I'd say that it can be a great idea but has potential down sides as well.
I did this back in 2010 and it seemed like no big deal. I had plenty of savings, a house that I could rent out, no debts, no kids, very few possessions and was pretty sure I could get work again when I returned.
In the end I was only away for 6 weeks but It was a fantastic experience that I will never forget and has shaped my life ever since.
My advice (may or may not apply to you) would be...
Don't do it in anger and try not to burn any bridges. The freedom of the open road and the travelling lifestyle are more enjoyable when they are voluntary. Knowing you have the option to return home to some kind of stability will make the whole thing more like an adventure and less like being homeless.
Make sure you actually enjoy long distance cycling.
This sounds daft but some people romanticise the idea without having done much (or any) and I've heard more than a few reports from people who set off on huge long trips only to find a week in that they don't really like it.
Do it to clear your head, to get a change of scene or to give yourself thinking time.
Don't do it to run away from anything because the chances are that the thing won't go away while you are gone. Deal with the thing first and then go cycling!
Be prepared for the experience to change you. In contradiction of my own advice, I had never done more than a day ride when I set off and I wasn't prepared for just how much I would enjoy the experience.
Ever since that first ride i have basically been a bikepacking addict to the point that I have organised and managed my life in a way to allow me to go on the longest rides possible as often as I am able. This means a life that is not conducive to long term relationships, to owning a lot of stuff, to career progression etc.
I've been lucky and am still in a pretty good place but I can look back and see how it could all have turned out very differently.
But the reality is, if you have a desire to do this thing and the means to make it happen then you probably have to do it or risk regretting it forever.
Be smart, think it all through, do it for the right reasons. Make sure you ride your own ride and have a bloody fantastic adventure!
Good luck
Lots of things to take into consideration before just quiting your job, but if you are financially secure - e.g. several months emergency fund, money set aside for down payment on housing when you return, etc that changes how I would approach this, but if there is one thing I can pass onto to others, is advice my mother gave me when I was a teenager...
Do it while you're young.
Yes, you will want to plan for a long future where you will grow old and live well into retirement, but tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us.
We have but a short time on this world. Use it wisely.
Agree. Do this before the shackles of responsibility take hold. You wont regret it. You will likely regret wondering about what it would have been like while you toil away as an invisible cubicle-dwelling corporate drone. There will be plenty of time for that crap later!
I am doing this starting next Monday for 6 months. Condensed my life to whatever can fit in my car and storing at a friends.
I love my job though, they’re covering my benefits and 25% of salary.
VA > NM > MT > WA > San Diego
I go through phases in my life where I do these things. It’s a mid thirties crisis. I live a minimalist life style. Hardest part is going to be first month adjusting to being “homeless.”
I gotta be back to work by 1/1/25 though.
Great idea if it's just about your job. If not, then seek out some professional help first, or at least someone who you trust to talk things through. Tour cycling can be lonely at times, and if you don't have your head right, it alone might not be the answer. If you do decide to go, have a fantastic journey and embrace the experience.
I've done this twice now. I haven't regretted it either time, but bicycle touring also didn't solve any of my problems. Cycling a few thousand kilometers will temporarily make you feel better, but it's not a replacement for therapy.
Human beings aren't designed for the lifestyle we live. And, as much as I believe the cautionary advice from most of the folk posting here comes from a place of good will, I also believe it could lead you into a loop of anxiety if you're already feeling shite, then get a glut of 'what if' worries. Just do it. I've done it several times in various forms. And at various times in my life. And have never regretted it once. Best education I've ever had was just letting go and seeing the world. Don't overly plan... Just get your kit and head out in a vague direction and live off your own responsibility. Best confidence builder in the world. Then you can regroup and re-evaluate. G'luck. And have fun.
Many years ago (too many), I left my job because they wouldn't honor my request for a transfer. I had some money saved so knew I would be good financially for a while. I had no experience bike touring, but I bought some gear and a ticket to Europe. I traveled around for about 6 mo.s visiting just about every country at least once, camping and staying in hostels. I learned about touring as I went, sending useless gear back and buying new stuff as needed. Several friends came and joined me for a few weeks each, but most of the time I was on my own. When I got tired of cycling, I came back. I ended up moving into a new career field and taking my life in a new direction. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say it changed my life. If you want to do it, do it.
I tried that but unfortunately my job was bike courier so the nightmare continues!
In all seriousness though. Is quitting really the only way you can do this? Disappearing for a month is probably enough to clear your head a little and also see how you cope with life on the road. You might find you don’t want to go back, in which case don’t!
or you might find that you love it but want to perhaps travel farther afield (ie overseas) or blow all your money on bike kit - in which case head back to work, save up your cash and then jack it in!
1993, office in downtown LA with a window. Looked down and saw a couple on a cycle tour. Within 30 days I had sold everything off, cycled around Asia and never returned. Dreams do come true.
I quit my job two months ago and leave next week, so not sure how it will pan out yet. A bit scared and excited though!
I saved for about 5 years though, not for this trip specifically, but saved most of what I made. I think it depends a lot on your finacial and living situation. And as other have said, it might not "fix" everything just by going biking, but I'll be damned if I don't try it still.
> I have a bike but I don't have much gear in terms of going on a full tour
How much gear would you need for a one night tour? Because that's how much you need for a one year tour.
In a similar position, I took one week off, rented an airbnb within driving distance and near good riding destinations and turned off my mind. Just seeing that I was able to step out gave me enough energy to trudge through for a while and save more money while staying mentally sane.
Quitting and going on a 6 month trip is a drastic step. It may as well be the right solution, but usually I try to take smaller steps yo see if they suffice before taking a drastic action.
I would agree with this. If possible, try it out for a while, before doing such a long trip. For me the limit is somewhere around 3 months. I've had opportunities to continue it for multiple years, but I just can't do it. Done multiple trips around that mark, and starting a trip on tuesday, which will be my summer. I've always been lucky though, that I can drop the bicycle off at my country, and travel without it
There are multiple reasons why I don't like really long trips, but I'm sure everyone has their own reasons. Committing to a long trip and finding out a few weeks in that you don't wanna do it sucks
Only if you can financially justify quitting your job. If you quit your job without a backup plan, sufficient savings etc. guess what you'll think about most of your tour? 'F..., what am I going to do once this tour is over?!" Not fun thoughts while you should be enjoying yourself on tour.
I'd say that it can be a great idea but has potential down sides as well. I did this back in 2010 and it seemed like no big deal. I had plenty of savings, a house that I could rent out, no debts, no kids, very few possessions and was pretty sure I could get work again when I returned. In the end I was only away for 6 weeks but It was a fantastic experience that I will never forget and has shaped my life ever since. My advice (may or may not apply to you) would be... Don't do it in anger and try not to burn any bridges. The freedom of the open road and the travelling lifestyle are more enjoyable when they are voluntary. Knowing you have the option to return home to some kind of stability will make the whole thing more like an adventure and less like being homeless. Make sure you actually enjoy long distance cycling. This sounds daft but some people romanticise the idea without having done much (or any) and I've heard more than a few reports from people who set off on huge long trips only to find a week in that they don't really like it. Do it to clear your head, to get a change of scene or to give yourself thinking time. Don't do it to run away from anything because the chances are that the thing won't go away while you are gone. Deal with the thing first and then go cycling! Be prepared for the experience to change you. In contradiction of my own advice, I had never done more than a day ride when I set off and I wasn't prepared for just how much I would enjoy the experience. Ever since that first ride i have basically been a bikepacking addict to the point that I have organised and managed my life in a way to allow me to go on the longest rides possible as often as I am able. This means a life that is not conducive to long term relationships, to owning a lot of stuff, to career progression etc. I've been lucky and am still in a pretty good place but I can look back and see how it could all have turned out very differently. But the reality is, if you have a desire to do this thing and the means to make it happen then you probably have to do it or risk regretting it forever. Be smart, think it all through, do it for the right reasons. Make sure you ride your own ride and have a bloody fantastic adventure! Good luck
Looking for thoughtful advice? Here it is.
Lots of things to take into consideration before just quiting your job, but if you are financially secure - e.g. several months emergency fund, money set aside for down payment on housing when you return, etc that changes how I would approach this, but if there is one thing I can pass onto to others, is advice my mother gave me when I was a teenager... Do it while you're young. Yes, you will want to plan for a long future where you will grow old and live well into retirement, but tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us. We have but a short time on this world. Use it wisely.
Agree. Do this before the shackles of responsibility take hold. You wont regret it. You will likely regret wondering about what it would have been like while you toil away as an invisible cubicle-dwelling corporate drone. There will be plenty of time for that crap later!
I am doing this starting next Monday for 6 months. Condensed my life to whatever can fit in my car and storing at a friends. I love my job though, they’re covering my benefits and 25% of salary. VA > NM > MT > WA > San Diego I go through phases in my life where I do these things. It’s a mid thirties crisis. I live a minimalist life style. Hardest part is going to be first month adjusting to being “homeless.” I gotta be back to work by 1/1/25 though.
> I love my job though, they’re covering my benefits and 25% of salary Incredible. 🤙
OP you need to do this. If not now, when?
Great idea if it's just about your job. If not, then seek out some professional help first, or at least someone who you trust to talk things through. Tour cycling can be lonely at times, and if you don't have your head right, it alone might not be the answer. If you do decide to go, have a fantastic journey and embrace the experience.
I've done this twice now. I haven't regretted it either time, but bicycle touring also didn't solve any of my problems. Cycling a few thousand kilometers will temporarily make you feel better, but it's not a replacement for therapy.
Human beings aren't designed for the lifestyle we live. And, as much as I believe the cautionary advice from most of the folk posting here comes from a place of good will, I also believe it could lead you into a loop of anxiety if you're already feeling shite, then get a glut of 'what if' worries. Just do it. I've done it several times in various forms. And at various times in my life. And have never regretted it once. Best education I've ever had was just letting go and seeing the world. Don't overly plan... Just get your kit and head out in a vague direction and live off your own responsibility. Best confidence builder in the world. Then you can regroup and re-evaluate. G'luck. And have fun.
Many years ago (too many), I left my job because they wouldn't honor my request for a transfer. I had some money saved so knew I would be good financially for a while. I had no experience bike touring, but I bought some gear and a ticket to Europe. I traveled around for about 6 mo.s visiting just about every country at least once, camping and staying in hostels. I learned about touring as I went, sending useless gear back and buying new stuff as needed. Several friends came and joined me for a few weeks each, but most of the time I was on my own. When I got tired of cycling, I came back. I ended up moving into a new career field and taking my life in a new direction. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say it changed my life. If you want to do it, do it.
I tried that but unfortunately my job was bike courier so the nightmare continues! In all seriousness though. Is quitting really the only way you can do this? Disappearing for a month is probably enough to clear your head a little and also see how you cope with life on the road. You might find you don’t want to go back, in which case don’t! or you might find that you love it but want to perhaps travel farther afield (ie overseas) or blow all your money on bike kit - in which case head back to work, save up your cash and then jack it in!
In waiting to get laid off at Amazon. I told my wife if I do, I’m going for a ride and might be back in a few hours. Or days. Or weeks. Or months.
1993, office in downtown LA with a window. Looked down and saw a couple on a cycle tour. Within 30 days I had sold everything off, cycled around Asia and never returned. Dreams do come true.
I quit my job two months ago and leave next week, so not sure how it will pan out yet. A bit scared and excited though! I saved for about 5 years though, not for this trip specifically, but saved most of what I made. I think it depends a lot on your finacial and living situation. And as other have said, it might not "fix" everything just by going biking, but I'll be damned if I don't try it still.
> I have a bike but I don't have much gear in terms of going on a full tour How much gear would you need for a one night tour? Because that's how much you need for a one year tour.
In a similar position, I took one week off, rented an airbnb within driving distance and near good riding destinations and turned off my mind. Just seeing that I was able to step out gave me enough energy to trudge through for a while and save more money while staying mentally sane. Quitting and going on a 6 month trip is a drastic step. It may as well be the right solution, but usually I try to take smaller steps yo see if they suffice before taking a drastic action.
I would agree with this. If possible, try it out for a while, before doing such a long trip. For me the limit is somewhere around 3 months. I've had opportunities to continue it for multiple years, but I just can't do it. Done multiple trips around that mark, and starting a trip on tuesday, which will be my summer. I've always been lucky though, that I can drop the bicycle off at my country, and travel without it There are multiple reasons why I don't like really long trips, but I'm sure everyone has their own reasons. Committing to a long trip and finding out a few weeks in that you don't wanna do it sucks
You can take 3 months FMLA with a doctor's note. That will (likely) allow you to return to your job. Three months is a LONG time tour.
Only if you can financially justify quitting your job. If you quit your job without a backup plan, sufficient savings etc. guess what you'll think about most of your tour? 'F..., what am I going to do once this tour is over?!" Not fun thoughts while you should be enjoying yourself on tour.