What happens while you are riding

Since leaving College four years ago, life centered around bike racing. I left a job and took a big paycut - to be in a better area and situation for riding (that job sucked, so leaving didn't hurt). I moved around a few times to be close enough to ride to work and then to be in a house with a bunch of cyclists. When I got laid off, I didn't sweat it and gladly let my training fill in the gaps.

Most people asked me "What I was doing" when I got laid off. And I said, I am just going to stick with my current company and work for them when they have the work. Some of those people, I know, would look down on me for not hustling to find a new full time job. I was just not career oriented enough.

But while I wasn't trying to advance my career, it happened anyways. I took a promotion to run the Beach Condo project (somewhat begrudgingly). I got a pay-raise (first raise my company of 100+ people has given in 3 years). I got a bonus (first round of bonuses in 3 years). I get to be in the office when I want. I set my own schedule. I can work from home if I want.

Life, pretty soon, won't be centered around bike racing. But even though it won't have:

Italian Pursuit National Championships

Lapping the field at Bucknell

Getting in the winning break at Fitchburg

I know it will have less of this:

And hopefully a lot more:

Crazy night rides

Brooklyn Death Rides

7 hour rides in Rothrock

Laying first tracks in the snow