In my case, the two were linked though not in the way you might think.
I took a six week trip across the USA. I had saved up vacation and was able to do this between projects. Five months after I returned, my entire group at work was down-sized. After being downsized, my biggest focus was on finding a new job and it was winter - so I wasn't really in mode to do another longer bicycle trip. However, I also realized I had been very fortunate to have taken that six-week trip. This was an experience I'd had that couldn't be taken away...
With that mindset, I decided that a similar downsizing could happen in the future as well. I wouldn't have much say in the matter or decision of when it might happen. However, what I could control was my reaction to it. That meant a few things. One was keeping my skills and contacts up so I could do a similar job switch in the future. Another was deciding that I would simply plan my own career breaks - since that was something that was important to me.
Another way is to ensure you always have some cash in the bank to allow you to go. This probably goes without saying, but in modern society, "saving" seems to be a dirty word. This is generally a good idea anyway, because even if you don't go for a bike tour between jobs, the money you have saved allows you to be selective about which job you take, and that, in itself, could impact on your future touring opportunities.