Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Circle of Life
Topic Started: Oct 10 2012, 05:19 PM (515 Views)
robbo167
Bog Monster

Bear with me .....
Picture this....you are 50+ years old,married 25 yrs,children grown up,pretty cushy job with all the benefits of working for a major german car maker,final salary pension etc,...and after years of scrimping around have finally paid off the mortgage.......BUT...theres something missing......

Would you (A) Buy a shiney red sports car ?

(B) Buy a top drawer Road Bike ?

© Buy a caravan/motorhome?

(D) Buy a blinged up MTB?

(E) Go on lots of exotic holidays?

(F) Give up the job+ benefits,take a massive paycut and do what you

really want to do?

(G) Build an extension and fill it with more c*** ?


Well........... for me it was option (F)......which is why I am lucky enough to be now working fulltime for UKCE Cycling events,the company that brings you the Wiggle Super Series (amongst many others)....its long ,hard work but very,very satisfying to be part of the team that brings enjoyable events to so many riders....and yes,I do get paid to ride my bike!!!!

I guess for us older guys comes the realisation that Hey! maybe I havent got that long left, do I really need more money/stuff? and you start to see things a bit differently.....for you younger guys just starting out on the path of life(or stuck somewhere in the middle of it) just keep going,it does get better...this could be you in the future!

The trick is not to think to hard about things,just do it.....it will probably turn out all right...if not , Hey Ho,onto the next thing.

That is all.


Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ming the Merciless
Member Avatar
Overlord of all Known Sheds!
Bloody well done, follow your dream and sometimes I think it's best just to shut your eyes and jump!

Gives a fellow wage slave something to dream about!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rob DuPre
Liberally Covered
Thats great , but do you think i should enter the South Downs 100 sportive?

Never ridden more than 40 miles on tarmac
Never ridden a sportive
Never ridden in a pack/group/peleton

Advantages.-
3 food + water stops
No stupid map reading
you in a rescue van to collect my broken body and deliver me back to my car in the event of a dnf

Disadvantages
Lycra ..uuuurrrrrhhhhh .......'shudders'
its 100 miles
there is no where to hide out on the road
my road bike is 52/42 and there are hills in the way.

and its October so its probably going to rain sideways all day.

How are the ribs ?

My hands are still not right ,Ulnar nerve + carpel tunnel issues.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Nero
Mud Lover
Robin, I had heard of your change of direction, but it's great to hear how much you are enjoying it, long may it continue!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
guy
Member Avatar
Mudking
Just like his cycling, Robin takes the unorthodox route through life :)

Sounds like a very wise choice, good for you...it's taken me 17 years of work to (almost) stop worrying about work but I still seem to find myself suffering from stress and insomnia.

Oh, and as for that sportive...Rob, go on, you know you want to.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
robbo167
Bog Monster


Rob..there are 3 routes on offer,Epic ,Standard and Fun.......why not have a go at the Standard ride..76 miles.. cuts out a couple of big hills,right up your street.
This event is on course to sell out so dont hang about!
You dont have to ride in a group,after the first feedstation the riders thin out a lot,you find yourself yo-yoing between individuals rather than groups.
Shoulder blades still painful,cant ride a road bike for long before it gets to much,but it is improving ,thanks.
Hope your hand recovers soon,I guess time is the only healer!


Thanks Guys!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
darth vader
Member Avatar
Mudking
good move respect
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rich_F
Member Avatar
Mudthing
Robbo

fantastic news!

Really pleased for you and a great example of taking the big jump :)

Would love to know more about your decision to make the leap - and thinking about maybe a blog article?

if you don't want to type maybe I could do interview and publish the transcript? Juts a thought :)

Thanks

R
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
woodsman
Bog Monster
Interetsing! Well done Rob and long may your happiness continue.

I think I've been some where hovering around the 'F' option for some time now. A part time job that's interesting or just fun would be my next step - if I could find one.......any suggestions?

:)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
belugabob
Member Avatar
Mudking
Robin,

Was it the free Ovaltine that swung the decision? ;)

Seriously though, I totally get the change in focus as you get older - definitely falling into the 'get out there and enjoy life' category myself.

Good to hear that your injuries are healing too.

Bob
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rob DuPre
Liberally Covered
Robin

I took your advice and entered the 72 miler.

I then went on Ebay and bought a 11 - 27 cassette to replace the 14 - 23 to give me a wider range of gears.

7 hours I reckon , 6 hrs rolling plus 4 x 15 min stops .

I will not be attending if the weather is anything like today, not a chance.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
rayb
Lightly Sprinkled
Hi robin

That's quite a change, hope all is going well. Being on the younger side of the scale we to had a change of life, we relocated and now live in the not so sunny but ever such a bit cold north Wales. It's true life does get better and it's a fantastic place to live.
So when muddy@rse is next over the border I shall drop by and say hello.

Ray
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
robbo167
Bog Monster

Well done Ray..hope you and your family are enjoying things and make sure you get some time to ride!!

Ray was one of the regular Pathfinder Night riders up at Whiteways,always up for it even when raining very,very hard!!

Good luck and maybe see you soon....remember,once a Muddy@rser,always a Muddy@rser!!!

Robin
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SugarHigh
Member Avatar
Liberally Covered
I want a job at wiggle! :(
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dave le Trek
Member Avatar
Mud Lover
Robin
After getting to know you and spend many hours riding so many different parts of England, Wales and Scotland over the last 4 years, i cannot think of anyone better suited to the position and industry you have moved to.

The very best to you in your awesome new adventure...and you might just see me on one your rides in the near future.

DLT.... :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rich_F
Member Avatar
Mudthing
Dave - seconded!

Mad idea - how about we have a mass MA attendance at one of Robin's events?

R
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
darth vader
Member Avatar
Mudking
Did the Dorking one ad the Hampshire oe this year dispite the weather they were good fun


Would advise really early booking to get advantage of the fuel pack

or take your chances and leave it late so you can chop out if the weather looks bad
but they do get well attended so late booking is a risk

Also the new forrest is a good one ,Something a bit different
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dave le Trek
Member Avatar
Mud Lover
Rich.


HELL YEAH........loads of muddy@'ers...on road bikes....i can hear Robin now....

OMG.....what have i done....lol... :lol:

lets do it...im in...are you..anyone up for 100 miles of leg breaking..lung busting fun..only takes 5-6 hours......??

DLT..... :D
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rob DuPre
Liberally Covered
I did the South Downs sportive , twas ok in a constant grey kind of way.

72 miles | 5hr 18 min

Didnt see Robin as he was out on course that day .

Much prefer off road, but its all biking so ok in my book
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bunnyflop
Mudking
@Robbo - can we have a link to the company you're working for in case anyone wants to join one of the rides ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Create your own social network with a free forum.
Learn More · Register for Free
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Muddyarse · Next Topic »
Add Reply