When I tell people about my upcoming bike trip, there are a handful of
questions that everyone tends to ask first*: “How long will you be gone for?” “Are
you riding by yourself / with a group?” “How far?” and more often than not, “What
are you doing about work!?” with the implication of ‘how the hell can you take
3 months off??’
Well, dealing with work was one of my biggest things to figure out, and
one that I left for near last. I needed to see if a few things came through
before I could tell the various necessary people about the trip, and after that
passed I finally told them.
I do software consulting, so I work for a ‘parent company’ as a full
time employee, and they farm me out to clients. Currently I’ve been working ‘on
client site’ for a year, so I effectively have 2 bosses – my actual boss at the
parent company, and my acting manager at the client site.
I finally told both of them last week that I am taking 3 months off
over the summer. I didn’t ask for the time, I stated that I was taking it. Then
we can work out what that means for each of the parties.
I was prepared to do any of the following: take a sabbatical and come
back to my company when I get back, providing they’d have me. I was prepared to
quit, if that was necessary, and I was prepared for them to just let me go. My
line of work is in pretty high demand and I’m not overly worried about finding
work when I get back.
Much to my surprise, my boss seemed very inclined to keep me on, and
work with me to take this sabbatical. There’s still a lot of details to be
worked out, but if it means I don’t have to send out resumes and take phone interviews
in my tent while traveling, that’s pretty awesome.
One comment I got at work when I told someone I was leaving to ride my
bike cross country, he said “That’s such an Aaron thing to do!” This person doesn’t know me all that well,
and I can’t tell if this is said with a positive or sarcastic connotation. But
then again, I suppose it kind of is a very ‘me’ thing to do, even though I’ve
never done anything even remotely like this before. This is consummately ‘me.’
The workplace announcement also marked the last major hurtle (ie: bit
of stress) I had to take care of for the trip. I’ve bought the bike, all the
gear, paid the fee, told my friends, and now settled up things with work. From
here on out, all I have to do is basic preparations: train, figure out my
packing list, and lots of little planning details that are somewhat small in
comparison to everything I’ve already done.
With this last major bit covered, the trip seems to be approaching faster
and faster, and I think it will be upon me before I realize it.
In one hand, it can’t get here soon enough, I’m so eager for this. On the other
hand, there are a billion little things I need to do, and the 2 ½ months I have
left seems barely enough to get it all covered!
I suppose, only time will tell if I’m really ready when May 3rd
arrives.
*Questions:
“How long will you be gone for?”
Almost 4 months. The bike trip itself is 93 days, plus a little time at
each end to settle in.
“Are you riding by yourself / with a group?”
With a group. 14 riders plus 1 tour guide. I don’t know any of the
other people.
“How far?”
4305 miles total.
Then, there are many common secondary questions:
“How far each day?”
Average of 55-60 miles a day.
“Where are you staying?”
We are camping most nights, with a ‘rest day’ once a week at a more established
place like a hotel or hostel.
“What is the route?”
From Virginia to Oregon. Ocean to ocean.
“Is there a van carrying your stuff?”
Nope, everything I need for 3 months of living I will be carrying on my
bike. (or maybe, buying some stuff along the way as needed.)
“You’re crazy.”
Is there a question in there? ;)
"No, there's no question you're crazy."
