Fifty Plus (50+) - If I retired now, I'd bike less...

It's a cold, drizzly dark morning. If I'm retired, I think---why would I want to bike in this? What's on TV?

But because I'm working (age 65), I have to get there by 9:30. Here are my choices:

1. Driving six miles from Arlington to downtown D.C., bumper to bumper in some places, fighting traffic and paying $13 in parking. And feeling rotten when I get there. 30 minutes.

2. Walking five blocks to the bus in the drizzle, waiting maybe 10 minutes and getting in a bus that gets stuck in traffic. 45 minutes.

3. Walking a mile to the Metro in the drizzle, standing up on a train that frequently stops and starts between stations and feeling like I'm in an ant farm. 45 minutes.

4. Hopping on my bike, riding down bike paths, gliding along the Potomac, past monuments, and feeling good when I get to work. 35 minutes.

Oh, yeah, and I have a job, too. I get paid money and I talk to friends and drink coffee and read newspapers and the Internet. Sort of what I would do in retirement.

Yeah, I guess I could ride in the south of France or somewhere, but then I'd need the money I get from the job.

So, I guess I'm not ready. (Until the next set-to with a boss anyway).

Hm. Almost time to ride home.

Yeah. Nice rationalization there. But if it works for you, go with it. :)

I'm so with you on this. I tried retirement a few years ago and was just not ready. I simply changed careers instead and find I have a good balance between work I love and a great personal life. And time on the bike is never taken for granted. It takes good time management, but for me, a fuller life is a happier life.

I like it.

I'm 2 decades away from being a legit "50+" poster, so pardon my impertinance...

I should be at the point where working is optional within the next 5 years. Been researching, trying to figure out what i would do if i stopped working. The title of this thread caught my eye.

I figure you have it made. get paid to do stuff you like, and get a nice ride in as well.

Cheers

I retired a few weeks ago and still ride at least 3 hours each day...the only difference will be that I won't bike in the snow this year as I no longer commute.

I'm looking for a house near our bike trails and downhill runs in Collingwood, Ontario, but as I have a house about 20 minutes away, I may stay there and drive to the trails...we do 75km of road daily when we're there...at least 20km of XC when we take the big bikes out.

Next year I'm off to Spain to scout locations to rent...plan is to live there 3 months/year until we buy...maybe Italy. A friend has two houses in the Pyrenees at the French border...he wants to sell me one...maybe?:rolleyes:

And...I'm biking in Toronto daily...exploring parts of the city I haven't seen for years...on top of everything else I have on the go...I'm up at 3:30 AM.

so much to do...so little time

...and I'm 57 :D

Have had several friends retire over the past few years and have to admit that retirement is going to be the death of them. That magic word Retirement seems to be linked to lethargy.

For myself- I cannot wait wait to retire. Winter might be a problem with enthusiasm but as soon as that sun appears- I will have so many things to do, that I will have to find time to get out on the bike. Will have to find time as as many have also found out-Keeping active and doing some form of sport- will keep the body and brain alive.

4. Hopping on my bike, riding down bike paths, gliding along the Potomac, past monuments, and feeling good when I get to work. 35 minutes.

Oh, yeah, and I have a job, too. I get paid money and I talk to friends and drink coffee and read newspapers and the Internet. Sort of what I would do in retirement.

Yeah, I guess I could ride in the south of France or somewhere, but then I'd need the money I get from the job.

So, I guess I'm not ready. (Until the next set-to with a boss anyway).

Hm. Almost time to ride home.

You must work for the government:):)Sounds like our tax money at work.
Wink

Good points. Maybe I don't want to retire, after all. I just need to get a different job.

If you have to have a job, do something you like even if the money is bad [it usually is]. Then I believe it become a lifestyle not a job. I'm about to walk away from a job that is driving me crazy. hate the daily commute and sitting at a desk[60% of the job] does nothing for your health or motivation. I'm looking to work one or two days a week for spending money. Got a heavy truck license so might hit the road for a couple of days a week. hate the early starts but do get to see some beautiful sunrises and play on big boys toys. Money is rubbish of course but whatever. One life. Might as well live it.

Jim

I retired in June and thought it would be a big adjustment. I loved my job but seeing friends and family with illness prompted me to retire now. I can always work if I want to but if you are the busy type, sports, hobbies etc. how do you have time to work? It seems as if I have less time than when I worked. So many things to do....so little time! HOw True.
Hockey

You must work for the government:):)Sounds like our tax money at work.
Wink

Ha! No, I work in the media, writing a newsletter. My ideal job would be to write a bicycling newsletter.

Ha! No, I work in the media, writing a newsletter. My ideal job would be to write a bicycling newsletter.

OK so long as I`m not paying to to drink coffee and shot the BS with friends.:pI read very little as you may can tell from my post.:)So I most likely am not paying you.:D
Wink

I'm 57, work three days a week at a pleasant job, live in a beautiful area, and deeply wish I were free to retire and move away. As it is, having been on the part-time schedule for about five years, I think the key to a happy retirement is to have a small collection of hobbies. "Hobbies" sounds so inconsequential, unimportant, and kind of dumb. I think it is good to come to a happy, meaningful understanding of oneself and the world so that simply playing, or tinkering, or doing something by oneself out of doors, is seen as a good and worthwhile way to spend one's days. Early on, I banished booze from the house except on an infrequent per-occasion basis. TV had been gone since 1970. I disconnected the internet at home (I am at work now). What do I DO? Well, I do take care of my mother, which doesn't take much time so far. Otherwise, I feel like I don't have enough time to do all the things that make each free day a delight. I CAN'T WAITE to be fully retired!:D

'Work' is a 4-letter word . . . 'retire' is a 6-letter word. Prefer 6-letter word!
Been retired 13 years and at age 75 still riding 100+ miles a week year 'round . . . but then I don't have to put with DC problems!
Retire. Pack up and move . . . it'll be another great adventure!

I retired three years ago at 56 and never been happier. I had a fairly challenging and rewarding career but I used to wake up at 4:00 AM worrying about this and that. No more.

Have to agree. While I'm 10 years younger, I have hit the magic retirement age and longevity for my profession. I still look forward to my daily ride into Rosslyn each morning and home in the evening more than the work I'm doing at the moment.

When I do retire some day, we may go to our country house in Southern Va. (near South Boston). It is a bicycling dream, with very light traffic and mildly rolling hills. I've learned to live with being chased by dogs and seeing an occasional hostile motorist. I love the rides, though I could never ride there in the dark or rain. (My wife runs it as a summer B&B).

. I've learned to live with being chased by dogs and seeing an occasional hostile motorist. I love the rides, though I could never ride there in the dark or rain. (My wife runs it as a summer B&B).

Get a can of pepper spray it will get the dogs mines right.Also yesterday one came after me and ran out in to a four lane hi way and ran in to a dully pulling about a 25 foot boat.That one I don`t have to worry about any more.
Wink