raydog

I know quite a few bicyclists and it occurred to me that a few of them seem to do the many miles at the expense of home upkeep, relationships, job, and other life's responsibilities. All the while, I know many others that do the rest of their lives THEN seem to get in the necessary miles and bicycle enjoyment.
Although my wife doesn't ride like I do (150 miles weekly for me), she supports my passion. I can't help but think that her support is partly due to me "getting things done" around the house prior to my rides. I'm thinking out loud here but, I enjoy pounding down the highway so much more when most of the "ducks are in a row" at home. Of course, others' choices are none of my business but I wonder, is this a state of mind others experience or should this question fall, without comment, into the back pages of the Forum?

dcrowell

Any hobby can become an obsession. If your obsessions cause you to quit doing the necessary items at home it's a problem. It doesn't matter whether your obsession is bicycling, motorcycles, prostitutes(?!), fast cars, gardening, or alcohol.

I've found that a simpler life means fewer things I have to do at home, and more time for the things I want to do. Owning fewer things means it takes less time to clean the house.

CraigB

In the words of the late George Harrison, "it's all up to what you value..."

For me, right now, that means lawn work. It kills me to miss some of the last great weekend riding weather, but that's the price I pay for being a homeowner with a wife who's reasonably happy.

SlimRider

As a little boy, I remember washing my bicycle, wiping it off, oiling the chain, and making sure it was always kept in tip top shape. At night, it was always securely found safe at my side, right next to my bed. I pretty much took care of everything that really meant anything to me, that I considered to be of genuine value. This included my trusty BB gun and my Boy Scout's pocket knife.

I also, remember my mom constantly nagging me about making my bed, placing my dirty clothes in the hamper, instead of everywhere else I could possibly place them. She was forever reminding me about returning my dishware to the kitchen and washing those much dreaded dishes. There was also the eternally present garbage that had to be taken out to the garbage cans, way out there, next to the garage, almost a whole thirty feet away from the house. It seems to me, that none of that stuff was ever much fun. It still isn't!

It's just that now, I'm an adult and I'm better able at suffering the small interruptions of my personal fun for the maintenance of better hygiene and the improvement of the environment.

As a child, I had a whole different concept of the word "green". I usually associated that color with stains, strange-looking growths formed on a dish underneath my bed, or perhaps, the color of gas escaping from my hi-top sneakers.

It's such a pain growing up and taking on greater responsibilities. However, it had to be done. If for no other reason than to discover a different concept of that precious little word, "green".

- Slim

StephenH

I don't think I'll be on my deathbed wishing I'd mowed the lawn more regularly. I figure if I enjoy doing it, and I'm not hurting anyone, then why not go for it, and if that means the closet is messy, so what?

DataJunkie

Life is about the constant struggle to balance what you should be doing with what you want to be doing. It goes without saying that priorities vary from individual to individual.
I have an 8 month old, an 8 year old, a wife, and an old house that needs constant work. I don't get to ride as much as I like but I sure enjoy the miles that I do ride.
My wife is quite supportive and helps around the house.
What I will not do is neglect my family. Anyhow, I should hit 6000 miles this year.

raydog

Good stuff you guys, boy, simplifying my life with less possessions (and therefore reduced responsibilities) is looming in my near future since I'm 2 1/2 years from retirement. They say one better have a plan when suddenly there is no work requirement....I bet bicyclists are the most satisfied in retirement given the opportunity for those extra miles! Anyways, I may not need 3 motorcycles, a boat and a big house, but I do need 4 bikes! OK, it's Sunday and the light snow is gone from last night....I better go rake some leaves to make the wife happy.

tsl

After 20 years of workaholism, I suddenly realized I had no life, and that those things I thought I cared about--house, car, career and relationship--were actually just sucking the life out of me. I dumped it all--house, car, career, and relationship. After a couple of years of knocking around I had sorted out what had meaning for me and what did not, and rebuilt my life around those things that had meaning.

Today I work half-time at the public library, and quarter-time making web sites. I rent a small studio apartment. And I spend a lot of time on my bikes.

raydog

Well said, since I too, will get 6000 for 2011, I know you take this sport seriously!

Mobile 155

For me it was all a matter of planning and maybe some good luck. I had two homes when I was working. One home was in a Mountain community and one in the desert by a lake. My wife and I decided to sell one home, pay off all the bills. Buy a travel trailer and tour the US. (Everything I have is paid for including the house) A side effect of that was having a yard with all native plants or even cactus. When I wasn’t traveling I re-discovered cycling and have made a great effort to make sure my “house keeping” is as simplistic as it can be. My wife has free reign in the house and if there was something that would take more time than I wanted to dedicate to it we saved up and hired someone to do it. With the down turn of the economy finding handy men is pretty easy and reasonable. Two years ago I managed 8000 miles. Last year I got in 6000 and this year I am looking at 7000.


I ride three or 4 days a week on a road bike and with a group. Some time I ride with a friend or two on my MTB on the off days and once a week I do my shopping by bike and trailer. I often joke that I don’t know how I ever found time to work with all the things there are to do now that I am retired.

rebel1916

BF needs a like button!

Mr. Beanz

Our kids are grown, and out with families of their own. I always seem to be stuck working nights so I have all morning to do as I please. On the weekend, I may get off work at 1:45, be in bed by 3 then get up at 7 to do a ride. I won't sleep my weekend away so I might even do the lawn after a good 50 miler.

I do have the personality of not liking things out of place. My shoes are always in the right place, clothes in the hamper I don't, wont leave socks laying around type personality. Heck, I scold my wife is she leaves her shoes laying around. I can't stand to let things get out of hand. Organization does a whole lot when you plan to ride on the weekend. Mess, what mess?

First few years of riding was alone. Started the wife riding about 3 years later. She rides with me just about every time I ride so no relationship stress here. Heck, she encourages me to buy stuff for the bikes.

Wife is manager at work, works 10 hour shifts just about ever day and has done 3000-4000 miles every year since 2005. 7 years prior, she did 2000 per year.

sknhgy 

I work full time and I'm taking a night class this semester. I'm roughly averaging 10+ miles/day. Mostly at night, now that the days have got short.
My workday schedule is: awake at 5:30am, get home from work at 5:00pm. Short nap. Cook supper. Clean-up. Get an hour or so ride in between 7-9pm. Asleep ~ 11pm.
It's hilly where I live so even a 10-15 mile ride can be a good workout.
Some things get put off, but they ain't important.

Machka 

+1

As long as the place is not a complete disaster, it's more important for me to do what I enjoy doing ... travelling, cycling, canoeing, going to the beach, playing around with photography etc.

The last thing I'd want is to get all caught up in "getting things done" around the house at the expense of all that. Life is too short to spend it doing chores most of the time.

raydog

One thing I've noticed re: keeping things in life somewhat orderly (not just a project or oil change for the car but also bills and financial order) is that "frontloading" works so much better, getting stuff handled. It's probably my weird personality, left over from the Marines or high school football or something, but when I've finished things at home my riding seems so unencumbered and free. At my age (64) I am really enjoying paying folks to do what I used to do myself so I can go play!
Machka, good call on the traveling and cycling (with motorcycling included for me).

raydog

People like you serve to increase my anticipation of retirement!

Machka 

Hire a lawn care service.

bigbadwullf

Was just recently talking to a riding buddy of mine. I told him when I see God, I don't think he's gonna say "you should have cut the grass more instead of enjoying my creation". I was talking about all the things I do( fish, golf, ski, bike, dirt bike, softball, etc etc) Now, of course you have to do such within reason. I get the grass cut but I rarely edge and run the weed eater, mulch, etc.

Ron Harry

for me, it's sublimation...

bigbadwullf

You like going from a solid to a gas?

CraigB

Can't afford it. Besides, I'm not talking about mowing, I'm talking about clearing the leaves from the yard and the planting beds and prepping everything for the winter. It takes at least 4 full weekends. Neither my wife nor I would be happy with the results if we skipped it to ride.

Maybe if I'm ever able to retire, which at this point looks doubtful, I'll be able to do all these things when they need doing, and not during the only available dyalight hours at my disposal (i.e., weekends).

Mobile 155

Thanks,
In my opinion far too many people work until they can’t enjoy retirement. Far too many retire and quit doing anything. I believe when you retire you can make your passion, hobby, sport or other interest your new focus. I don’t care if it is grandkids, Astronomy, boating, golf, and cycling, hiking, or social volunteer work. There are lots of things to do when you don’t have to go to work. The difference is you have a lot more freedom to decide how much you want to do each day. Cycling just happens to be something you can do as recreation and utility. It is just about as versatile as walking.

Machka 

What about engaging the help of the kid next door who wants some extra cash for Christmas?

Personally, I'd consider moving if my yard work took up that much time. But some people enjoy that sort of thing.

Machka 

Which was partly why I decided to "retire" for 3 months back in 2004 and do a cycling tour of Australia. I wanted to enjoy my life and periods of "freedom" like that while I was still strong enough to do so. We're talking about another "retirement" sometime in the relatively near future.

bradtx

raydog, Any optional life activity when taken to the extreme is mentally and/or emotionally unhealthy in my opinion. Cycling has been a passion of mine since I first learned to ride, but it has it's own time and place in my life. Yes, I've given up a day of riding to mow my yard.

Brad