I have a dream

linsen

..... to ditch the books to mark, targets to meet and oiks to reason with and to do this:

I should like to run a bike repair place / shop / B & B

I don't mind getting up early and I would cook lovely breakfasts
Shop / repairs from 9 till 1 (winter) or 3 (summer) and then a few hours adventuring until sundown.

I don't care where, as long as there are some awesome rides to do on my doorstep.

Any of you have a dream? What's stopping us?

marksteven

money ( not enough ) mostly

DonDaddyD

"Find a job you truly love and you'll never have to work again"

I would love to open a comic book, computer game and DVD shop. I would truly love it.

Nothing is stopping me, the courage to act on my desire....

iain_j

There was a thread a few weeks ago in the Road forums about running a bike shop, and generally turning a hobby into a full-time job... several said don't go there :?

cjcp

linsen wrote:

I don't mind getting up early

One of the reasons I've always loved the idea of being a baker. But I actually quite like what I do.

2tired2ride

I would like to get into bike design, maybe designing them, but probally the CAD? I think that would be cool.

"What's stopping me?"

I should probaly should stop dreaming and finish my A-levels first!

cjcp

2tired2ride wrote:

I would like to get into bike design, maybe designing them,

A good friend of mine is doing this at the moment. Set up his own company.

prawny

I've decided I want to run a bike friendly cafe somewhere like france or italy. I've not even been out there so it's a proper pipe dream but i'd love to make really good coffee for people and live somewhere lovely sunny and hilly 8)

Edit: or be a sport/motorsport photographer I like that

iain_j

marksteven wrote:

money ( not enough ) mostly

That's my reason/excuse too. Everyone says there's more to life than money, but there's only so much you can do without it :?

cjcp

About six years ago, my wife and I decided to pack our jobs in and go travelling for a year or so. We didn't have a mortgage and no kids. It was brilliant. A decade's worth of holidays in one year. Highly recommend it.

gert_lush

Recently i have more and more been thinking i would like to do a really long bike ride, like to china or something. I really liked travelling when i went for a year when i was younger and the thought of spending months seeing loads of cool countries carrying my life on my bike and sleeping in a tent in random places is becoming more and more appealing...maybe in a few years time when i have worked out how to save money!!! :oops:

always_tyred

My dream - paperless office. Work from home. Live where I want.

It could happen.

DiggingDeeper

Time and getting priorities right is what I need to sort out.

I have an ace wife and daughter, the job I always wanted (took a long time to get there and a lot of work and some luck) big house, big car, 4 bikes - The job and money stuff is always transient I know - I was looking at a piece of paper 4 years ago with my name on it saying I was about about to be made redundant, so it can all go pear shaped very quickly.

But time to see your wider family, do fun stuff at the weekends I guess that is what I really crave. From the previous posts I guess my dream should be easiest to attain, just need to MTFU as we say here and sort it.

Faiiling that and my job goes down the pan I will try the only other job I only ever wanted to do - drive a coach (National Express, it was the Black & White coach company when my mum took me to the coach station in Cheltenham when I was in me pram)

Almost forgot - 35 minutes on the commute and get points in a Cat4 race.............just to add to the time trauma

boy on bike

I've always fancied taking up some traditional craft - such as dry stone walling. Get to live in really beautiful countryside and spend most of the time out in it!

Rich158

I thought I had the job I truly wanted, I'd worked for nearly 10 years to get where I wanted with the support of my wife and kids, who've stuck it whilst I went back to Uni. They've put up with me being in a bad mood through working to 2 in the morning on university projects, and having to get up and go to work the next day :evil:

After getting my dream job 2 years ago, and looking like I was going to work through the ranks rather quickly, I've been sitting under the threat of redundancy for the last 6 months and wondering how did it all go wrong so quickly

On a lighter note the only things that keep me sane are my bikes. I dream of spending an entire summer in Whistler riding, nailing the A line, and generaly being a gnarly old dude on a mtb. The sort of rider that everyone stops to watch I also dream of hitting 30mph on the flat on the road bike, and effortlessly holding it for mile after mile, dancing up the hills in the Fred Whitton.

More than anything I dream of retiring to the alps or whistler as a trail guide, riding all day, and kicking back in evening to talk over old times and recount stories of past glories

Littigator

I got made redundant 4 weeks ago. In 7 weeks time me and the wife are renting out the flat and moving to Kenya for 6 months to do voluntary work. We hope not to have to come back and I hope I'll be one step closer to doing an epic long ride like Cairo to Cape Town.

When people used to tell me they were doing things like this I would get all wistful and tell them how lucky they were. Now it's my turn and I can't quite believe I'm going to actually do it.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

I'm crapping meself.

Feltup

Rich158 wrote:

I thought I had the job I truly wanted, I'd worked for nearly 10 years to get where I wanted with the support of my wife and kids, who've stuck it whilst I went back to Uni. They've put up with me being in a bad mood through working to 2 in the morning on university projects, and having to get up and go to work the next day :evil:

After getting my dream job 2 years ago, and looking like I was going to work through the ranks rather quickly, I've been sitting under the threat of redundancy for the last 6 months and wondering how did it all go wrong so quickly

On a lighter note the only things that keep me sane are my bikes. I dream of spending an entire summer in Whistler riding, nailing the A line, and generaly being a gnarly old dude on a mtb. The sort of rider that everyone stops to watch I also dream of hitting 30mph on the flat on the road bike, and effortlessly holding it for mile after mile, dancing up the hills in the Fred Whitton.Dreams? Delusional more like

More than anything I dream of retiring to the alps or whistler as a trail guide, riding all day, and kicking back in evening to talk over old times and recount stories of past glories

itboffin

I had dreams once

lost_in_thought

Littigator wrote:

I got made redundant 4 weeks ago. In 7 weeks time me and the wife are renting out the flat and moving to Kenya for 6 months to do voluntary work. We hope not to have to come back and I hope I'll be one step closer to doing an epic long ride like Cairo to Cape Town.

When people used to tell me they were doing things like this I would get all wistful and tell them how lucky they were. Now it's my turn and I can't quite believe I'm going to actually do it.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

I'm crapping meself.

Litts that is v exciting! I can't say it's something I'd want to do, but kudos to you for doing it! What voluntary stuff are you doing?

I have plans rather than dreams. I guess that's because I'm pretty happy with everything right now!

always_tyred

lost_in_thought wrote:

Littigator wrote:

I got made redundant 4 weeks ago. In 7 weeks time me and the wife are renting out the flat and moving to Kenya for 6 months to do voluntary work. We hope not to have to come back and I hope I'll be one step closer to doing an epic long ride like Cairo to Cape Town.

When people used to tell me they were doing things like this I would get all wistful and tell them how lucky they were. Now it's my turn and I can't quite believe I'm going to actually do it.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

I'm crapping meself.

Litts that is v exciting! I can't say it's something I'd want to do, but kudos to you for doing it! What voluntary stuff are you doing?

I have plans rather than dreams. I guess that's because I'm pretty happy with everything right now!

My brother did something like this. He came back 3 years later in order to complain about the cold.

DonDaddyD

I think it's a wonderful sign of the times that people are returning to life enriching values/experiences, chasing life long dreams, broadening their horizons and showing a willingness to explore different cultures (Littigator that sounds truly wonderful) instead of chasing high paying jobs (though nothing is wrong with that if it's your calling - just not for me) the £ and 'things'. (Say's the man who wants - doesn't need - a new bike. I am slowly becoming the product of which I hate).

A few years ago all my friends ever talked about was doing overtime, 12 hour shifts, working at home and working weekends. They'd spend their days and free time working for a bonus so they could buy things that are now broken, old or obsolete. The sheer thought of raising a family (girls as well as guys) and whistling away free time watching children play was the most taboo subject of them all. - For me I (secretly) can't wait for that joy.

One of my most favourite moments in my life was spending my day's on a Mountain in Jamaica staying in my Great Gran/Gran's home or on my Grandad's land drinking jelly coconuts and having baths in a volcaninc spring in a place where money truly didn't matter.

Aside from owning a comic book shop (which as long as it kept me in a standard of life I was accustomed to I wouldn't be overly bothered with the money I made - I seek a different kind of gratification) I would love to live in a place where the city, a persons image and superficial social stature didn't matter. For me what truly matters is the wealth of living and depth of character.

Just saying is all.

Rich158

Feltup wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

On a lighter note the only things that keep me sane are my bikes. I dream of spending an entire summer in Whistler riding, nailing the A line, and generaly being a gnarly old dude on a mtb. The sort of rider that everyone stops to watch I also dream of hitting 30mph on the flat on the road bike, and effortlessly holding it for mile after mile, dancing up the hills in the Fred Whitton.Dreams? Delusional more like

So that's why I keep waking up in a cold sweat

il_principe

I'd just love to work in the cycling industry. To that end I am actually applying for a job as an assistant manager in a bike shop today! They say no retail experience required, just management exp. Well I have sales, management, customer service exp as well as something of a passion for cycling so I'm going for it. Doubtless it will involve a pay cut but it could be perfect, and if it's not then at least I gave it a shot. Of course I'm probably won't even get an interview but nothing ventured...

I dream of living in Italy, by a lake and within striking distance of the mountains. Perhaps running a B&B or something but I don't speak Italian and can't imagine this will ever really happen.

linsen

I just think no matter my plans / money situation / encumbrances it is important to keep hold of the dreams.

It doesn't mean that they will all happen, and I am certain it doesn't mean we should be discontent with what we have, but to stop aspiring is to stop living in some way.

I am a funny mix between highly practical and head in the clouds.......

don_don

DonDaddyD wrote:

The sheer thought of raising a family (girls as well as guys) and whistling away free time watching children play was the most taboo subject of them all. - For me I (secretly) can't wait for that joy.

That's a good point, since children will completely and utterly change your outlook on what you can do with your life.

I get an immense amount of joy from my two girls, but there is no doubt that they put certain restrictions on my life. B*ggering off to Canada for 2 years (was a plan until I met my current wife) now isn't really a practial option.

I don't see any point in having regrets, but I definitely think that its worth doing all the 'big' things you plan in life before having children! Having said that, there are plenty of people who take theirs off round the world at an early age, it just wouldn't suit my life / career right now.

I'm happy with my lot right now, but I'm quite looking forward to when the kids are old enough to look after themselves. I'll settle for 3 months in Canada then

DonDaddyD

don_don wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

The sheer thought of raising a family (girls as well as guys) and whistling away free time watching children play was the most taboo subject of them all. - For me I (secretly) can't wait for that joy.

That's a good point, since children will completely and utterly change your outlook on what you can do with your life.

I get an immense amount of joy from my two girls, but there is no doubt that they put certain restrictions on my life. B*ggering off to Canada for 2 years (was a plan until I met my current wife) now isn't really a practial option.

I don't see any point in having regrets, but I definitely think that its worth doing all the 'big' things you plan in life before having children! Having said that, there are plenty of people who take theirs off round the world at an early age, it just wouldn't suit my life / career right now.

I'm happy with my lot right now, but I'm quite looking forward to when the kids are old enough to look after themselves. I'll settle for 3 months in Canada then

I wasn't even looking at it that way, but it's a very valid point.

My perspective was:

A friend of mine (girl) is a workaholicm her free time isn't spent travelling or anything its mostly spent working in her job and if she isn't working she is normally putting up a fence or working on her house or something. That's her, that's fine. But any conversation about children and she just has a general dislike towards the idea of them - ' they'll put too much restriction on her life...' What life? All she does is work.

linsen

DonDaddyD wrote:

don_don wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

The sheer thought of raising a family (girls as well as guys) and whistling away free time watching children play was the most taboo subject of them all. - For me I (secretly) can't wait for that joy.

That's a good point, since children will completely and utterly change your outlook on what you can do with your life.

I get an immense amount of joy from my two girls, but there is no doubt that they put certain restrictions on my life. B*ggering off to Canada for 2 years (was a plan until I met my current wife) now isn't really a practial option.

I don't see any point in having regrets, but I definitely think that its worth doing all the 'big' things you plan in life before having children! Having said that, there are plenty of people who take theirs off round the world at an early age, it just wouldn't suit my life / career right now.

I'm happy with my lot right now, but I'm quite looking forward to when the kids are old enough to look after themselves. I'll settle for 3 months in Canada then

I wasn't even looking at it that way, but it's a very valid point.

My perspective was:

A friend of mine (girl) is a workaholicm her free time isn't spent travelling or anything its mostly spent working in her job and if she isn't working she is normally putting up a fence or working on her house or something. That's her, that's fine. But any conversation about children and she just has a general dislike towards the idea of them - ' they'll put too much restriction on her life...' What life? All she does is work.

Children do indeed restrict your life hugely for a while
I had mine relatively young, so I will be 45 when the last one legally becomes an adult (9 years or so to go)
Freedom is beckoning me and I have huge dreams about what I will do every August if I stay in teaching.
They grow up so quickly - the first 5 years was a drag, but after that it just flies by

don_don

DonDaddyD wrote:

What life? All she does is work.

Some people have strange priorities its true. I wonder how she'll feel in 10 years time..

DonDaddyD

linsen wrote:

Children do indeed restrict your life hugely for a while
I had mine relatively young, so I will be 45 when the last one legally becomes an adult (9 years or so to go)
Freedom is beckoning me and I have huge dreams about what I will do every August if I stay in teaching.
They grow up so quickly - the first 5 years was a drag, but after that it just flies by

The ironic thing is that arguably - excluding the extremes of salary - all my friends (me included) children or not probably won't have the disposable incomes or savings to really enjoy ourselves until we are in our mid 30's - 40's. Same were true for my Father's generation (mid 40's) he has by far more fun with his money now than he ever did (when he as younger and benefitting from the telecommunications/IT boom) and even his friends who have no kids enjoy their wealth now far more than when they were younger.

Could be a envy towards the road not taken - despite the outcome being relatively the same.

don_don

linsen wrote:

Children do indeed restrict your life hugely for a while
I had mine relatively young, so I will be 45 when the last one legally becomes an adult (9 years or so to go)
Freedom is beckoning me and I have huge dreams about what I will do every August if I stay in teaching.
They grow up so quickly - the first 5 years was a drag, but after that it just flies by

That's the other side of it isn't it? Do you have children early and the freedom later, or do it the other way round? I'll be 60 when my youngest reaches 18!

Meanwhile, all the non-parents on the forum are going :roll: and thinking "Oh shut-up and get your slippers granddad"!

DonDaddyD

don_don wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

What life? All she does is work.

Some people have strange priorities its true. I wonder how she'll feel in 10 years time..

Have to wait and see I guess, though I fear I may be too busy with my kids to remember...