I hope to work on the road... I guess the trick for me has been to find my 'niche', my particular skill-set and use that on the road.

I'm a writer and journalist, and hoping to break into the freelance market as I travel. I hope to eventually become a freelance travel writer. That's the big goal, but, baby steps.

In terms of your questions about taking time off. That all depends, at least in my opinion, on how much you want to do a bike tour - and how far you want to go. If your dream is to cycle around the World, then begin! Do a Tom Allen, or Alastair Humphreys... And sell all your Worldly possessions (Wife included - okay... Maybe not! ) Quit your job, or take a series of months off from it... And go! The only thing stopping you is yourself and limitations are but those that you set yourself.