Today, I start my first real job in over six months.
I’ve been enjoying the riding a bike full time, blogging, spending ALL of my savings and living like a bum for so long, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to ‘touch base’, ‘win, win’ and speak like a sales knob.
My mini/temporary retirement over the past few months has been a breath of fresh air and my insanity has certainly been sandbagged at least for another couple of years.
Sadly, there comes a day when bills, food and clothing need to be paid for with something other than sexual favours and begging.
The Precious Resource – Time
During my stint with an abundance of time, I quickly discovered that escaping the daily grind temporary or otherwise doesn’t equate to more time on the bike.
I struggled to get out of bed for the early rides – admittedly mostly through winter but overall I procrastinated more frequently in general. The thing is, if there’s no impending eight hour grind bearing down, the tendency to stay in bed and ride later becomes more prevalent.
This mentality soon became a habit and one that I couldn’t shake. I found myself riding late afternoon most days because I’d skipped the morning bunch ride. I found I was cramming rides in – mainly through guilt so I didn’t skip a day.
That cycle is hard to break.
Now that I’m working again, riding with the 6am bunch is a must. If I miss it, I’m one day closer to getting dropped in my next race. Apart from the money – glorious money, I personally manage my time more effectively when working a normal day job.
Time management becomes a massive factor from here on in. But that’s a good thing. Anyone who has worked from home will know exactly what I’m talking about.
More often than not, self employed peeps working home businesses get nowhere near the same productivity they once had in the office. Distractions are in abundance with children, TV, Internet, gardening- all bidding for a piece of the action.
In 2007, I raced the Bussleton Ironman, my first and only year of triathlon. I worked a full time job and still found time to fit 180km bike rides and 30km runs in.
It was the fittest I’d ever been – I had way less time than I do now.
Conclusion
If you think retiring, not working or doing nothing but riding your bike is all beer and skittles – think again. You’re in lala land if you think you’re suddenly gonna get massive kilometers in on the bike.
Work or other life commitments, force you to manage your time more effectively.
You’ll be a better bike rider because of this reason alone.
I would recommend to anyone thinking about doing nothing to think again. Working, studying, writing a blog, creating art among millions of other activities are all going to keep you balanced and well rounded. They’ll keep you on track mentally and spiritually whilst the cycling will keep you physically in tune.
What are your experiences with being a full time cyclist?
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