Seven weeks from now I will be retired and I can start to realise some dreams. Or will they be nightmares? I have been made redundant but had planned to leave around now so the timing is good for me. At just 51 I am young enough to have a few years in me and I believe, hope, that I have sufficient funding. I should be fine. First really big target is the Great Divide a mountainbike route between Banff, Canada, to Antelope Wells on the Mexican / USA border. Race or tour? Not decided. Lets see how it goes.
Seven weeks
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 14:21
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Aluminium can 42 minutes ago
I recently replaced the two gear cables and two brake cables on my wife's 20 year old bike in about 20 minutes. It takes me all afternoon to bleed the brakes on my bike. While the new bikes are nicer to ride, they are are total PITA to service. That's progress.
Mr Blackbird 3 hours ago
I have significant evidence that Spalding feels pretty wanky. It needs to be banned without delay.
ktache 4 hours ago
@mark1a there must be something new, perhaps featuring in some pictures? I'm thinking of getting an absolute black 4 piston press. But I also wouldn't mind something for using on a single piston, for cleaning and working in lube when servicing that's far quicker, with a squeezey lever. Any suggestions? The frame repair and new front mudguard stays make access difficult with the wedge of the park pp1.2.
andystow 5 hours ago
@Chris RideFar it can't be worse than volunteering at the bike co-op.
Chris RideFar 5 hours ago
@Paul J Thanks, I totally agree, and I'm going to be reviewing my rates along with many other aspects over the winter season. The first 4 years after going solo were gradual growth or stable (I had 10 yrs prior experience working in larger shops); I'm not sure why things exploded over the past 6 months, probably various factors.
Chris RideFar 6 hours ago
@andystow Don't forget that you have to deal with the clients as well as their bikes (most of whom are fine, but it's an aspect to the job that most people don't consider). Plus, people will generally come to you with the problems that they can't fix themselves, so there's rarely an easy/straightforward job; with the crazy ideas the product designers have these days, there are a lot of frustrations and lost time.
andystow 6 hours ago
@Chris RideFar I'll be tempted to do this once I retire. As long as I make beer money and it doesn't take all my time, I'd enjoy doing it.
ktache 6 hours ago
@Smoggysteve I'm on over 25 years with my Joe blow deluxe, I've always rated topeak for inflation.
swagman 7 hours ago
I bet a fiver this costs less than a fiver to be manufactured
perce 7 hours ago
@Smoggysteve Same here, mine never seemed to work properly. Ended up buying a cheap one from Wilko which has lasted years.
4 thoughts on “Seven weeks”
Best of luck Blackhound, a
Best of luck Blackhound, a world of riding awaits!
I am in the same situation
I am in the same situation Blackhound, although not quite retired, I was made redundant about 6 weeks ago, but I’m fairly financially stable (no mortgage or debts), so I’m aiming to get into the bike industry, but am finding it hard to be in a great rush.
We’ll have to get together for that ride we talked about last year, before I end up finding myself employment. Early retirement is calling me, but at 45 it may be just a bit too early.
My best mate is yearning to do the Great Divide too, he did the Cape Epic a few years ago (before they made it easy he likes to point out!), and thinks this is his next big one, so best of luck if you do decide to do it.
Kevin, is that you ?
If not
Kevin, is that you ?
If not then never mind :-0
if it is well
how much of a coincidence !
I’m being made redundant at some point in the next year and intending to take a year off, Great Divide is top of my list, followed by a very wiggly LEJOG, and then looking for work
If things work out I’m looking to go at the end of April next year, hopefully see you on the trail 🙂
I’m in exactly the opposite
I’m in exactly the opposite position. After being made redundant last year I took full advantage of the extra free time I had by riding at every opportunity – mainly to prepare for this summer’s Race Against Time LEJOG, which was one of the best experiences of my life.
Now, perhaps partly because I spent a little too much time cycling and not enough earning money, I’m contemplating a sheepish return to the job market and an almost inevitable falling away of cycling opportunities. Ah well, no regrets…I wouldn’t have swapped this last year for anything.