A left turn an a leap of faith

[Gone in 60]

You guys are my true riding buddies and my closest group of motorcycle related friends. We share a lot here, and as I stand on the precipice of a life  change, I can’t think of another group of guys I’d want to share it with.

I’ve shared a bit that my job isn’t the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done. In fact it’s been very trying. I’ve been in the automotive performance and racing market for 30 years as of 2026. After a race event company I called home for 20 years shut down at the end of ‘24, I’ve been at a job that started out ok but has morphed into something I simply do not like. A month ago when my pay was cut substantially, I decided it was time to move.

Mrs. G has watched my transformation into someone who’s become downright unpleasant to be around. She has told me that at this point in my life, I need to do something I just love despite the salary. And I love motorcycles so it has to be a motorcycle related job.

I revved up my resume, updated my LinkedIn, etc, and reached out to my limited contacts in the motorcycle community. A few times a day, I type “motorcycle” in the search bars on every job hunting app there is.

I got one hit a month ago for a company that does time-critical medical deliveries by motorcycle. Sounded kind of cool. I got a reply that they wanted to do a video interview. Huh.

It went really well. The owner explained that he ran a very successful air charter business, loved motorcycles and wanted to combine motorcycles and deliveries in a unique market that wasn’t being serviced. Critical medical deliveries like blood need to be delivered around the traffic-choked Southern California area frequently but cars sit in traffic, an unless it’s Brad Pitt or the Pope, a helicopter is too expensive.

Why not motorcycles? And done in a way that is bonded and secured meeting all medical requirements. It sounded fascinating. I was drawn to the guy’s vision instantly. Not once was I asked about my resume or why I wanted to leave my job. The question was simply “Tell me why you love motorcycles.”

It is a startup in planning phase but we’ll contact you when we’re ready to launch. Ok. Sounds cool, good luck, probably never hear from them again.

On Thursday his name popped up on my phone. We just did our soft launch and it’s ramping up very quickly. Are you still on board? Holy crap. 

I’m submitting my resignation tomorrow morning. Two weeks from now I will be piloting a 2016 former Santa Monica Police BMW RTP painted up like a European emergency response bike in day-glow yellow with the word BLOOD on the windshield. I’m about to do hours of HIPAA and OSHA medical material handling and chain of custody training.

I’ll be the first full time staff rider.
The plan is that as the company grows we’ll take on more bikes and riders and I’ll vet and train the riders and manage the fleet. 

Or it will crash and burn, I’ll have a cool story to tell, and I’ll be looking for a job. But there is no way on earth I’m  going to let the opportunity slip by.

MOTO-Med.com

[Pauley]

Sounds like an interesting opportunity! Congratulations on making a change! Wishing you the best of luck!

[Nachodaddy]

What a great concept! Congratulations, I hope this all works out for you. You are just the guy to get it rolling.

[the Ferret]

Very cool. Congrats and good luck. Sounds like an exciting opportunity. Did he give you the "I can't pay you much now, but as the business grows so will your compensation" line? I've heard that a time or two lol.

Back in the early 80s a fellow here in Cinti started a MC express delivery service using a fleet of Suzuki GS 450 motorcycles. Both of my nephews were couriers for him. He was very successful until he and his wife got divorced and problems arose with her interests in the business etc. It eventually cost him the business.

[pdedse]

So very, very happy for you Gone!! Who knew that all that LA mc commuting, lane-splitting and feathering skills, your in-depth knowledge of the area, your love of motorcycles, and your attention to detail would all factor in to land you such a unique opportunity.  The part of you being the first full-timer and the one that would vet and train others to follow is exciting.  I remember the tour you gave me of the Petersen Automotive Museum.  The autos were amazing...but equally so was your knowledge and history of all the vehicles you were highlighting...that passing on of knowledge in a comprehensible style...transferable skills!    

I feel like texting all my Hollywood-director contacts and letting them know that they should call your new boss so they can do a documentary where they get-in on the ground up.    

Would love to be a fly-on-the-wall for the first few days...well, maybe not the legal training part, but all that has to deal with how it works, doing your first outing, etc.  I think I'm intrigued, too, because in Costa Rica I see motorcycle delivery guys all over the place.  From fast food, to business couriers, to auto parts-delivery riders, to pool-cleaning guys with their 10' nets sticking straight up, all riding 125-150cc bikes, navigating traffic jams, pedestrians, weaving and bobbing this way and that.  It's a sight to behold. 

I find the whole concept fascinating, maybe in part because I'm approaching the "end of my formal teaching career" phase, and wondering what's out there beyond what I've done the last 35 years...and your opportunity reminds me that maybe other "left turns" are out there.  

[Cormanus]

Congratulations Gone and very best wishes for the new gig. What a great thing to be doing, and to be getting in on the ground floor — or should that be on the front row of the grid.

I've this memory of a UK member on the old forum who did motorcycle deliveries of blood as a volunteer. But I might be dreaming.

[rdprdp01]

Gone, I never doubted for a moment that something fantastic would come your way. That you have found a way to celebrate your love for motorcycles and help those most in need fits you well. Mrs. G will be delighted to welcome her handsome man back into the house, happy and content. Best of luck! David

[Gone in 60]

Guys, I sincerely thank you for all of the good wishes on this venture. I very much appreciate all of your comments. It's still sinking in a bit. I woke up this morning to a text from the boss. He sent me the size chart for Sena helmets and asked what size I need. Then size charts for the jacket, pants, and Helite vest. All of that made it quite a bit more real. HR sent over all of the paperwork, I just completed it, and just hit send on my resignation email to my current boss.

I'm meeting up with the boss on Sunday for an orientation with the bike and to get the feel of it. I've crossed states on a GS, but I've never ridden an RT, so this will be interesting, especially in tight traffic. All of that lane splitting Pdedse mentioned? That's going to come in handy for sure. I know I have some kind of Adult ADHD, and sitting at a desk staring at screens, I can't seem to finish one thing without another popping into my head that seems more urgent. But riding in traffic funnels all of your random thoughts into one, single, focused line of thought. Scan, evaluate, execute, repeat. I love things that focus my mind.

And the pay? Did he give me the line about what he can pay me now but we'll see how it goes and I'll pay you more later? Pretty much, yeah. Actually, he sees me as the manager of the team and fleet, but so far there's no team or fleet. So, I'm starting as "Rider" to cut my teeth as the service builds with the promise that once we do have a fleet and a crew, I'll get bumped up to "Chief Rider". Two more bikes are currently being put together, and he's interviewing a few more riders. But, after a lifetime of hard work, I'm at the point where enjoyment outweighs the paycheck. More money would be nice, but we're doing fine.

[Cormanus]

As someone who has twice in his life taken a pay cut because work or life was not what it should have been, I commend your wisdom, Gone. It sounds like a great service to be involved in.

[rdprdp01]

Well said and even better lived, Cormanus.