Just interested to know how you guys unwind those of you with a busy lifestyle. I have that much on at the minute I dont know which way is up and my brain is frazzled. Just coming out my time at work and being given more things to do than I can manage. Finishing my second year of uni. Trying to keep fit. Trying to keep up with my band getting in some practice. The racing... Catchin up with mates who I've neglected through lack of time. Seems to be that once a week I have a spare evening normally on a weekend during which I just get stupidly pi$$ed just to lobotomise brain of all the shit from the week! So glad I dont have kids or I think my head would explode!! Weeks pass by so quickly and there just isn't enough time to enjoy the things that actually matter. Wish I was a millionaire!! Bring on anglesey for some muchly needed release
If I'm not out on the bike at the weekend, I normally spend a couple of hours tinkering in the garage to unwind. Also I'm not long back from a weekend away to the Lake District in a log cabin where I did nothing but recharge my batteries and spend some time with the missus, as it stands just now I maybe see her for 2 hours a day which obviously puts strain on her. Especially just now with her being pregnant. I used to do a lot of fishing up until a few years ago and found that very relaxing, but with the new job I'm even more busier than before. You just need to make time for yourself mate, or else it all becomes a bit of a chore.
it used to be the bike..... tours, ride outs odd track day and weekend away... but tbh, since the racing has started the bike just adds pressure to it all, as im stuck to the dates and committed to the money.... i LOVE it dont get me wrong, but it's not a rest from work i need after a tough week. if anything i think my work has suffered also as im either a - not bothered / concentrated or b - trying to scam time off to do TD to practice / learn tracks. factor in a normal home life, lisa is cool but gets neglected cos of work / racing so try and make an effort there.... having a house on the market so potential move hanging over me, and the daily grind (tough at mo due to being ultra busy) and i also feel like my head is going to explode at times! main factor why i haven’t been doing the road riding as much, struggle for time, bit selfish to be out one weekend on bike then away next racing and i now feel like i need a break from the bike - never thought i'd say that.... so my little escape now is to walk my little dog! get out and chill on my own or with lisa for a chat and fresh air. chills me right out feel for you with the Uni mate, few years back was doing full time job, uni 1 day week, private stuff and me and bro had a small painting firm so know how it can be - but more you put in, more you get out mate so not all in vain.
The Tyke raises an interesting point. I'm currently struggling to get out of hibernation mode and we are both getting home, eating then crashing until it's time to sleep and start the whole process over again. We're both lucky that neither of us work weekends, but this is where we find we're cramming everything 'admin' (washing, cleaning, ironing, mowing, sweeping etc) into that 48 hours and missing the smell of the roses. Catching up with friends has become the serendipity of our diaries matching on either the Friday or the Saturday evening, so, more often than not, a proper social life gets sacrificed. Tonight, we'll finish eating and clearing up by about 7:30, ponder what to do next, then probably veg out infront of the box. I'm away on holiday next week and I haven't even thought about what I'm taking with me yet.
If I'm not out on the bike over a sunny weekend, then it's usually either crash out on the sofa in front of the gogglebox or doing a bit of gaming on the PC/Xbox when the missus is watching crap. Weekends we try to get out as much as possible, but shopping and kids clubs eat into that. Then there's lawns to mow, meals to cook, DIY to be done....a man's work is never done....
I ride the bike (not as much as I should), walk a few miles / night, read books and spend quite a bit of time with our lass. That tends to work for me. Oh and I wank quite a lot.
I think most of us are wankers Work keeps me Busy. 5-6 days a week. on call when I'm not in work half the time. Wife and 2 kids keep me busy. if i'm not out on the bike or Kit car I enjoy pottering ion the garage. Playing on the Xbox (Never have much time for this). Watching the racing. trying to organize events with mates and meets etc.. Spending time in the garden and BBQ's love em. But not the gas type. thats for people who like to have a inside oven/hob in the garden. Coal is the way forward And I also enjoy trying my best not to hear or see Foozball.
In respects to the added pressure from racing and not giving a fcuk about anything else, job for example, I'm exactly the same as you pal
I just think its so hard to give everything a 100%. At the moment I'm managing it but my social life and relaxation time is really suffering. As soon as I finish a hectic head busting day at work I clock out and straightaway have another to-do-list for uni, or the bike, or just with other shit. Tired all the time. Gets you down.
Glad I'm not the only one! It's mad mate.... When they said you wait, you'll get the bug. Didn't properly appreciate what they meant lol
I will lot more luck than u think. I will be enjoying the fun of mates and 24 hour racing during something I hear is going on around 12AM on the 14/15th June. So away for a week and will be enjoying the quiet roads while the whole of the UK watch TV. Going to be lovely. The only down side will be watching the plonkers with the mini flags people seem makes there cars look cool But I should talk less about this as it's given me that knuckle dragging feeling
Sometimes you just have to make time for stuff and accept that other things will have to wait/suffer. I'm currently balancing work, family, eldest and wife undergoing medical checks, poorly doggie, house refurb with all but 2 rooms back to brick, and the normal crap of a biggish house like 3 - 4 hours to mow the grass. Bike time has suffered and my cycling has almost ground to a halt despite knowing I am supposed to be doing a 50mile sportive in a few weeks. That however is life and next friday I will be taking a day off work, unpaid as I am a contractor, and doing a track day school day at Blyton. It might be my only riding time for a month and so I will try to savour it. As for friends, well most live miles away these days and so we rarely meet up, but make sure we have fun when we do. PS I don't expect any major free time until the house us sorted and sold which may be 5-10 years yet
Chin up mate! Many folk would love to be tired working, playing in a band, cracking onto birds at Uni, getting pissed with their mates and razzing bikes round a track at weekends. Ain't all bad But I share your pain lol
I know how you feel !! Working mon to fri from about 8.30 til near 6. Im up and about at about 7am most mornings to check stock market stuff to keep me ticking over. After that its gym time 5 nights a week which is a bitch coming back from injury in feb (separated shoulder & broken scaphoid) Factor in racing and test days some weekdays / weekends a month and the servicing and malarky the bike needs in between.... Then I have a mrs to keep happy at the weekends though im often called "the neglector" lol. Then try to fit mates in around that. Whats relaxing ?!?! Honestly the only time I feel disconnected from it all is at the circuit. Your biggest worry is how much petrol, are your tyres set right and how the feck to I get that extra 1s off per lap?
So with all this in mind I have decided that I will sack the gym off, leave the bike in the garage, washing in the wash bin and instead.. Sit down with a beer and a curry and watch the NW200 on bbcNI WIN.
Ey up mate, your only up the road from me. I will bring the Winnie over and you can relax with a nice cup of Yorkshire tea.