Many years ago, in my past life as an aeronautical engineer, I was attending a large design review in my capacity as lead engineer on what was a hugely complex multi-national program. The review was hosted by executive management and attended by stakeholders from a number of different companies and countries. One of our senior management team, who for whatever reason had always had a bit of a problem with me, kicked things off with the formal round table of introductions.. you know, “this is so and so, on behalf of etc etc”; he came to me, paused for a moment, and instead of introducing me in my professional capacity, said “this is Mike… he rides bikes”. I was well known, and highly respected, as an engineer throughout the whole program so at the time it achieved nothing other than to make him look like a bit of a twit; confirmed during conversations over dinner that night. Anyway, the review was a huge success and the incident remained as nothing more than an amusing memory.
The reason I mention it however, and the reason it’s been on my mind, is a vaguely uncomfortable feeling I’m experiencing, while fiddling with my bike, rather than working, on a Tuesday afternoon in preparation for a spot of upcoming adventure, that perhaps I really ought to be thinking, or should already have done so, a bit more about my future. These days of course I’m self-employed, and have been for 13 years, but even when I had a career I never had a plan, my life was largely shaped by choices other than career.. mostly to do with just riding bikes… That manager was right. I chose my first employer post-university not so much on the basis that the work looked interesting with lots of opportunity for career progression, but rather that the area in which I’d be based would give me lots of opportunity to go sailing, and ride bikes (of course). I was offered what looked like a great opportunity to work on developing space / satellite launch systems, but I didn’t particularly fancy living there (not great biking) so I turned it down. To be clear, that’s not to say I neglected to apply myself fully to my various roles, quite the opposite in reality, which may in part have been part of the reason I always struggled to manage a sensible work/life balance in demanding, and engaging roles.
I really don’t know what the answer is, so probably I should just ride my bike more and let my present state of angst sort itself out naturally
I quit my career in 2010 because, a) years of stress leading what was a particularly challenging program was affecting me badly, and b) I wanted more time and freedom to go riding. It took me a while to realise that I couldn’t face ever going back to a career-type of role, but now I have no regrets, it’s been a colourful and interesting few years. Increasingly however I feel as if I inhabit an awkward place between “happy-go-lucky you only live once” and the concept of career that culturally seems so important. I have great friends on both sides of the divide – friends I studied and worked with, with terrifically accomplished careers – designing racing car engines, flying airliners, directing corporations, and on the other side friends, mostly met through bicycle travel, that seem to have an unerring ability to navigate life in an apparently carefree, live for the day manner. I tend to aspire to the latter but, in part because I still contract in what would be described as a professional role, and despite mostly enjoying life fannying about with bikes, find myself unable to completely disentangle myself from the former, especially as we all head towards that time of life when, traditionally, one starts thinking a bit more about what comes after work… I really don’t know what the answer is, so probably I should just ride my bike more and let my present state of angst sort itself out naturally….
With that in mind then, over the last few weeks, in advance of a spot of some proper two-wheeled adventure later this month, I’ve been busy stuffing the miles back into my legs, as best as time allowed, to make up for the extended enforced rest during the spring. It took a while but at last I feel a little bit more like my old self on a bike, and for a change found the motivation to take a camera along for some snaps on Sunday. I went east, it’s a favourite for a long ride, not least because of the opportunity for free food to stop in and say hello to my folks at the mid-point ;-)
As for the future, well there’s always winter for worrying about things I suppose, and I imagine I’ll feel better about everything once I’m back among the mountains. In the meantime for me there are perhaps more pressing issues such as which pair of socks to pack, and what lens(es) to take…
Hi Mike,
a nice report and such beautiful “Leica Style” pictures.
As you probably know, the Cross Check has been retired.
Here in Vienna there is another store that specializes in Surly and has bought up some remaining stock.
My cross check would have been 2 years old this year.
I rebuilt it several times and even swapped the fork with a Surly Midnight S. for winter use.
Unfortunately, the 58 frame was always a bit too small for me, with a 189/90 inseam. So I tried to sell the frame and swap it for a 60. Finally I found a buyer and he wanted the whole bike…. Good By Paul brake, orange parts, titanium screws etc…
The price was right. What now?
A Midnight in black RH 60) was purchased from the local dealer (Taschen Wien).
The fork was already there + Sram Rival brakes, the wheelset, saddle, stem and handlebars too. I had to have the remaining parts quickly and please forgive me, I ordered them online. Shimano GRX 600 1×11 40 to 11-32, rear GRX 810.
I did the assembly last Sunday + photos.
Yes, it turned out great and drives extremely well. I only have to replace the Nitto handlebars and the -17° stem.
LG Thomas
hey, cheers for writing and for the kind feedback! Yes I knew about the Cross Check.. it was inevitable in the end I suppose. I still love mine and it is the most ridden of my bikes, it’s just so practical and useful. As for the Midnight Special, nice one! I think it’s a great bike, no point in persisting with a too-small frame. I know a couple of folk with them and they really rate them.
My partner and I were in a similar situation, both engineers working in what could sometimes be a stressful environment compounded by the fact that we were allowed to take on more and more responsibility due to others inability. About 15 years ago due to the kind of situations that we all experience in life, but mainly prompted by losing 3 close family members in a few days we decided to work part time and waste the rest of our time on our smallholding and biking. We’ve never looked back. We are constantly told by others how lucky we are and sadly a lot of people don’t realise there is something other than the standard career/work path until you retire or burn out. We are super lucky which I sometimes have to remind myself when I’m sat at work for the morning and I still feel when I’m surrounded by piles of paperwork that a little bit of my soul is dying chained to a desk (I know melodramatic!). Love your posts Mike, the world needs more dreamers!
hey Chris, cheers for writing, it’s always good, and interesting, to hear about the experiences of others. I find it quite a hard balancing act, probably because I still work with, and spend time, with people on career paths – and nothing wrong with that at all. Largely I do OK, but last year work dominated, I burned out, and lost my balance a bit. Probably what I’m feeling is the result of not having been away for a decent adventure for a while so time to put that right. I know from experience everything feels different after a few weeks on the road. I’m only away for 6 weeks this time but hopefully that’s enough to give me a proper, much needed reset!
Always enjoy the updates Mike. You do some great writing and the photos are always a joy.
Take care buddy and I will look forward to your future updates.
cheers Andy, you’re too kind!
I hope all is well with you.
Take care!
Beautiful piece, as always, sir … and I love the idea of a photographic portfolio of unusual roadside produce ‘For Sale’ … I might dig out my old engineering drawings to see if there are any takers – orthographic projection of a nut and bolt anyone?
As for your dichotomy between cycling and engineering … I do understand! I think society puts so much pressure on everyone to ‘Be’ something and that ends up driving their identity. When you courageously reject that it leaves you feeling pretty vulnerable, especially as you get older and start to think about pensions! I should know, it took 20 years and a pandemic in one of the professions you mention, to realise I was something other than my job! I wonder whether a better analogy (apologies for going all engineer!) is to see oneself as a multi-variable design space – that way, each period spent contracting, cycling, sailing, kayaking is you optimising those set of variables that go together to make up the uniqueness of you. The beauty of this is that, as long as you are always trying to hone your skills or add new skills then you will always continue to grow … and you’ll have great adventure stories to tell at the same time! And in terms of financial planning for retirement – I think you know the answer, Mike … write that blooming book! Take care, buddy … and safe travels!
oh crap, I’m really going to have to step up my comment response game here aren’t I… easy part first, thanks for the kind words.. unjustified I suspect but appreciated nevertheless, haha.
It’s true the identity thing can be a problem, it did take a while to adjust after leaving my career, and I tend not to think of myself in terms of what I do any more, other than being a nerd of course, but that encompasses more than just writing software.. you know, things like Star Trek and model planes. I am burdened (or blessed, not sure which) with the kind of brain that constantly needs to be engaged in interesting challenges so I’m not sure I’ll ever leave behind the engineering/software space entirely.. and that in itself is I think where I’m struggling.. as being in that environment makes it hard to simply “tread my own path” as it were, a sort of indirect peer pressure.. heck merely existing in a western economy brings the same pressure. Whenever I return from a long bike trip I feel lighter, time away from the ‘usual’ environment makes the possibilities feel endless… but always after a few months immersed back in UK life the same old doubts and pressures begin to creep back in. It’s almost 5 years since the last real escape.. Spain in 2022 doesn’t count, work ended up dominating that trip sadly. I do have to take a laptop with me this time, and it’s only a 6 week trip, but the very nature of where I’ll be .. a complete absence of mobile reception for days and days at a time will be helpful. Who knows, my laptop might even get lost… ;-)
Anyway, as for the multi-variable design space.. indeed, a useful analogy and perhaps a space that is still coalescing into a concept that would be know as the future…
Precisely! You said it much better than I did! … ‘Geekiness’ should be celebrated … along with the lightness that cycling brings!
I retired fifteen years ago, at the age of 44, abandoning a presumably successful career (or so I’d like to think) and replacing it with traveling, biking etc. Best decision of my life.
Regards from Northwestern Pakistan (this time travelling on a small motorcycle)
a noble achievement I think! I did take friday off ;-) Have a super time over there in NW Pakistan. I loved it.