autumn has fallen
The nights are getting darker quickly now that the summer holidays are over, and, unsurprisingly, business has slowed down. I've been going out for a few hours three nights a week and every other weekend, but it's been relatively quiet. There’s a noticeable drop in the number of orders between holiday seasons, which is understandable, people have to tighten their belts after all those extra holiday splurges. Uber has also expanded its delivery area, so now I have to be more selective about the orders I accept. On the plus side, this expansion means more cars are out and about, keeping them busy and, more importantly, out of my way as a cyclist. The only downside is that I’m now at risk of delivering to places where they don’t even know I exist.
With the darker evenings, visibility is key. Luckily, my Uber delivery bag is equipped with reflective stripes and a bright green colour that practically screams, “Look out, I’m coming!” I’ve also found lights that work perfectly with a quick release, so I can whip them off like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat when I need to check house numbers. It’s only now, as I’m writing this, that I realise I might be inadvertently giving a few unsuspecting residents the fright of their lives by shining a light in their windows at 7 p.m. I’m just trying to be helpful, but I suppose not everyone appreciates impromptu stage lighting.
On average, I make around £30–£40 during a three hour shift from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. But the tipping culture, as always, is a bit hit or miss. On a few evenings, the orders were so scarce I felt like I was playing an elaborate waiting game with the app. There was even one shift where I completed two orders in three hours and earned £6—about enough to cover the sandwiches.
These quieter periods are a test of patience, and I’ve found myself questioning if it’s worth getting on the bike at all. But, as the famous philosopher (probably) once said, “A little exercise never killed anyone,” so I soldier on. To pass the time during these slow moments, I’ve started downloading podcasts and watching minimized YouTube videos with my premium subscription. It’s not a bad way to multitask, although my ability to concentrate on deliveries has probably decreased as I now know all there is to know about the Russian sleep experiment.
I’ve noticed that other delivery drivers and cyclists are also feeling the effects of this slow period, which is somewhat reassuring. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in trying to make ends meet while barely making the same amount as a paper boy. As the darker nights and colder weather set in, it’s time to reassess my wardrobe and gear up for the season ahead, there’s nothing like cycling in freezing rain to remind you why you should’ve invested in a better choices at school.
