Jobs and Working

I've been reading some of the interesting threads in this section of the forum, and I'm quite curious... how do you make time for long, multi-week tours? I'm curious what profession many of you have if you have this kind of flexibility!

It certainly makes me want to quit my current job though.

Thanks.

-Bullseye

...or just use your vacation days for a long bike tour

In the summer months it works out well enough at my job(livestock farming) to have one of my highschool friends temp while I'm out.
Sadly, I don't get paid for that time.

I used to work a corporate job with all the benefits, 401k, etc that also allowed six weeks vacations, but they would never allow me to take more than five days in a row off or we would "fall behind". So, for eight years, the comp time built up and grew I more miserable.

Then, after my first 6 week tour in Spain, I made the decision to leave the security and bondage of that career and became an independent consultant. It's much more work generating an income and no benefits or security but I now work when I chose and have toured every year for the past five.

Unless you have a good employer that give generous time off or lets your take sabatical time, the only way I see you can take a long tour, like the PanAm, is to work for yourself or chose a career like teaching or farming that has seasonal down time.

I wish the USA had more employers that would allow their valued employees to take sabatical or hiatus time but this country is so screwed up in our life values. We place work and money and consuming over experiencing life and the world. Plus, we have the attention span of a gnat.

CaptN Willard

My longest ride was 2 months in duration between jobs. The company I worked for dissolved and a 3-month "package" came with the layoff. It was quite cheap to solo bikepack, so I banked most of the severance and paid the rent with it. Don't use your retirement, even though you may have the option to pull it out. You'll need this down the road for your "senior tour."

If a long tour one day suits you, buy a bike capable of touring now. Ride it on weekend trips and training rides. Take a week up on the Blue Ridge Pwy. or a portion of one of the Adventure Cycling routes. Then, when the situation really presents itself you're not altogether unfamiliar with what it takes to propel you, your bike and gear toward the adventure of a lifetime. And you will be rewarded with the greatest sense of freedom you've ever experienced.

I'm leaving to do a training ride now...

Teaching. Can't beat that summer vacation time. It makes all the hardships of the daily classroom with 30 plus kids worth it.

Sarah

I am getting ready to ride across america, and was wondering if anyone could help with some sort of expense report? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, jack

DO IT!

-I'm giving a month's notice in two weeks to tour/travel/explore for 6 months to a year.

I've just started teaching again and am looking forward to summers for just this reason. I was hoping to do the TransAm tour this summer, but our summer break's just over two months...not enough to do the whole route.

On a related topic, I'm about to get a new bike and the riding I do is for fun, fitness, and eventually, to do some tours. Is an ordinary road bike sufficient or should I buy a touring bike? I really want one of each, but on a teacher's pay... well, you know.

Locally I normally ride alone, but do like to do occasional group rides, which makes me lean towards a regular road bike. But then if I do a tour, will I regret not having a touring bike?