We have all... the time... in the world
lost_in_thought
Posts: 10,563
So...
I've been made redundant, don't worry, I'm not really counting it as a bad thing.
As a result of that, I'm in the office for the rest of this week, then on Garden Leave until the 20th of October.
Now, I haven't had nothing to do for 3 months since I was at school, and I reckon cycling will feature heavily in whatever I decide to do with myself.
So, I'm going on the SCR trip in late August, but other than that any suggestions? What would you do in my situation?
I've been made redundant, don't worry, I'm not really counting it as a bad thing.
As a result of that, I'm in the office for the rest of this week, then on Garden Leave until the 20th of October.
Now, I haven't had nothing to do for 3 months since I was at school, and I reckon cycling will feature heavily in whatever I decide to do with myself.
So, I'm going on the SCR trip in late August, but other than that any suggestions? What would you do in my situation?
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Comments
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Four words: Alps. Dolomites. Pyrenees. Go.
You have the rest of your life to work.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
That's rotten luck, but hey more time to spend with the Viner
If it was me I'd have 50 hilly miles each morning before breakfast, and then a gentle pootle in the afternoon. For lunch I'd taunt us poor sods still working ITB style by posting pics of your adventures in the ride reports
pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................
Revised FCN - 20 -
I'd go ride mountain bikes places
Alps would be pretty damn tempting.0 -
What would you do in my situation?
Since I *am* in your situation, also being on garden leave.... and i got made redundant last year too so I'm quite skilled in finding things to do with my time off...
First, start looking for a new job ! It can take longer than you'd think.
Then....well, I have a (share in) a yacht, so I'm going sailing for 2 weeks. Then I'm going to America for 2 weeks. I want to cycle the South Downs Way (yayy MTB!). I'm half tempted to go to Paris this weekend to watch the end of that wee bike race that's going on over there. I have two bicycle projects that deserve some time spending on them. And, of course, a shiny new road bike that needs many, many miles putting on it.
Redundancy rocks! (for a while)
8)Misguided Idealist0 -
1. Get some decent touring gear (and possibly also a touring frame which you can build up with the bits from your Tifosi).
2. Book a ferry passage across the channel.
3. Go off in search of breathtaking views, wonderful food and some good mountain passes.David
Engineered Bicycles0 -
Lands end to John O'Groats! Take your time, see what there is to see!0
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Ah well the email phone being cut off was a bit of a hint wasn't it!
Serious stuff
get more experince/qualifications while the wages are still there.
Fun
sportives? TT's mountain biking? Hang gliding? (there are few clubs nr Talgarth) and other seaze the moment type stuff0 -
get to bordeux with or with out a bike...if without...then find a bike and cycle down the canal de Garonne, joining the canal du midi all the way to sete on teh med coast.
I doubt you will want to come home...
Jas
edit: mercsport on this forum has the same idea!
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12637644it looks a bit steep to me.....0 -
You lucky sod! I know that's not the usual response but I'd love to be in your position! So yeah, get on the bike and get thee to Europe. By the time Oct come around I'm sure the economy will have picked up anywho. Actually I've just remembered that you have job plans in place!
So yeah if I was you it'd be the Alps with the bike and then off to NZ for cycling and wine drinking & then a beach holiday somewhere warm and chavless.
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Wow. 3 months paid leave to look for another job. Result (looking on the +ve side of things!)
Get looking first and start that process, then you can relax more when you have no interviews to go to...
If it was me - I'd be phoning up mates in various parts of the country where there are cycle routes and visiting....Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
2011 Trek Madone 4.5
2012 Felt F65X
Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter0 -
Some good ideas in there!
I particularly like the NZ idea, I've never been there, always intended to... and I have a LOT of air miles.
As for touring in France, another good idea, the Tifosi maintians that it is a tourer, all I'd need is a few bits (god knows what) and I'd be off.
And yes, I do realise that, despite the pending unemployment that goes with this, I'm a lucky girl.0 -
lost_in_thought wrote:I particularly like the NZ idea, I've never been there, always intended to... and I have a LOT of air miles.
A chap on here (Mike?) is doing this, I think. It was in a recent thread. Off to the Caitlins, I think.
South Island is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the North Island. I spent four weeks on the South Island, so just ask if you want any info. Bottom line though: bl00dy ace.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
Sorry to hear about your redundancy - And I love your attitude of "one door closed, new door opened"
If you have the cash then probably worth getting away for a while!! Personally, I would go camping around Europe (southern) and just see where I get too....
With your gardeining leave, I guess you are not allowed to get another job in the same industry anyway! I know I would be banned!!
Go and enjoy yourself!!0 -
Il Principe wrote:off to NZ for cycling and wine drinking
NZ's wonderful but it's winter at the moment and unfortunately not the best time to visit, especially the South Island which gets rather colder than the north. Not saying not to do it, but my mum is saying it's a cold winter there this year
France has to be worth a go - I was in Provence a few weeks ago and thought it'd be bloody marvellous to cycle through. Stinking hot, too!0 -
Sorry to hear about the job but I appears you're not down about it. I've been redundant twice and had great fun each time.
As Keiran said, start the job search (get your CV updated register with a few online agencies(you can check these by PC while you're away).
Get to France - head in a generally southerly direction.
Simples (as they say in the advert)
-Spider-0 -
jamesco wrote:Il Principe wrote:off to NZ for cycling and wine drinking
NZ's wonderful but it's winter at the moment and unfortunately not the best time to visit, especially the South Island which gets rather colder than the north. Not saying not to do it, but my mum is saying it's a cold winter there this year
Aaaah, is that what your accent was! I was having trouble placing it...
Olivia, you lucky sod. Come meet me for lunch one day
(also I concede defeat in our little SC Stats battle. This is the equivalent of losing to an RLJer, though, so I don't feel too bad ) 0 -
cjcp wrote:lost_in_thought wrote:I particularly like the NZ idea, I've never been there, always intended to... and I have a LOT of air miles.
A chap on here (Mike?) is doing this, I think. It was in a recent thread. Off to the Caitlins, I think.
South Island is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the North Island. I spent four weeks on the South Island, so just ask if you want any info. Bottom line though: bl00dy ace.
Interesting!
I'm aware that it is winter in NZ, just as it is in oz where most of my family are from. What I don't know is just how wintry winter gets! I know that in Canberra 'cold' is about 15 degrees in the day, and down as low as 5 at night, which would be fine.
I like the idea of France, with the minor qualifier that I'd rather go somewhere a bit more exotic. What about America?0 -
I'd never have the testicular-fortitude to do this but why don't you:
Pack your passport, money, phone, cards, spare parts and a few change of clothes.
Point your bike in a direction and see where the wind takes you. Buy whatever you need along the way.
- OK so crap suggestion, forgive me, I'm still charged on guitar thrashing energy and feeling my most 'Lord of the Flies' free-spirited...Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game0 -
biondino wrote:
Olivia, you lucky sod. Come meet me for lunch one day
(also I concede defeat in our little SC Stats battle. This is the equivalent of losing to an RLJer, though, so I don't feel too bad )
Bwahahahaaaaaa I will destroy you (in SC Stats)
Yeah, I'll drop you a line. Until I figure something out I'll be around!0 -
lost_in_thought wrote:I like the idea of France, with the minor qualifier that I'd rather go somewhere a bit more exotic. What about America?
NZ winter gets cold. But it's a temperate climate, so a bit like here, unlike you head into the Southern Alps.
America is great to travel round, but not so much by bike. Drivers are too cr@p.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
cjcp wrote:lost_in_thought wrote:I like the idea of France, with the minor qualifier that I'd rather go somewhere a bit more exotic. What about America?
NZ winter gets cold. But it's a temperate climate, so a bit like here, unlike you head into the Southern Alps.
America is great to travel round, but not so much by bike. Drivers are too cr@p.
...unless you get a mountain bike and do something like the Colarado trail!0 -
OK, building on my 'running away' scenario.
I probably would rent an apparment in Switzerland/Belguim/Italy - always wanted to go - for two/three months and ride my bike there for a while.
Not a big fan of touring but would love to have the freedom of a 'new' city/country side to enjoy...Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game0 -
The 'running away' is not a bad idea, apart from the fact that I'd rather go further afield than I can get on a ferry, and riding a bike while carrying a bike box ain't easy!!
Mind you, I would consider going Northern European, heading up through Holland/Denmark/Scandinavia...
The rent and go idea is interesting, perhaps a semi-tour thing, book hotels/hostels and explore the local area rather than just spending one night in each place.0 -
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lost_in_thought wrote:The 'running away' is not a bad idea, apart from the fact that I'd rather go further afield than I can get on a ferry, and riding a bike while carrying a bike box ain't easy!!
Mind you, I would consider going Northern European, heading up through Holland/Denmark/Scandinavia...
The rent and go idea is interesting, perhaps a semi-tour thing, book hotels/hostels and explore the local area rather than just spending one night in each place.
....then consider an Airnimal Chameleon. A top-of-the range folder which packs down into its own hardshell suitcase.....which then turns into a bike trailer! Always wanted an excuse to buy one of them!
But you can leave your bike box at the airport, ship it to the next destination, even buy cardboard and a couple of rolls of clingfilm and just wrap it there and then.0 -
Greg66 wrote:Truthfully?
I'd either (a) spend my time in Canada or (b) I'd go skiing in Queenstown; or (c) I'd chuck the bike in the car and go cycling in nice bits of Europe.
I enjoy the implication of 'truthfully'!
However, I really quite like the idea of going somewhere by bike. God knows whether I'll still think that when I look at the realities of it!0 -
rhext wrote:cjcp wrote:lost_in_thought wrote:I like the idea of France, with the minor qualifier that I'd rather go somewhere a bit more exotic. What about America?
NZ winter gets cold. But it's a temperate climate, so a bit like here, unlike you head into the Southern Alps.
America is great to travel round, but not so much by bike. Drivers are too cr@p.
...unless you get a mountain bike and do something like the Colarado trail!
True. There is all that slickrock trail area around Moab (a sort of Northern Hemisphere Queenstown).
LiT - don't be fooled by Holland. Cross winds. They're a menace. Be prepared to ride at 45 degrees to the road. Apparently, the Dutch love the Alps. I know why: I spent two weeks riding through Belgium and Holland. I should have followed them to the Alps.
The days are now shortening in Scandanavia.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
I would have done more riding when I was jobless last year for 3 months but
1) I do not have an independant income so i was signing on. No Pyrennes trips for me
2) I have a kid and a Missus. Missus was still working and she upped her hours. So more child care
3) The weather in July was rotten!
My longest bit of unemployment since the 80s0 -
lost_in_thought wrote:I'm aware that it is winter in NZ, just as it is in oz where most of my family are from. What I don't know is just how wintry winter gets!
Isn't an Aussie winter the day you step outside and think 'maybe a t-shirt instead of a singlet?' The Caitlins are magnificent but being at the south-east extreme of the South Island they do get cold and snow would not be remarkable in winter, though it would not persist long.
Weather in NZ is changable like the UK but generally warmer and sunnier (Auckland is 15 degrees closer to the equator than London). Of course, there're proper mountains and passes which you'd have to be brave to tackle in winter.
If I were to go to NZ for a cycling holiday I'd aim for Nov-March, definitely not June-August. It'd be so much nicer to finish a days cycling by jumping in the nearest beach or lake That said, if the snow is your thing then someone's already mentioned Queenstown.
If France is too familiar, what about South America? I met a couple of mad cyclists crossing the Salar de Uyuni in Boliva. It's the dry season now, cheap as chips, mind-blowing scenery.0 -
cjcp wrote:rhext wrote:cjcp wrote:lost_in_thought wrote:I like the idea of France, with the minor qualifier that I'd rather go somewhere a bit more exotic. What about America?
NZ winter gets cold. But it's a temperate climate, so a bit like here, unlike you head into the Southern Alps.
America is great to travel round, but not so much by bike. Drivers are too cr@p.
...unless you get a mountain bike and do something like the Colarado trail!
True. There is all that slickrock trail area around Moab (a sort of Northern Hemisphere Queenstown).
LiT - don't be fooled by Holland. Cross winds. They're a menace. Be prepared to ride at 45 degrees to the road. Apparently, the Dutch love the Alps. I know why: I spent two weeks riding through Belgium and Holland. I should have followed them to the Alps.
The days are now shortening in Scandanavia.
Hmmm, he makes a valid point about the winds. There aren't windmills everywhere just for sh*ts and giggles.
The slight unwillingness to 'do' France is the fact that I spent a lot of summers there as a kid, and have spent a lot of time there with work over the past 3 years, so it's not really like an escape, or a new and exciting destination.
I know the days are shortening, but not THAT rapidly - it was sunny at 11:30pm in Helsinki just 3 weeks ago. Not just light, sunny.0
