All I can say is been there, done that. In my twenties I travelled and even ended up in a new country, then I started the trip up the corporate ladder, got married, had kids. Thirty years pass, the kids are grown up the marriage had gone the way 50% of them do and I suddenly thought I've got new opportunities and now I'm traveling again.

Do I regret those thirty years, not a bit - they were an essential part of making me who I am and I enjoyed them (well most of them). For me what kept the connection alive during that time was always owning a bike and trying to use it almost everyday (just because you wear a suit doesn't mean you have to give up commuting on a bike - though I admit living in Australia this is probably easier than UK). Enjoy the next few years, variety is the spice of life.

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Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/

Ditto! I spent from the day I left school until I was 36 travelling either with work or on my bikes. Earned good money never saved etc etc. at 36 I got all sensible but the travel thing is in you! I realized after a while of resenting my "normal" life that it was merely an interlude....which lasted ten years but in that ten years I managed to lay the foundations for the future and to resume my reason for living..... Now I'm 53 and resumed all be it shorter travels 5 years ago.... Just to let you know it is possible to have a happy medium and travel the world without turning your back on your world. Knowing what your missing will make you appreciate the moments no matter how short you can get on the bike and travel because not all of it has to be epic! ( well not as epic as my ramblings here!! )

Mal.

Oh my, that's a cruel reality to yearn for isn't it
Don't worry too much Ted, just treat this time like a flat tyre. Sometimes you have to stop, repair & look around you. Enjoy it regardless

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My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

Ted's original post made me feel somewhat depressed because it appeared to be signalling the end of something for him but thanks to you, backofbeyond, I am now enveloped in a new burst of enthusiasm, joy and adventure. You should become a motivational speaker for people who are feeling down on their luck!

I spent most of my twenties forging a career and climbing the property ladder - it seemed to be the thing to do, I worked with people who were exactly the same and I suppose it was mildly competitive. My job involved a huge amount of worldwide travel anyway. Once in my thirties I was pretty keen to break free from the career thing, don't really know what changed but girlfriend was up for a career break as well. We sold our house and set off and had a great time but other things come into play not least the biological clock so we now have two children and the memories of a great time travelling.

Heading towards retiement in a few years I'm really glad we didn't do what many do and wait until we retired to scratch the travelling itch but we are looking forward to a few more adventures in our more sedate years.

Horses for courses ol mate, you did the right thing and you're still doing the right thing! Come what may, you have the adventure spirit well instilled and it will never leave you / us! I'm in a similar boat, housing market in free fall, cant get what I need to retire, even if I did I'm the primary carer for my 86 year old overly independent Mum! I can still manage day rides maybe a weekend away with a bit of planning. Just glad I did the miles when I could regardless of the $$$ consequences. There will be more, lots more, it's just a time thing mate

Hi Ted,

I had a relative who lived in Netherlands, he spent the last 20 years biking all over Europe. He had a 9 to 5 but was away to a rally, or a festival every weekend throughout year. He met lots of interesting people and had many good times making for great stories. Granted not quite a RTW life changer but never the less I was always wishing I could do that. Meanwhile back int the UK I did the whole Career, Wife, Mortgage, kids Thing. Whenever we met I would say how jealous I was of his lifestyle. He said it was great but he just wanted what I had, a family of his own. Now he is back in the UK, working and married. Does he miss it? yep but another chapter in his life has begun. At least doing it that way round he (and you) gets best of both worlds.
For myself and most others who wait till the mortgage is paid off and the kids are old enough to fend for themselves are finding that now we need to look after our aging parents. We are also quite content and by all accounts we're hard wired for comfort after 40.
Your new business sounds exiting and I wish you all the best, I might roll by that way and say Hi sometime (if there is a Starbucks nearby, don't want to scratch the GS ).

Anyway I recon you could still do a big trip it would just take some good planning!

Best regards,
Dave.

Kettle is always on

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

It’s good to see the opinions from both sides. Personally I’m the opposite to Ted as I spent the early years settling down with my wife, 3 kids, career and big mortgage. No regrets at all as I’ve always had a bike, done the rally scene and short ish trips to France, Belgium etc.

Now approaching 50, I manage to get away a few times a year around both UK and Europe. Yes there is a dream of doing the big one but for me it’s all about the time, the money and the compromise.

Last year I did a 13 day 3K ride from UK to Croatia and back on an old 99 plate Fazer 600 with 50K miles. People said I was mad taking a ‘small old bike’ on a trip like that. WTF???

For me it’s not about having a big GS with all the TT dogs danglies that get little or no use (apologies to those that do use them!). I took what I have been maintaining and riding daily for the past 6 years. I just slung over some soft panniers, packed a tent and off I went with 3 mates. I know it’s nothing compared to what a lot of you have done, but for me it was ‘my trip’ with limited time and budget.

I had a great time, especially the passes in Slovenia, Italy and France . And regarding the compromise… well it cost me a family holiday to Egypt for the wife and kids 

Last weekend I did a round trip of 700 miles from Bristol to the Lake District (its certainly rains a lot up there ) and if you know who was the white van man that nearly took us out on the Hard Knott Pass, please tell him politely (big stick optional) not to do it again.

It was funny though to see a mate being chased on his bike by a cow at the bottom of Wrynose pass (Cow = Moo Moo type… and not the variety that sits on the back and nags a lot)

Have fun all – do what you can, when you can, no matter how small the trip, just get out and enjoy it while you can still get your leg over (the bike that is)…

Bones

They're always the best trips....

Humble and simple is the way.

Forget all the bling and glamour

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Enjoyed all the contributions to this thread. My story may help in your choice of a path to take.

As a Kiwi we are known for our nomadic lifestyles. Three of us went abroad after university aged 22. I landed a corporate job, bought a house , got married, had kids. By 36, I had nearly paid of my house. My job was interesting, took me all over and gave me financial freedom and satisfaction. It was not all smooth sailing - had a couple of peaks and a few deep troughs- but they help mould who you are

My two friends continued to travel and finally settled down at 36, and took on marriage, kids and at 68 are still working to make ends meet.

My corporate job gave me a pension, I invested into some property over the years and took early retirement at 58. I am lucky to have good health and an understanding spouse who while not accompanying me on my bike travels does not stop me from going as long as I stay in daily contact.

Now live on the beach in NZ, about 20 minutes from a small service town and travel 6/9 months of the year. We have motor homed through Europe for 4 years, I did some bike trips through Europe, Morocco, Turkey, New Zealand and rode three months around Central America on a Suzuki 125. Currently we are Rving in the USA and plan to do this for 4/5 months a year for the next few years. Last year I rode a push bike around Cuba for 7 weeks and covered 2000 miles.

I had plenty of five star travel when I was working so the luxury end does not appeal. As long as the room is clean, reasonably quiet and I can get a cold , reasonable food and wifi I am happy. And of course my Kindle

Am I happier than my mates? Happiness is subjective but I have more options than them so am probably more content.

My lifestyle is not expensive compared to my golfing and cruising friends. I don't drink a lot, pay no rent in NZ and survive without an smart phone and branded gear. I like driving around in my 4wd diesel pickup and my V strom is 8 years old. I got rid of all my suits and ties and have some jeans, shirts and a nice jacket and trousers for going out. Live mainly in shorts, t shirt and flip flops.

My next bike tour is 3 months through Peru and Ecuador starting in late Sep 2016. I have bought a Chinese bike and had it prepped etc. If it fails or I cannot sell it at the end well I lost $1600 spread over 3 months or $20 a day.
Cheap really for the experience.

A phrase I heard at a retirement seminar was "at 60 you have 10 good years. " Not so I have met many seniors who are still travelling in RV's and on bikes at 70 plus. Maybe not doing the hard yards . I still ski and dive with younger mates and although not as quick or air friendly I am not that far behind.

My plan is to keep riding and travelling for as long as I am not a responsibility on my host country. When I am I will take up golf - but cruising no way.

Ride safe

Peter

Ted, you aren't alone mate, I managed to travel and dodge marriage until my mid 30's - the only saving grace is the wife likes to travel too and we have been through West Africa and South America together. Now at 47 Im sat here on a small island in Western Canada with 2 mortgages, a dog and a cat wondering - like you, when the next trip ( Vladivostok to Europe) is going to happen, I've resigned to the realty that it may be a while and at least I've got plenty of local riding to do here in our 'back yard'

Chin up mate

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca