My commuting days might be earlier than expected!

[Matthew_T]

Going to apply for a job tomorrow at Brantano. It is only 6 hours a week (Weekends and one day in the week) but I can see myself easily commuting the 5 miles the route is.

If I do get the job then I wont bother buying a proper commuter because I dont really want to cough up £200 when I dont need one. I will probably just buy myself a cheap mountain bike and then fit smoother tires to it or something. The problem is though, that there isnt any form of changing rooms or toilets at the building so how would I stop my clothes getting dirty/sweaty during the trip?
The whole bike/lights/tires/speedo combo will probably cost about £150 (bike will be under 100), so its a pretty cheap commute.

 

[summerdays]

There must be some form of toilets I'm sure. But if you don't cycle madly then you don't need to change/shower for a 5 mile trip, you can always do a fast return journey instead on the way home. (And if necessary use wipes when you arrive at work.)

 

[I like Skol]

Why spend anything on more kit? You already have a bike and a 5 mile ride at a sensible pace is hardly going to reduce you to a molten sweaty mess. The payback time on anything you buy when you are only doing 6 hrs a week will wipe out any earnings for a long time to come, just make do with what you have.

If I were you I would use my current bike and find somewhere to lock it in the loading bay area(inside).

Other than that, good luck with the application and don't start asking awkward questions about bike security or faciliites until after you have been given the job.

 

[ianrauk]

5 Miles? Not even going to break a sweat.
Get yourself a pack of babywipes and use them to wipe yourself down.

 

[akb]

Or keep a change of clothes at work. Thats how most cyclists cope without work based showers.

 

[Banjo]

Good luck with getting the job.Just carry a clean shirt in with you if needed . As someone else said dont ask any questions about bike parking etc in the interview.Find out something about the company. A question that often comes up on interviews is "What do you know about this company?"

 

[I like Skol]

Find out something about the company. A question that often comes up on interviews is "What do you know about this company?"

Don't answer that question truthfully!.........
Brantano is a cut price footwear retail chain that, like most high st retailers, will want to employ the cheapest, obedient staff they can find and use/abuse them to the very limit of what the law allows. Young and hopeful suits them just fine.

Cynical, me?

 

[Matthew_T]

Dropped off the CV just now. Poor woman was cleaning the outside windows and manning the front desk! Very short staffed there.
She asked me what days I was unavailable (due to college) and said that she will have a thorough look through all the applications later. She said she had a big pile of them so I am thinking it is likely for me to have an interview, but slimmer for me to get the job.

I know that you don't ask silly questions in the interview about the bike security! I do know what to ask in the interview (hours/info on business/training/etc...). I already have a pack of baby wipes which I use for my bike, I will buy some newer ones closer to the start date though.
I dont mind buying myself a cheap bike from a local dealer as I can use it for everyday use as well. It isnt going to be massively expensive.

 

[Matthew_T]

Don't answer that question truthfully!.........
Brantano is a cut price footwear retail chain that, like most high st retailers, will want to employ the cheapest, obedient staff they can find and use/abuse them to the very limit of what the law allows. Young and hopeful suits them just fine.

Cynical, me?

From my experiences of this particular shop, they have been a bit useless with staff and them helping you in store. I can see myself performing well in this role.

 

[Matthew_T]

You already have a bike .

I would prefer not to use my racer. You don't know what Rhyl is like.

 

[akb]

Slightly OT, but I would be inclined to ask about cycling provisions. Shows the interviewer that you have your transport sorted, and not have to rely on a driving parent/sibling etc. Will go a long way to show that you are an independent person. IMHO of course!

 

[I like Skol]

Slightly OT, but I would be inclined to ask about cycling provisions. Shows the interviewer that you have your transport sorted, and not have to rely on a driving parent/sibling etc. Will go a long way to show that you are an independent person. IMHO of course!

You are likely to interviewed by someone who believes riding 5 miles is something only done by top atheletes and besides, won't you get a puncture or something????