Getting time off work?

[Monk]

I'm new to all of this as I will be doing my first tour this summer from chicago to maine.  I'm 24 years old and I am currently working 2 jobs (shoe store/restaurant) to help pay for the trip, however I doubt if they are willing to let me take the time off to do the trip.   How have some of you convinced your work to let you do the ride, or do you just quit and do it anyway?  What kind of jobs do you have to take the time off? Should I give them a 2week notice about my trip, or should it be more/less notice than that? I could handle quitting the shoe store if it comes to it, and I feel the restaurant will have me back when I return, however I hope have a more secure job once I return from the trip. I will quit if it comes to it because this can be a life changing event for me and my friend. Just curious as to how to handle this dilemma.  Thanks

[johnsondasw]

I am a high school math teacher, and after getting my Masters degree I was done with summer school and therefore have had time off to bike, hike and climb.  I love teaching, but frankly, one of the reasons I went into it was so I could have more time off to be with my family and go on adventures.  I wil retire in four months now and have had lots of practice filling my time with activities.  I've been biking for 50 years and hiking and climbing for 40. 

Most people I know who do have these kinds of lifestyles have jobs where they have some control over their time--teachers, construction workers, etc.  However, some have situations where they have good relationships with their bosses and are allowed to take long times off even from jobs with more traditional schedules.

[dubovsmj]

i do travel nursing, with
 each assignment lasting 13 weeks and i usually take a month or two off between each assignment for bike touring, fishing, etc, etc.  so i've found the travel nursing  to be great esp for my always restless age of 25.

two week notice is usually the polite thing to do...esp if there's chance you'd like for them to rehire you...or to write a good recommendation for your future jobs.

not sure if  you work for a chain restaurant or a local place, but maybe you could work some deal wtih them or ask? just tossin some random thoughts out there.

[Macbeth]

Having a good relationship with the people you work for is really the key if you want to take time off and have a job waiting for you when you get back....

Fortunately i work in a bicycle shop and am encouraged to take time off to go riding....

[tonythomson]

Hi Monk
QUIT I've travelled all my life and each time I quit my job which meant the only restriction I had was the amount of money in the bank.  However, every time I returned I always got a better job!  The trick is to try and become the best you can at your chosen career, get a good reputation and try to become the hardest worker in your establishment, they'll have you back.

My other strategy was to make sure I had the sort of job that everyone wanted, at 36 I went to University and trained to be a Social Worker, invested in property and that now pays for me to indulge myself in cycling as much as I want.  It aint easy but if you have a dream go get it.

Setting off up the Atlantic coast plus in April, 3 to 4 months.  Still get excited after all this time.

Good luck

[paddleboy17]

I am an engineer with a wife and family to support.  So I am more limited in terms of what commitments I make.  Not all of us can quit our jobs everytime we want to get away.

During the conventional biking season, I do a weekend tour a month, and a week long tour at some point during the summer.

This is the best I can manage, with a wife and 4 college aged kids depending on me.

I am sure there is some middle ground for you, probably closer to quitting if you cannot get time off.

[tonythomson]

I assume that Monk is single as he said that he considers quitting both his jobs.  It was when I was single I would work 24/ until I had enough money to travel.  Of course it's a different ball game when children are involved. 
I was only saying what has worked for me but want to add that after my daughter was born and until she finished nursing training my travelling was on hold.  Now I'm retired she runs my business and earns money for me to travel as much as I like  I also appreciate just how lucky I am.