. They did do a follow up text though, saying they only deal with Royal Mail, ring a different branch and see if they have any local jobs. They gave me the number so I rang it straight away. I asked if they do the contract for Sainsbury’s, he said they did, so he’s getting me in for assessment next week, he said.

I’ve seen multiple adverts from different agencies for Sainsbury’s. I got the distinct impression it was back to the old bullshit. Them hammering you with shifts, at the time and pattern they choose. I asked what the shift pattern is and he said “It’s whatever you want, really.”

I’ve got a good feeling about this. All the other agencies treat you like their property, ‘you are doing this shift, or else’. I thought the deal with this agency, where you tell them when you are available, at what sort or time slot, was just down to RM making them treat you fairly. If that’s the company-wide agency ethos, I am laughing. He asked what sort of start times I was after, I said days, preferably. He said they have a few, but they have loads of agency lads wanting them. The start time they were always looking to fill was 01.00 – 04.00. Which is what I was expecting when I asked about the gig. The only good thing about 01.00 starts is all the road closures will already be in place and the traffic will be minimal. I hate the 21.00 chaos as they try to close lanes on still fairly busy motorways.

I’ve just found the actual job advert from my agency. £18- £30.60 p/h, 10 – 12 hours a day, single deck box trailers, maximum of three drops, full time availability, overtime after 48 hours, possible temp to perm.

Wendy had a good idea. While I’m still agency, do 4 on 3 off. That way I can still do training and see a bit of Wendy and such. I’ll see if that’s acceptable, and what the money is like. It would mean I won’t be getting the overtime rate.

The bottom fell out of my stomach when I got the text, but this could be really good. It’s good money, not too long shift, and possible temp to perm. I could end up on a winner. I’ll have to wait and see how it shakes out.

Assuming I get the job.

The best thing is, it’s a fresh start. The driver trainers at RM taught me some valuable lessons after my bumps, which I took onboard and which have made me a much better driver. Sadly, it was too late. I’d already blotted my copy book. The genuine, blind spot post incident, was a trivial matter in the grand scheme of things, but it was the final straw.

Now I want to get stuck in, get my assessment done, and get a few day’s work under my belt so I can settle into the job.

In related news, I’ve been getting the bike ready. The custom seat that came with it was too thin, which was uncomfortable and made the seated position too low. I’ve got a (second hand) standard seat off a T100 Bonneville and fitted it. It’s loads better. Much more comfortable, slightly higher, and (possibly because you can sit back on the seat) your legs don’t feel cramped on the pegs.

Old and new:

As you can see I’ve also added a plate for a back box. I’m resisting putting the box on until I start commuting because the bike is too damn pretty without.

If I’m doing 25 miles a day the old, worn, back tyre isn’t going to last long. Then I notice the front is also old and has a lump gouged out of the sidewall. I’ve ordered a set of new tyres and have priced local fitting for when they arrive. The only other thing I’m doing right away is I’ve ordered some M bars.

It’s not the aggressive posture of acer bars, (which somebody commented they really like. For the first 15 minutes.) but it’s not the ‘wheeling a shopping trolley’ feel of the high bars that are on it. The position is adjustable so I’ll just go for something that feels more in control and as though you are leaning forward a bit.

I have looked at the air filter/ snorkel and restricter, they are all standard. So later on, when the money is coming in again, I’ll upgrade them then run the mapping software. It’s supposed to eliminate the throttle snatchiness. That would be great. Also the chain seems to be at maximum adjustment, so a new chain and sprocket set are on the cards. I’ll probably change the oil, oil filter, and spark plugs while I’m at it.

Which sounds like a lot, but air filter/ oil filter/ oil and plugs is just a service, tyres, and chain and sprocket set is just replacing consumables. The rest; seat, bars, air intake, and engine mapping, is just setting the bike to how I want it. Hopefully after all that it should just run and run. I’ve said it before, but modern Triumphs are as good as the Japanese now.

A few other things of note about the Triumph. I absolutely love it. I don’t know why, but I do. On paper the VFR kicks it’s arse in every respect, the VFR was a perfectly realised all-rounder. The perfect tool for any job. I used it as such. If I had to go somewhere the VFR was there. To get me rapidly from A to B. But I sort of fell out of love with biking.

The Triumph is just a joy to ride. It’s no fun at 70+ (at the moment, because of the upright riding position and zero wind protection), and I managed to grind the hero blob on the footpeg today (me!) so it doesn’t have great cornering clearance, but it’s just lovely to be on. I am happy just chugging along. It makes no sense, but I am loving biking again.

We’ll see how long that lasts when I have to commute in winter, but for now… amazing.

I’m still waiting on the call from the Harley shop. That will be amazing as well. I think I’m possibly old enough to appreciate being in the moment on a great (but slow) bike. As a 19 year old, with raging BPD, I thrashed my Sportster like a race bike. Absolutely not what they are good for. If I enjoy it as much as the Bonnie, (about the same, 67bhp -ish) I am going to be such a happy bunny. Once the money is rolling in there are limitless goodies to buy to tart it up. Fun times.

Now I just need to get this pesky ‘work’ business sorted.