Brainstorming - how about this? But not up your street maybe.

I've known one or two people who have been drivers of those overland adventure trucks (Dragoman and similar).

As far as I know, there's a constant, if not very high, demand for drivers. And the main qualification seems to be "I've been there, and there, and there."
And, "I can mend that, and that."

Again as far as I know, most drivers only do the job for a while, maybe one season, another reason for the ongoing demand for new drivers.

So maybe a possibility for a year of earning? You'd be travelling, but on 6 or 8 wheels instead of 2.
And you must have tons of experience to offer.

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town

What are you qualified to do?

Originally in IT and Software QA zzzzzzzzzzz

Got all my Motorcycle Tech C&G's and IMI's and worked a lot with motorcycle sales.

Also done a little freelance journalism which I'm hoping to push a little further outside of the U.K.

I'm going back to college next month to qualify in Fabrication/Welding techniques so hoping that will lead somewhere.

I'm seriously thinking of starting my own motorcycle based fabrication and Overland Customising business since I have a large kitted out and importantly 'rent free' workshop already.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Nice idea, pursue what you love and all that.

The biggest problem though is that there is plently of others that want to do the same thing. Competition drives the margins low, volumes are low, sales sporadic. The business plan is a bit murky, sorry to say.

If you are keen on the idea, start it up as a sideline business, keep your overhead low and let it organically grow without the burden of it having to support you. That way at least the business has a fighting chance of success. You can be certain, that if it actually becomes successful after a few years of hard work, it will pull you into it full time. In the meantime, some boring work to pay the bills will keep the pints full.

My expectations exactly. I will hopefully doing other projects along side it.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

The problem with your plan is if you become a good fabricator, your customers won't let you go Ideally there would be two good mechanics in a business... one is traveling, the other one is at home working.

Unfortunately, I'm too old for a working holiday Visa and Australia is way too expensive to travel and not work in. For me anyway.

When I said I only had my bike and £500, I was being serious

Inspiring. I've been waiting for something like that to happen for years. I suppose you have to make these things happen yourself though.

I already sold one and my girlfriend said I'm not allowed (There's always one spoil sport)

Yup... Seen and talked to many of these people while on the road. Some of them love it and some hate it. I think it depends on your tolerance of 'GAP YAAARS'

That's a good shout actually. I wouldn't really be travelling anywhere I wanted to travel though. hmmmmmmmm

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted unfortunately I think your options are limited if, as it sounds you want to take of sooner rather than later.
Starting a small business takes start up capital and usually requires long hours and little return beyond pouring any capital straight back into the business for a good period of time.
To get to the point where its profitable to fund a trip, pay employees, cover costs and you can put in a manager you could possibly trust would most probably take years.

Given your too old for most work visa programs any work in a foreign country is most likely low paid, under the table, with maybe food and board thrown in.
You could get enough for an airfare and maybe a months living costs and volunteer on an organic farm, work in a hostel(sounds lame but say if it was a cool place with lots to do it might be a place to spend 3-6 months with minimal costs) or similar.
If your not able to save in this situation to at least get you to the next situation where you can repeat the above then I think your options are limited.
I would probably just work any jobs I could find doing multiple jobs if required to get the hours up, stacking supermarket shelves late night, whatever it takes. The key is obviously keeping your costs down with free or minimal rent and commuting costs. Can you move in with your parents, family, friends while you work your butt off?

If you can repair big bikes,change parts and like İstanbul, I will talk to my friends who has workshops and services here..But its very hard to get a working and residence permit so can be during your visa period...I guess same laws everywhere..So all work offers will be illegal and adventure on this part of the world...
My personal idea is whatever you can do is better in home country and lands..
Wish you all the best...

IT contracting is pretty well paid, no?

Stories of contractors earning a £1000 per day are not uncommon..... don't need to work too many days to save up a good chunk of money on those rates.....

Most well paid jobs are pretty dull.

I think you will find that they are stories, you sometimes get the exceptional person who can command it, but that is rare.

Unless you know different ????

Current rates are less than 50% that (at least for the PS work I do which is very ad-hoc). (and then I still have to take care of tax and expenses). But at least I can get to travel more this way.

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

500 quid a day then - can still save a lot on that....

I knew guys earning that kind of cash when I lived in the UK.

I'd rather eat out of the bin than go back to working behind a desk at a computer again.

Made me suicidal.... I could literally feel my life wasting away from under me.

I put it in the same category as call centre work which I managed for about a month before I was comtemplating burning the place down in my dinner break

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Check your maths, *less* than 50% of the figure, *less* expenses, *less* tax. And... I don't work every day. But yes, it does help with living expenses, added to no mortgage and no employer telling me what to do I (hopefully) get to travel more. Over the next 12 months I will out of the work game for at least 6 months.

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Hola ,
maybe a little bit crazy,but it is a thought.
Learn to play an instrument, and play in every street corner while traveling to earn your $$.
Or buy a clown suit and make an act on every town square.
Don't have an idea how far you can travel like this but
it will be very interesting !!!
For the moment this is my thought.

interesting tread

Saludos

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