Viking Trucker

Back on the road again!

2009-04-19T01:49:00.005+02:00

Hi there! I am back trucking again. It's a long story so I won't bug you with it. I'll leave you some photos. As they say, a photo is worth more than a thousand words!

Here are some from my first trip... My trip from Spain to Oslo, Norway!

Up until now, with the truck I've been to Spain, France, England, Luxemburg, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweeden and Norway. More to come!

Third trip: Ten days on the road...

2008-11-08T18:45:00.000+01:00

...and more than 7000 kilometers made. As I said, I am to show you why I think my new "office" is of the best offices one can work in.
By the way, my company gave us (my teacher and I) a brand new truck after finishing the second trip. You'll notice some blue protective plastic is still stuck on a staneless steel peace on the right hand side.

The exterior view of my office. I love this twelve-wheeler!

The front view

The entry of my office. High above the ground...

480 horsepower waiting to be used.

My "desk" with its computers tucked in the dash.

No double-clutchin' here!

Enjoying my day of work.

Why do I love my daily office view so much? Because it's different every second! Here's a sample of what a trucker can enjoy observing when he takes the different scenery values of Europe into mind:

In France

In Spain

See what I mean? Some truckers may only see a highway in front of them...

How we eat...it's all in the art!

In Madrid city: The day before we unloaded.

My teacher and me: A late night supper in Dunkerque -in the northen part of France-.

My dream come true!

2008-10-26T16:55:00.005+01:00

Since the first post of this blog -when I started this project to be a trucker- a lot has happened. I am very glad to announce that I am now an international truck driver for a huge transport company.

I'm a second driver -in other words I have a "first driver" that is teaching me what is to drive a truck with 28 tonnes of cargo behind you.

It's wonderful to have ABS with disk brakes in all axles (including the trailer) with engine brake as well. Many times I am going down a hill only using the exaust braking system of the engine and not touching the service brakes. It's a wonderful feeling.

I am driving a Volvo FH that has 480 horse power. It's not too big inside for two of us drivers but it's "liveble". I sleep very well in there.

You may ask me what is the big deal of this job. Well, basically I love travelling. I love driving and I am enjoying the sight of all the diverse countryside of most European countries. I love being on top of all car traffic and seeing sunrises, sunsets, rain, valleys, mountains, even seeing a falling star. Stopping for driver changes in the middle of nowhere and see the uncountable stars glow in the dark sky... I can tell you all that after working in an office for nine years in front of a computer screen drawing machinery... driving around the "old continent" beats it. The scenery of a screen at work doesn't appeal to me compared to what I'm enjoying now. Take a sample of what I am into now. Enjoy!

Me, My car and the truck I am driving. (It's my teachers truck.)

Driving from my base in Spain to England.

Driving into the ferry that will take me from Calais (a costal city in the north of France) to Dover (a costal town in the south-east of England).

The Volvo I drive with it's trailer allready in England with my teacher posing for the shot.

Ready to start for Belgium!

Leaving rainy Belgium after loading some car parts. Heading to our home-base in Spain. (Again I say, the truck is not mine, so whatever you see in there is not mine).

We drove all night from Belgium to Barcelona straight leaving 5PM to arrive at 11:30AM.

My real driving license

2008-07-07T03:18:00.002+02:00

After some time of some anxious waiting I finally received that white envelope with that pink card (the driving license) printed with my new data.

My next and final step is to actually get into that long truck and start driving. At the moment I'm looking for that job but it's likely that I'll get a job after summer fades away... I'll keep you posted for sure!

Part 3 of 3 completed!

2008-05-23T01:19:00.008+02:00

As the title suggests, I have great news.

Today, May 22 I had my last test -the road test-. I passed it with flying colors!!!

I thank God for giving me a clear mind and little nerves. It started raining when I started driving. I never drove that rig with rain before but the ride was nice and smooth -something the examiners like-.
I thank God as well for this covered gray day -taking the sun out of my sight. He knew what I needed to get a better ride on the exam. It was a perfect day for driving. Rain always relaxes me.

I finally have my European "rig" driving license!!! I passed it on the first try!!! I am too happy to say more...

I must only wait to get a phone call from my driving school to pick up my temporary license until my real one gets mailed in from Madrid.

Once that happens I will be on the "job-searching-spree". I am sooooo excited.

I'll be posting again once I get my temporary license and again when I receive my real one.

Until then, keep tuned!

Step 3: Road classes start!

2008-05-16T04:28:00.001+02:00

May 14, 2008 - Today (my second class) I had two hours of driving. My teacher (the camera man) took me around a difficult but very scenic route in the north of Girona (Spain) in an area named "l'Empordà". One interesting place we passed by was a big rice plantation site.

In this two hour class I had to pass on very thin roads. Enjoy!

Part 2 of 3 completed!

2008-05-06T17:30:00.005+02:00

OK, I know I have been "silent" all this time but today I bring good news.

Today, May 6, I passed my track (maneuvers) exam on my third try.

So, you'll ask me what's next? Well, something much easier. The hard stuff has been dealt with.

Next is the actual driving test, that is, on actual roads. It can be tricky too. But it's a much easier exam to deal with. I hope to do the exam this month, in about two weeks from now).

Keep tuned!

First video of my practical driving classes!

2008-03-22T05:14:00.003+01:00

A picture is worth a thousand words. If that saying is true, then a video would be much more.

My brother taped me while I was doing the driving and not long after I made all the editing of this "clip".

I hope you enjoy seeing some practices I have been doing lately!

My first practical hour

2008-03-11T03:22:00.009+01:00

Today my teacher made me drive backwards, having to maintain the long trailer on a linear direction on broad track and then made that track much narrower.
Then he made me "park" like all trucks do in truck-stops (backwards, of course) but at an angle marked by painted lines.

To describe you my first practical hour in a few words, I'll share with you a question my new teacher asked me today after some "rolling":

"Have you ever driven a car with a trailer before...?" and again "...are you sure you haven't?"

Like many of you know, I never have.

Later, he told me he liked quite a lot what he saw for my first practical hour!

In any case, I'll try to get someone to film me and post it in YouTube. More later!

Step 2: Getting practical

2008-02-26T23:41:00.007+01:00

Getting practical can only mean one thing: Getting hands on the wheel. Not only of the truck as one thing but of the trailer as well. Believe me, it's not the same to back up on a huge truck than to back up on a truck hooked up with a long trailer. It's a world apart.

That's what I'll be up to when I start learning that art on the 10th of March. You may ask: Why shouldn't I start now? Good question. The answer is: -It's all booked up until then!

Till then I can only "play" with a truck and trailer model I have which front wheels turn, giving you a good idea how the maneuvers work on a real truck. Of course, you cannot replace this to the real "hands-on" experience in the cabin; but you get a real good idea how the whole thing works.

I passed - with FLYING COLORS!

2008-02-22T01:06:00.005+01:00

I dedicate my 100% mark to my brother Ricard. He knows why!

Thanks TONS to all of you who lifted me up in prayer while I was doing the exam. I thank God for giving me the clear mind, the ability to control nerves --and for the "easy" questions! Also for moving the "circumstances" so I could have so much free time for studying before the exam.

The day after the exam I started a new job. The Lord knows each need for each circumstance!

Examination time

2008-02-20T00:42:00.007+01:00

I received an SMS from my driving school saying I have to be at the examination center on Wednesday 20 at 10:15 AM (GMT+1). The exam will have 20 questions. I can only fail two questions to pass the test. I consider myself prepared. In any case, prayers will be much appreciated!

February 20: C+E written examination!

2008-02-06T02:03:00.000+01:00

Welcome to this new blog. It has all to do with my career as a future truck driver while I'm living in Europe.
I am now studying for my C+E -that is truck+trailer. I already have my C license -that is for truck-.
On the 20th, Lord willing, I'll be examining myself on the written test for my C+E. So I'll be studying like mad. If you want to leave a comment, you'll be much welcomed to do so.