Starting A New Career At 50...

[Wolffarmer]

I grew up on the farm and farmed on my own for a few years. Plenty of part time jobs, Jobs that would only last part of a year. Seasonal jobs. Doing customer farm work for others. Got a college dgree in there someplace. Then when I was 51 I took my very first full time year round job, ever, when I went to work for Dell as a computer service tech, aka Phone slave. Yes I am one of those people you call when your computer, won't. Now I am in the server part of the business. Been there all most 6 years. AND I HATE THE CURSED PLACE. But it allowed me to buy my first house that is out in the country, 3 acres, machine shed, shop, lots of trees and it even came with a real tractor. And the benefits are nice. Never had health, dental, vision insurance before. What a concept. So, suck it up, try not to go insane, again. try to make it to my mid 60s. If I could physical work a job like Dean's sounds like heaven to me. But my knees are shot. Some fat person been walking on them for a few decades.

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

OK... It's been three weeks.
I wanna know when I'm not gonna be all sore when the week is over and when my Saturdays aren't gonna be a recoup day.
I hate feeling like a slug on the weekends.

[Bobgorilla]

OK... It's been three weeks.
I wanna know when I'm not gonna be all sore when the week is over and when my Saturdays aren't gonna be a recoup day.
I hate feeling like a slug on the weekends.

um How long until retirement, Dean?

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

um How long until retirement, Dean?

15 years or when TDN says to...

[Bobgorilla]

Let me answer this way, in my experience, when I was about 18 or 19, I could work from 6 am to 4pm go home get dinner nap for an hour get a shower and go out until it was 5 am get a shower and go to work for 3 or 4 days in a row, when I joined the Navy it got worse. And it always seemed one good night's sleep and I was fine. Now (I'm just barely younger than you) I missed some sleep on Tuesday from a toothache about 3 hours I'd guess. Slept 3 extra hours on Wednesday, 1 extra each on Thursday and Friday and I'm failing asleep watching 48 leading. So my guess is you'll get used to it about the time you don't need to do it anymore. Sorry

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

No way...
This 50 year old body is gonna get whipped into shape one more time.
During my commute the other morning, my mind began to think about making the commute to and from work on a bicycle each morning like I did when I worked in Arcata about 20 years ago...
My thoughts led on to get me to think once I'm in shape, I could then do a nice little half century each morning from Humboldt Hill, out through Freshwater, up Kneeland, down through Maple Creek, on to Korbel/Blue Lake and on to the shop near Guintolli Lane.
The mind remembers those things... Even if the body has forgot.
Took a look at my road bikes yesterday... Only about 1/4" buildup of sawdust on 'em. (Cleaned 'em last year)

[wolfix]

No way...
This 50 year old body is gonna get whipped into shape one more time.
During my commute the other morning, my mind began to think about making the commute to and from work on a bicycle each morning like I did when I worked in Arcata about 20 years ago...
My thoughts led on to get me to think once I'm in shape, I could then do a nice little half century each morning from Humboldt Hill, out through Freshwater, up Kneeland, down through Maple Creek, on to Korbel/Blue Lake and on to the shop near Guintolli Lane.
The mind remembers those things... Even if the body has forgot.
Took a look at my road bikes yesterday... Only about 1/4" buildup of sawdust on 'em. (Cleaned 'em last year)

Strange timing on this subject......... My riding buddy is moving either to eureka or redding next January. He's trying to convince me to spend my summers out there....... So most of the morning I have been crusinig the websites to get a feel for the weather there.
Cycling has always been a big part of my life. But this thing about not being able to ride year around is driving me bonkers. A half century a day will change your life.......... For the better.
What type of roadbikes are you going to dust off?

I have been a roadie all my life but seriously considering a flat bar road bike now........ beefier wheels and a more upright position.....

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Wolfix,
I've got a mountain bike with road slicks and (Now don't laugh 'cause this is gonna date me...) a Raliegh TEAM racer.
I'll need to spend at least a couple of months on the mountain bike, just to get use to riding again, before crawling on the TEAM.
I know, I know... Yes it's a dinasour by today's standards, but back when I rode competively it was the...
All steel frame, epoxied together, no double butts... A stiff light racer, great for fast downhills, tight turns and positive uphill pulls.
We've got probably the best century race in California up here... Tour of the Unknown Coast
Joanie will see these bike posts tomorrow and go, "Yaa Uh-Huh!"
OH... Find out for sure what town your buddy is moving to because there's a big temperature difference between Eureka and Redding during the summer... Like 50-60 degrees difference.

[wolfix]

Wolfix,
I've got a mountain bike with road slicks and (Now don't laugh 'cause this is gonna date me...) a Raliegh TEAM racer.
I'll need to spend at least a couple of months on the mountain bike, just to get use to riding again, before crawling on the TEAM.
I know, I know... Yes it's a dinasour by today's standards, but back when I rode competively it was the...
All steel frame, epoxied together, no double butts... A stiff light racer, great for fast downhills, tight turns and positive uphill pulls.
We've got probably the best century race in California up here... Tour of the Unknown Coast
Joanie will see these bike posts tomorrow and go, "Yaa Uh-Huh!"
OH... Find out for sure what town your buddy is moving to because there's a big temperature difference between Eureka and Redding during the summer... Like 50-60 degrees difference.

I noticed the big temperature difference on underground weather website. I do not like the heat...... I take it the weather in Eureka does not differ that much from month to go as far as highs go ......

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Yep... Us Fogcrawlers like it here on the coast.
This climate has kept redwood trees alive for thousands of years.

[halfdome, Danny]

Yep... Us Fogcrawlers like it here on the coast.
This climate has kept redwood trees alive for thousands of years.

Dean, not to get off topic too much but after 18 years, today I'm replacing some California Redwood 2"x4"decking since it has rotted & some has bug trails in it. Danny

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Hope the shoulder is comin' around Danny...

[halfdome, Danny]

Hope the shoulder is comin' around Danny...

Dean, It's comin' but r e a l - s l o w . Still have to sit up to get a good nights sleep How's yours doing now your working full time? Danny

[Gaelen]

OK... It's been three weeks.
I wanna know when I'm not gonna be all sore when the week is over and when my Saturdays aren't gonna be a recoup day.
I hate feeling like a slug on the weekends.

LOL...Dean, when you figure out how to have enough steam to go seven days, share the secret, ok?


(p.s. -- I started my current 'new career' at 45, and was planning to retire next spring. Now I'm committed to complete this project which will run at least another year. But at least the house and truck are paid for as planned...and while I love my job, my insurance and the kind of work I do, if those release packages appear, I am *very* ready!)

[The Teardrop Nanny]

Biking option reply # 1: Go, guy GO!! You are Awesome!

Biking option reply #2: Yah- uuh,huh You always say that.....
xoxox
TDN