Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

So I'm thinking about what sort of lifestyle I want when I finally get another job. Having been pay'd off twice now and being unemployed for a couple of months each time, I'm beginning to quite like it:)

So I could work hard for say 3 months, doing all the overtime available. Living as cheaply as possible and no luxuries. And just the odd bimble on the bike. Saving up as much as possible

Then quit work and travel the world on the bike for a few months or however long funds allow. Again, living as cheaply as possible, but travelling abroad on the bike to somewhere sunny.

Has anyone ever lived like this?

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

Mod Edit : Title shortened so as page format not messed up

ta

Fizz

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike (for a few months) --- then working like a slave and living like a bum (for a few months)
 

Good man!

You'll need to figure out where you're going to go beforehand as this will dictate many, many things i.e. type of bike, panniers, tyres, budget, tiem of year to set off etc

horizons unlimited will be a good resource for loads of free info.

If you want I'll pm some info from the planning of my trip....but half the fun is figuring it all out for yourself and ignoring all the duff advice on the way!

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

Sounds awesome, what if you can't get a job when you get back though?

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

Good plan, but having showing your employers you keep leaving after a few months may be hard to get a decent paying job.. they like security in you..

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

Or even better, go touring on the bike, sell all worldly possessions and find somewhere cheap to live when you stop off in a country, do some work there then set a date for moving on based on how much you are earning.

I have a friend who nobs off to Portugal or Australia for 6 months max each year and works there being paid and living it up on his days off. He loves it.

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

A guy who worked for MoD with me a few years back used to take advantage of the career breaks you can take. He'd work for a couple of years, save up as you mentioned in your post, then take a years career break and go travelling.
On the upside, you have a job to go back to as MoD (used to) keep a position open to you. On the downside, it might not be the same job you left.
Not sure if they have this scheme any more, they seem to be more keen on paying us all off into private industry or early severance!

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

To be honest I'd rather not plan the touring and just see what happens.

Well that's the worry. I think I'd have to keep some money back in case it is a while before I get another job

True but there could be unlimited company's if I'm not tied down to one area and can move quickly and easily. Agency work is an option

Now this sounds like a good idea. I like the sound of that

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

I mean I really like idea but I think in the real world it's just not really practical... eventually after about 6 jobs of being there for 3 months, eventually employers will ask "You seem to work for a few months then you're out of work for a few months, why?" and then you'll say "I bugger off on my bike" and they'll tell you to do just that..

May I suggest looking for a job as a motorcycle journalist? Some of the better RiDE, BIKE, Superbike/fastbike mag journalists get free travel to some of the worlds best roads to test the latest machinery... so you can ride while you ride....and get paid for it! You don't even really need that much experience, as long as you're a bike enthuisiat, can type and have a sense of humour and can review things, it's for you..Cha-ching.

If you are wanting to start I suggest you sign up to ciao.co.uk or similar and start review products, you can earn money (I earnt £8 lmao!) and also lets you know how your reviewing skills are as people will suggest what you did good and wrong.

Re: Living like a bum and touring on the bike
 

Go to www.loisontheloose.com and read some of her tales, now that's an adventure. I just wish i had that kind of bottle, and the freedom to use it!