Work getting in the way

[F70100]

Work getting in the way of cycling plus many other things. The last 2 to 3 years have been very heavy at work with lots of time away. Finally burnt out at the end of last year and am just getting back into the swing onto a part-time contract. Plan is to do 80% for another 18 months or so then drop to 65% and maybe even 50% in the run up to retirement.

My extra day off each week is perfect for riding; working for a living is an overrated concept!!

 

[Broadside]

If you really wanted to ride, you would find the time.

When I am away with work (which happens a fair bit) I put my bike in the back of the car, cover it with a blanket so it doesn't get nicked from the hotel car park overnight and then go for a ride wherever I end up. I am away at the moment and did a ride around Herts and Beds last night, never been in this area before but now know a bit more about it :-). I plan a route on my Garmin and let it lead the way, complete freedom and I didn't have a clue where I was on my 40 mile ride after work last night!!

 

[Cuchilo]

I jacked in full time work ten years ago and bought my own little self employed business so that i can take days off,or work half days so that i can cycle whenever i want. I'm earning less now than i did ten years ago, but working half the hours. I've seen too many people die in their prime,and too many people have their houses taken off them to pay for their care in later years. Working long hours and having savings doesn't give you a guarantee of a happy future.

I " tried " to do the same . I did years of site carpentry then onto office refurbs and night clubs . Over the years I bought machines at very good prices and built up my own joinery workshop . The plan was to supply period features / windows and doors that people cant buy off the shelf . I can do what I need to do and then the rest of the day is mine . The plan worked really well for about five years but now I seem to be working my ass off again .

 

[Mark White]

the wife seems to think riding to work is enough!

I've not got that far with my wife yet. There have been rumblings of "maybe I'll get a bike" but I not sure if it will happen

Roll on about 10 more years when the kids are in their teens and ignore dear old dad !

I'm not sure if a teenager is going to be easier to live with than a happy 6 year old, but I'm sure it will be different

 

[Effyb4]

Teenagers are much easier to live with ime. Three small boys=hard work. Three teenage boys - they pretty much do their own thing and don't mind when I want to get out for the day on my own. Sometimes they even want to keep me company on a ride.

 

[Mark White]

Teenagers are much easier to live with ime.

Time will tell then I guess. Still, another few years before I get to find out for myself

 

[alans]

Since January this year I work three days a week but still struggle sometimes to find ride-time.

 

[buggi]

My job occasionally allows me to get out on work time. Yesterday i spent the morning training some cyclists, which included classroom training (hazard perception) and then practical training on the road. The downside is i then have to return to my desk after and do my day job which is most depressing. Its not that i dislike my job, its just its much nicer to be out whizzing around on my bike teaching the importance of primary position

 

[Deleted member 1258]

It didn't when I was younger, but now I'm in my 60's it can do. I'm order picking in a busy warehouse, when its very busy I can get knackered enough for it to affect my cycling, missing turbo sessions in the winter, its no good trying to train when your knackered before you start, having some slow Sunday rides because I've not recovered from the weeks work, now I've got a car I'm in the habit of commuting by car on Fridays to help the weekend rides.

 

[Boyfrom64]

My own experience with my two daughters and growing up is that once they became teenagers they still required a lot of my time the reason just changed - I became there personal taxi. However, once they reached 17 I got them learning to drive and now that they have both passed their test's they are self sufficient and less demanding on my time.
@F70100 you are so right, working is so over rated but unless I decide to rob a bank; that's never going to happen, or I win the lottery; not much chance of that happening, then I have no choice but to continue going to work.

 

[Banjo]

Am I on my own or do others find that all too often work gets in the way of getting out on your bike?

My job means I travel somewhere in the region of 30,000 miles a year and currently I am managing a project that will go right through the summer and in to autumn; October to be exact. Not only is the project increasing the miles I have to drive but the hours I am working every day; net result I am only able to get out on my bike once a week at the weekend and it is starting to p*ss me right off

how about a folder you can throw in the boot and "escape" for an hour during the working day?

 

[Boyfrom64]

@Banjo that is something I had not thought about and I certainly like your idea, many thanks.