Author Topic: Day Jobs?  (Read 18033 times)

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Offline cheesehawk

Re: Day Jobs?
« Reply #15 on: November 06, 2013, 02:04:38 pm »
I was thinking about getting into a bicycling related industry where they may encourage you to take trips like this.  Is there anybody here that work for such industry or company that can provide some insight? 
~Johnny

I don't, but my brother worked for Trek for years. Unfortunately, I would NOT assume that being in the bicycle industry would lead to long tours.

I'm in the same boat as you. I've been at my current job for four years and just broached the topic of unpaid leave with my current boss (I'm in government) as a way to free up money in his budget. I don't know if it will work. The other strategy I've considered is setting my career on a path where I would be in positions that are viewed as short-term, creating the opportunity for breaks of a few months in between. I MIGHT be able to make this work for me, but for most people it is probably too risky.

As paddleboy suggests, it is all about your life situation. As you alluded to though, if you are willing and able to cut your expenses (or if you are lucky enough to have accumulated the assets) the amount of risk you can tolerate goes up appreciably. There are many who choose to live with less.

Good luck.

Offline John Nelson

Re: Day Jobs?
« Reply #16 on: November 06, 2013, 03:12:21 pm »
I would NOT assume that being in the bicycle industry would lead to long tours.
+1

In fact, I would assume that being in the bicycle industry would lead to you being too broke most of the time to take long tours. If you want to take long tours, it might be best to get the highest-paying job you can find and save as much of your paycheck as possible. When you've saved up enough, quit if you have to.

Offline zzzz

Re: Day Jobs?
« Reply #17 on: November 06, 2013, 06:13:41 pm »
On my trip in September while passing thru the town of Wisdom Mo. I came across a guy named Tim Travis. He told me he had been on the road for a long time (7 years? 11 years?), I can't remember exactly. He finances himself by the three travel books he's written and sells through his web site.

The previous response reminds me of a lot of people who participate in my other hobby, having a car you take to the track. It's really a money hole. I think 1/2 the folks who do it hate their jobs but they stay there because they are paid really well and it allows them to do what they love.

Choices,choices.

pm

Offline John Nelson

Re: Day Jobs?
« Reply #18 on: November 06, 2013, 07:52:59 pm »
I came across a guy named Tim Travis.
Tim's famous. He's been on the road so long that I think everybody has run into him.

Offline cheesehawk

Re: Day Jobs?
« Reply #19 on: November 06, 2013, 09:28:54 pm »
Tim signed a book for me at the Hilly Hundred a few years back. I bounced him an e-mail last year picking his brain a little. The idea of touring three months a year for the rest of my life really appeals to me. Beyond that, I think I need something else.