Invest in a decent puncture repair kit too. Don’t blow the French chalk into a headwind, nowt worse than spending 10 minutes rubbing the chalk on the serrated bit of the case, and ending up with it all over your face. Don’t forget bike clips, ripped many a pair of Oxford baggies after being dragged into the chain. Be careful of getting the pedal wedged under your platform sole and dragging your foot under and scraping your toes on the tarmac. If you’re thinking I haven’t ridden a bike since the 1970’s, you are indeed correct.
BanburyDan:
When I get paid I shall be investing in a second-hand bike. I am only about 3 miles from work so it should be doable. I used to ride a lot as a kid but havn’t ridden for about 15 years now. Must admit its a little daunting!
Don’t let your mates see the stabilisers, they may take the ■■■■. 
Just looking at the map - I wondered if you could do part of the route on the Selby Canal Towpath. Even if it’s no shorter, it may be a lot safer - so long as you don’t fall in.
Another possibility is to advertise for a lift. Local newsagent’s windows and even the local paper - may be someone wanting a car share.
mate i bike to selby most days on my 4 0ff from near eggborough, if i wear you wanting to go from knottingley - head out of knottingley passed chemical place on a645 then head for beal , west haddlesey .gateforth over a63 into brayton.this is safer than a19 and should be quicker .
in the 80"s i had to use a bike (saving up 4 marriage)23 miles round trip , i quickly found gloves were essential , also if wearing steelies ,very thick socks ,and i invested in 2 new spare inner tubes 4 quick change over ,boy, they were needed, i even invested in a couple off proper bike tyre levers(cos my mum wouldn"t let me have a couple of her spoons!!!) also,remember, if u aint got quick release wheels ,you will need small shifter/spanner 2 release wheel
Johnny, how about instead of asking on here what to do, you sort it out. You have two options, find a way of getting to work, or not go to work.
I cycled to work every day until i could afford a car, ive ridden on busy roads, you have to deal with it. What else can you do?
Your employer isnt going to care how you get to work aslong as you are there on time. If you have to rely on someone else to take you every day then your screwed.
Failing everything, go back to college? Is this your second job now?
Are you actually real Johnny or are you a wind up?
I would go for a scooter, cheap road tax and insurance 100+M.P.G easy to ride. I had a Yamaha YQ 100 for work, good brakes quick of the mark and 8 quid filled the tank.
Just don’t go for any of the acme no name junk, Japanese or Italian ones are the best.
Truckulent:
Try this…ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-1988- … _768wt_932
Much easier than cycling, and cheap as chips…
Perfect, but you run the risk of being seen riding it by your mates. 
i`m sensing a “had to pack the job in coz i had no way of getting there” coming on
When I was younger I cycled 10 miles each way for work, so what you want to do is possible.Have a look at the government scheme about paying for bikes you most likely want a hybrid and get the tyres really pumped up to 60 psi you need to cut down rolling resistance, wear hi-vis if you are among traffic also a helmet.
commonrail:
i`m sensing a “had to pack the job in coz i had no way of getting there” coming on
Me too. I have a little bet on with another 2 TruckNet members on how long it would be before he found an excuse to leave this job. One is already out of the running and of the two left I gave him the most benefit of doubt with a prediction of 5 months, I think I’m on a loser.
Hi JTF,
Whilst walking my dog the other day came across a bloke with his father, they were pushing a tandam across the causeway in Topsham and I noticed the front wheel hub and asked the bloke about it. He had an electric motor front wheel hub that he bought from the internet for £300 new and it fits to most standard bikes. Him and his father were testing it to see how far it could going 2 up. They had cover 8 miles and it was still going strong. Might be worth looking at one.
mike68:
Truckulent:
Try this…ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-1988- … _768wt_932
Much easier than cycling, and cheap as chips…
Perfect, but you run the risk of being seen riding it by your mates.
Yeah, but who gives a ■■■■ at 100mpg and peanuts to run? I certainly wouldn’t…■■■■■■■■ to 'em…
besides I’ve got a 1250 Bandit GT and a Kawasaki GPZ500… 
Not even going to bother attempting to reply to all of the people who think I’m just whining. I asked for some advice, thank you for those who gave the advice. The problem in hand is being dealt with and sorted out after talking it through properly with my parents.
I will not be leaving my employers or making excuses for me not to go to work, If people didn’t gather from the thread I posted up about my first week in work I actually love going to work on a morning and I even prefer these 12 hour shifts to the 9 hour shifts. The days still keep going by too fast for my liking, and the work is as enjoyable as it first was because it keeps my mind functioning and if I’m stuck there’s great people who I work with who don’t mind giving a help in hand because they know I listen and take on board what they say the best I can and so far it’s just taken once sometimes twice to explain things too me so I can understand how things are done properly. And this is the first weekend I’ve ever worked, it’s weird because it’s all new to me but it’s enjoyable too. Do I regret giving up college to go to work? Not in a million years. Will I feel the same in a few months time? Who knows, but while I’m enjoying my days more and more I will probably feel better about working there.
As for my previous employers, It’s old news and swept under the carpet and only go back to it when I want to remind myself of a situation I never want to be in again. In the past few weeks, I’ve learnt to stop giving a ■■■■ about what people think of me because regardless what you do you can’t please everyone. I’d rather please myself than worry about what other people think 
But I won’t be quitting my job. Good pay, Guaranteed hours, Good company, Easy but sometimes challenging work, Good work colleagues and the most important Managers I get on with and haven’t had an argument yet. Even on my first shift when I ■■■■■■ up 2 separate pick orders because I used the wrong totes meaning about 20+ picks had to be moved into the right numbered boxes for the colour of the sheets which the orders are printed on, instead of having ago at me he was kind enough to point out what I did wrong and corrected me like a work colleague already did. I felt like ■■■■ for it for a while but I learnt. Nobody gets anywhere without making a few ■■■■ ups on the way.
As for me I’ll look forward to getting back to work on Monday as I have tomorrow off for arrangements I had made before I started work. Enjoy your evening folks.
Cheers
Jonny
jonny, have you looked for a wheel’s to work yet, my local councl had a wheel’s to work scheme, i used them for 2 yr’s
it may help if you haven’t got the finances to buy a moped.
jonnytruckfest:
Good evening ladies and gents,I’m thinking of getting a bike to ride too and from work to save money (and to get fitter too!
) Just wanting to know whether it would be a sensible thing to do. As if anyone knows the route from Knottingley to the BOCM plant in Selby by car it’s all back roads and country roads with a few busy roundabouts and it puts me off a bit as I’ve never really rode a bike on the roads But I’m seriously considering it as I’m currently having a mate take me too and from work and well it’s becoming short lived and it’s looking like I may have no other choice
Just wondering if anyone has any advice for riding a bike on the roads and how long I should set off in advance to get too work
And I don’t want to give up the job because I don’t want to be back on the dole again
Cheers
Jonny
Is no space in a Corner to stay during the Week in a Tent?
I’d say get a bike and go for it. Make sure you’ve got bright lights, especially to the rear, high viz clothing, and some good waterproofs. I bought my bike three years ago at a local car-boot for £30 so that does’nt owe me much. The only weather I really hate riding in is snow, and the following ice, so it’s into the car then.
Only thing to remember is not to upset any bus drivers 
Coffeeholic:
commonrail:
i`m sensing a “had to pack the job in coz i had no way of getting there” coming onMe too. I have a little bet on with another 2 TruckNet members on how long it would be before he found an excuse to leave this job. One is already out of the running and of the two left I gave him the most benefit of doubt with a prediction of 5 months, I think I’m on a loser.
+3, thought I was the only one thinking the same
Truckulent:
Try this…ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-1988- … _768wt_932
Much easier than cycling, and cheap as chips…
Yep, summat like that will do. I’m lucky in that I’m only two miles from the yard, have got a pushbike but bought this instead;
Cost me £205 on fleabay two and a half years ago, fitted a new battery, spark plug and a pair of mirrors and it’s done the job ever since. Full tank of petrol (just over a gallon) lasts three weeks, and the beauty of the scoot is you can carry all your gear either under the seat, in a topbox or between your feet without it getting in your way when pedalling as is the case with a pushbike. For similar reasons, I’d go for a scooter over a traditional motorbike.
Few bits of advice from a lifelong biker when buying a scooter;
-
Chinese ones are crap and won’t outlive their warranties; go for an established name, even an old Honda is better than a brand new Yingtong or whatever the names are. Four-stroke is better than two-stroke once above 50cc capacity.
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Be religious with your servicing intervals, especially oil changes and it’ll last you a lifetime.
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On a journey like that I’d go for a 125cc, or bigger if you’ve already got a bike licence. Mine’s 100cc, top speed’s only about 45 but it copes with a pretty steep hill with ease.
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A windscreen is worth having, even at the expense of slightly worse fuel consumption.
If you haven’t got a full bike licence and passed your car test after 1-2-2001 then you’ll need to do CBT before going on the road,even on a moped. This costs about £80. Not sure about the ins and outs of L-plate riding these days but this link should explain it all;
If you want any further advice on motorbikes feel free to PM me.
gnasty gnome:
Truckulent:
Try this…ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-1988- … _768wt_932
Much easier than cycling, and cheap as chips…
Yep, summat like that will do. I’m lucky in that I’m only two miles from the yard, have got a pushbike but bought this instead;
Cost me £205 on fleabay two and a half years ago, fitted a new battery, spark plug and a pair of mirrors and it’s done the job ever since. Full tank of petrol (just over a gallon) lasts three weeks, and the beauty of the scoot is you can carry all your gear either under the seat, in a topbox or between your feet without it getting in your way when pedalling as is the case with a pushbike. For similar reasons, I’d go for a scooter over a traditional motorbike.
Few bits of advice from a lifelong biker when buying a scooter;
Chinese ones are crap and won’t outlive their warranties; go for an established name, even an old Honda is better than a brand new Yingtong or whatever the names are. Four-stroke is better than two-stroke once above 50cc capacity.
Be religious with your servicing intervals, especially oil changes and it’ll last you a lifetime.
On a journey like that I’d go for a 125cc, or bigger if you’ve already got a bike licence. Mine’s 100cc, top speed’s only about 45 but it copes with a pretty steep hill with ease.
A windscreen is worth having, even at the expense of slightly worse fuel consumption.
If you haven’t got a full bike licence and passed your car test after 1-2-2001 then you’ll need to do CBT before going on the road,even on a moped. This costs about £80. Not sure about the ins and outs of L-plate riding these days but this link should explain it all;
Riding a motorcycle, moped or motor tricycle: Overview - GOV.UK
If you want any further advice on motorbikes feel free to PM me.
Oh, and BTW I also work for BOCM, running out of Carmarthen mill. They’re a good firm to work for, and as close to a job for life as you’ll ever get these days.
Thanks for that I have the transport to and from work sorted out for the time being so getting too and from work is no longer a problem. And I don’t work at the BOCM mill in Selby, I work at Clipper logistics and to get too the warehouse I have to go through the mill and Potter Groups yard to get to them. From what I’ve experienced so far it’s a good company to work for, if you aren’t afraid to work hard they are more than willing to reward you for it. I’ve not even been there a month and I’ve already been asked if I wanted to go on a first aid course so I can become a qualified first aider, so I must be doing something right.
This is one time I’m glad people think I’m going to jack everything in at some point. I’ll be there at the end of it to say I told you so.
Cheers
Jonny