I graduated college back in April, and have been basically devoting all of my time to cycling since then, but now I'm facing the reality that I need to get a job (student loans becoming due!) I'm dreading going from having plenty of time to ride to essentially none (other than the weekends).

How do you people in 9-5 type jobs manage to ride, moreover, manage to race, and be in top shape?

I'm in the best shape of my life right now, and I really don't want to lose it!

can easily ride for 3 or 4 hours ,traffic is lighter ,temps are cooler and I'am still in bed by midnight .thats with 2 jobs and 3 kids,laundry and house work .wife doesn't know half the time

I usually ride on the weekends or from 16-18 in the afternoon, after my wife comes home and can take care of our two children. It just isn't possible otherwise to ride everyday, especially with work, daycare, etc. If I'm lucky, I might squeeze in a short ride after lunch and before I pick up my children from daycare at 15.30, that's because I run my own business and schedule my time as my own.

Welcome to life and responsibility....................add a kid and a pet and you really have to manage time! I too had way too much time when I was in college, oh, let's say several years ago! I went to work full time and you just try to make time as best as possible. It will work out, maybe not to the volume you had in college but you can manage.

As the old cajun from the stands once said, "You can do it!" :D

I graduated college back in April, and have been basically devoting all of my time to cycling since then, but now I'm facing the reality that I need to get a job (student loans becoming due!) I'm dreading going from having plenty of time to ride to essentially none (other than the weekends).

How do you people in 9-5 type jobs manage to ride, moreover, manage to race, and be in top shape?

I'm in the best shape of my life right now, and I really don't want to lose it!

I started commuting- I could ride 3 hours/day "free"- as I would have driven and been to the gym in the same amount of time.

lifestyle is a choice

what job you take, where you live and how you travel between the two are all decisions within your sphere of influence

if I was in your shoes I would make sure that whatever job I took was a commute away from where I lived - invest in a solid commuter bike - get fenders, panniers, whatever you need to get between the two places and be presentable

post on the commuting board for tips - we're very friendly over there :-)

I have a young (and growing) family, a serious job which requires a suit five days a week, erratic, sometimes long hours, an active social life, friends, and a wife and son that I can't see enough of - commuting gets me 60-75 "free" miles every week - no need to feel guilt, ask for a pink pass or neglect other adult responsibilities - I'm just getting to and from work - I try to put in two long rides per month on the weekends

commuting keeps me in shape so I can go out on the weekend and enjoy rather than suffer through a long ride - commuting in all conditions and using the bike for utility rather than exclusively recreation builds new appreciation and skills - commuting is a great excuse to buy kit (no gas/public transport costs) - commuting is a great excuse to piece together a fixed gear/ss and try your hand at wrenching

all miles are good miles - you don't have to be on your #1 steed to enjoy and benefit - you'll feel like you're on a rocket when you do get back on to your preferred bike - BTW you'll develop an equally intense relationship with your commuter

so yes - you're now and adult and have to cut back some on play - but you get to choose your lifestyle - and being on a bike every day is realistic

It really depends on the type of job/profession you are in. I am lucky enough to have a job that allows me to work from home on most days. Instead of a lunch break, I go for a 20 mile ride. Even on the days that I have to go into the office, I will go for a ride as soon as I get home. I don't have any children, and my wife has a long commute so by the time she gets home, I have worked out, showered and am taking care of the household duties.

It really depends on the type of job/profession you are in. I am lucky enough to have a job that allows me to work from home on most days. Instead of a lunch break, I go for a 20 mile ride. Even on the days that I have to go into the office, I will go for a ride as soon as I get home. I don't have any children, and my wife has a long commute so by the time she gets home, I have worked out, showered and am taking care of the household duties.

I think cycling can work with any job/profession. What profession would it not be compatible with? I'm a commercial litigation lawyer - full on pin stripe suit 5 days a week - we don't do dress down - but my work clothes stay at work - my little boy will grow up thinking that all lawyers wear lycra all day - my wife is always surprised to see me in a suit.

I think cycling can work with any job/profession. What profession would it not be compatible with? I'm a commercial litigation lawyer - full on pin stripe suit 5 days a week - we don't do dress down - but my work clothes stay at work - my little boy will grow up thinking that all lawyers wear lycra all day - my wife is always surprised to see me in a suit.

I tend to agree with you MJ. A little planning is all that is really needed. I used to wear a suit everyday when I worked in banking, 8 years in total. I used to just leave my clothes at the office and bring a fresh change once a week. The problem or need for creativity, if you wish, comes when you don't have a locker or a shower at work, which we never had at the bank. Of course, my best job was at an outdoor store where they had a fully equipped bicycle room with storage for almost 30 bicycles for all the staff, a coded key pad on the door for security, and tools, workstands, and benches. To add to that, each employee had a locker and each bathroom / change room had three showers for the employees to use - now that was really nice.

Welcome to the realities of life. As M.J. pointed out, you now have the ability to incorporate cycling into your other responsibilities. Most people don't get that opportunity. They take up cycling after settling down and filling their time with other things.

The number one time waster is commuting to work by car. Plan to live close to your employeer. You've got it made right now. You can choose an employer and a place to live. Get yourself within biking distance of work and you've got it made.

Would you consider moving to a more bike friendly climate? Winters can be tough in MA. You should not feel tied down at 22. You will never again have as much freedom as you have right now. Take advantage of it.

As far as fitness/training time goes, ride at night, indoors, bike commute. There is plenty of time. you just have to take advantage of it.

I work five days a week. I'm young and not married so I still have plenty of time for myself. During all seasons but winter I'll casually ride 1-2 hours a few times per week on weekday evenings, and do longer rides on the weekend.

my first advice would be to worry about your debt first, and your cycling second. debt will hogtie you later in life if you don't take care of it. second, move. move to a warmer area that is cycling friendly. if you were to move to a place like pasadena, calif., for example, you'd get not only great weather, but also 45 minutes more daylight this time of year. third, you don't tell us your chosen profession, but look for a job that won't lock you in an office or a lab 50 hours a week. try to find something that offers flexible working hours and telecommuting.

come back to us when you have a life partner and/or a kid or two. then we'll really talk time management. good luck.

I work overtime and have two young toddlers and a house to take care of - the thing that amazed me the most about the cycling addiction was how early I was prepared to get up (and go to bed!). Now I meet up with a pal for our short training and recovery rides and head off way before 5am - the roads are clear and you get back before breakfast during full of energy - there's always enough time to do what you love.

Finding time to ride a bike while working a full time career is just like saving money to buy a sail boat. Make it the first priority. People who spend a bunch of time watching TV, playing video games, hanging out in bars, chillin' wit da homies, etc. have no basis to complain that they don't have enough time to ride. Pick a residence location that either allows you to ride or to commute to work. With a little imagination, anyone can find time to ride if they want to bad enough.

Sad short answer, at least for me, is that I'm not in the shape I was in my 20s. I used to be able to spend a couple of hours at the gym every day, with longer stuff (rides, hikes, runs) on weekends. I maintained that for about 5 years after college. You know, living in an apartment with generally a slightly less responsible job position and single.

But once in a higher pressure job, not being single, owning and caring for a home, and if you plug into anything else (I sit on a couple of non-profit boards)... I'm lucky to get an hour's worth of exercise for maybe 3-4 days of the workweek, and the rest is weekend warrior stuff. Sad but true. But heck, that downturn didn't really start 'til I was about 34 so you've probably still got some time and freedom (if you stay single that is!)

I graduated college back in April, and have been basically devoting all of my time to cycling since then, but now I'm facing the reality that I need to get a job (student loans becoming due!) I'm dreading going from having plenty of time to ride to essentially none (other than the weekends).

How do you people in 9-5 type jobs manage to ride, moreover, manage to race, and be in top shape?

I'm in the best shape of my life right now, and I really don't want to lose it!

In the winter, I ride during lunch. The rest of the year, I ride right after work. No husband, no kids, nothing weighing me down. Just get out and ride.

Yeah, I'll never be in the shape I was in in my early 20s when I had a slacker job, no wife, no kids, and could devote much of my free time to riding.

For me now, with a wife, two kids, demanding and time consuming job, 95-year-old house that always needs attention, it's tough.

My main riding comes from a daily 20-mile round trip commute. If I am lucky I can get up a bit early on the weekend and get in an hour ride or so. But that is it and I'm plenty happy with it.

I'm married, have a kid and an office job but I manage to ride quite a bit.
I just ride every thing and every way that I can.
Commute to work is good for an hour and a half a day
I night ride while the family sleeps
I get up early and ride before work
We do happy hour on bikes
I tow my son in his burley
And sorta evil but still gets the pedals turning is the sationary trainer and spin class.
And usually one big ride on the weekend.

I graduated college back in April, and have been basically devoting all of my time to cycling since then, but now I'm facing the reality that I need to get a job (student loans becoming due!) I'm dreading going from having plenty of time to ride to essentially none (other than the weekends).

How do you people in 9-5 type jobs manage to ride, moreover, manage to race, and be in top shape?

I'm in the best shape of my life right now, and I really don't want to lose it!

I commute by bike, and I make it a 41 mile round trip. To make it more interesting (and harder), I do it on a fixed gear bike.

I'm surprised at the number of people who say they ride at night as a means of finding more time to ride. Even with all the proper lights and reflective clothing, I just don't feel very safe at night unless I'm on a MUT. Am I making too much of the increased risks?

In the winter, I ride during lunch. The rest of the year, I ride right after work. No husband, no kids, nothing weighing me down. Just get out and ride.

I love my family and our life, but sometimes, like once a year for about 10 minutes, I think about when I was in Vonteity's situation. And just smile :) .

Wife, 3 school aged kids, and house for me. I do regret not riding and racing more when I was in my 20s, but I was into many other things then such as rock climbing, running, skiing, tennis, and more. These days my summer recreation is pretty much whittled down to one thing - biking. I definitely don't ride as many overall miles as I used to, and the 4 hour rides are pretty rare, but I've found that setting some goals and having more focused training allows me to still race with less time.

Here are some tips:
- Bike commute. Often I take the long way home, which can be a 40+ mile ride.
- Ride early mornings. I'm definitely not an early riser, so this takes dedication for me.
- Race or join a club. I find it focuses my training and my wife is more understanding when there is a purpose to what I'm doing.
- Don't work too much. 1) I've learned it's not worth it, and 2) job flexibility = happiness.
- Avoid long car commutes. I actually turned down a job last year in part because of the hellish commute. Man, what a way to waste your life!
- Avoid yard work. Maintenance free as possible baby! Ever hour of yard work is an hour I will never get back.

Even with all the proper lights and reflective clothing, I just don't feel very safe at night unless I'm on a MUT. Am I making too much of the increased risks?
As Kerry points out, it's all a question of how bad you want to do something. Of course it will depend on the area you live in. There may be roads that get little to no traffic after dark. You just need to be selective with what roads you choose. I know of people you will do laps around residential areas to get in some miles. Many of us just commute to/from work.

With 4 kids and a job, I have almost no time to ride apart from commuting. So I get about 20 miles in each day, five days a week, and sometimes get in longer (up to 500 mile) tours.

I'm approaching 50, and I don't race...

1. Get a job that leaves enough time to ride.

2. Commute and ride hard at least one way.

3. Run. I know this is heresy but, ime, I get a an adequate aerobic workout in less time running than I do cycling.

4. Do group rides that make riding about keeping a commitment to friends and not just about figuring out what you want to do when the time comes.

5. Use events as long term goals.

6. Make goals that fit in your life so you don't fall into an all or nothing kind of mindset.

Thanks for the excellent advise and words of wisdom, guys and girls. It is much appreciated. I'm pretty sure I want to stay in the greater Boston area, at least for now - even though the winters suck, it's good for a number of other reasons (including excellent MTB trails right near my house).

I'm currently looking at HR/recruiting/technical writing jobs. I have a sociology degree with a very high GPA and I'm an excellent writer, so the range of jobs I could do is pretty wide open, but most likely, it'll be a 9-5-type gig. I really don't think commuting is a viable option for me, espeically with the winters here. BUT, that doesn't mean I'm going to drive. I live right near the commuter rail, which goes right into town.


I'm surprised no one has mentioned spin classes as a good way to stay in shape when you can't find the time to ride. One of my mountain biking buddies highly reccomends them. I'll have to look into it I guess.

Also: much respect for you people with a spouse, kids, two jobs, and a house that constantly needs fixin' -- even when I start working full time I realize I'll probably never have as much free time as I do now....

Anyway, sorry about rambling, and once again, thanks for your replies. This site is a veritable font of insightful, useful information and very smart, knowledgeable people!

I graduated college back in April, and have been basically devoting all of my time to cycling since then, but now I'm facing the reality that I need to get a job (student loans becoming due!) I'm dreading going from having plenty of time to ride to essentially none (other than the weekends).

How do you people in 9-5 type jobs manage to ride, moreover, manage to race, and be in top shape?

I'm in the best shape of my life right now, and I really don't want to lose it!

I'm 27 years old.I work 9-5. I'm a single dad. My 5 year-old is in daycare while I'm working. (This limits my ride time because of the times I have to have the kid to/from the daycare.) These things all wreak havoc on my ability to ride.... so I thought. Then I REALLY started to think about how I could get more bike time in. Here's what I've come up with:

I commute by bicycle. Even on my "converted" mountain bike. 14 miles each way over rolling hills. Drop the boy off at 7. Ride into work. I'm showered and ready for the grind. I ride to the daycare. Hard. Fast. Fun. Pick the boy up. In the summer, I trailer him to/from daycare. Now that it's winter, I drive to the daycare and ride to work from there.

In the summer, I have a weekly group ride I do that's 1/8 mile from the house. I grab a sub sandwish on the way to the starting point, eating on the way (quiet subdivision), and then start the ride with those guys.

On non-group days... I go home, cook, then go out to ride after the dishes are all soaking in hot soapy water. My boy and I will be out for another 60-90 minutes. I come home and put him to bed. Now... it's 8:30... what to do... I KNOW! I prepare tomorrow's meal. That's right... measuring, cleaning stuff, etc. When I cook, it's like the TV chefs do it with just about everything ready to just dump in, mix, and cook. It makes it FAST! .. THEN I do up all of the dishes that need to be handled. Do some housework, etc. Prepare my clothes in my messenger bag for the next day's commute. Put out my cycling gear. Shower. Sleep.

Most days, I can get 2-4 hours of riding in. Weekends.... WOOHOO! I'll put in 12 hour days. Now... I don't ride with the boy when it's rainy or crappy outside. But the commute happens rain or shine.

I don't do much computer gaming (i was once a computer geek). I don't code. I don't spend a lot of time with other hobbies. I don't have a girlfriend. But I get lots of time on my bike. I set my priorities and I'm happier for it.

lifestyle is a choice


THANK YOU!

my first advice would be to worry about your debt first, and your cycling second. debt will hogtie you later in life if you don't take care of it.
C'mon Dad- don't be such a buzzkill.

Yes, debt can hogtie you later in life, but so can putting living aside to pay it off. No mistake is worse than wasting youth. This is why people have mid-life crises. Becoming a salesman might be the most fun you can have in your twenties for some people,
but for some it's a way to pay off debt, and before you know it you're Shelley Levene, hoping to win that set of steak knives. Learning to balance work and play is the most valuable skill you can learn in your twenties, and it is one that is harder to learn later in life.

THANK YOU!

you may be reading something in to that which was not intended :-]

I graduated college back in April, and have been basically devoting all of my time to cycling since then, but now I'm facing the reality that I need to get a job (student loans becoming due!) I'm dreading going from having plenty of time to ride to essentially none (other than the weekends).

How do you people in 9-5 type jobs manage to ride, moreover, manage to race, and be in top shape?

I'm in the best shape of my life right now, and I really don't want to lose it!

How fast are you? How's your interest in racing?

This might be an out of date idea, but if your ride buddies wish you were really racing, if people go white when you hit the front to pull, if you top big climbs and realise why all the folk behind you went quiet - how about a winter stockpiling funds, then head for somewhere with real quality bike racing and see if you've got what it takes to make a living being in great form.

It used to be Belgium.

If you're good enough, it still looks possible to make a living without being Lance #2 - there's plenty of domestiques around who make a living from pro racing. Far-fetched? maybe, but you will never know unless you try.

That's scarey - but how many riders are around who could have made it if they hadn't really wanted a wife, kids, mortgage yadda, yadda? instead of a tenuous shot at glory. In moments of rose-coloured retrospection, I can look back to when Belgium was close to 'next door' to where I lived and put myself in that position.

I don't think I'd have made much, but I'd have tried. All I know now is that I didn't

The only other answer is you ride when you ain't working or called on to do 'other stuff'.

The solution is down to you...

Good luck

Dereck

C'mon Dad- don't be such a buzzkill.

Yes, debt can hogtie you later in life, but so can putting living aside to pay it off. No mistake is worse than wasting youth. This is why people have mid-life crises. Becoming a salesman might be the most fun you can have in your twenties for some people,
but for some it's a way to pay off debt, and before you know it you're Shelley Levene, hoping to win that set of steak knives. Learning to balance work and play is the most valuable skill you can learn in your twenties, and it is one that is harder to learn later in life.

You gotta like a forum where the odd Glengarry Glen Ross referance is made. Definitley not going to happen on the MTBR Downhill forum. ;)

I'm surprised at the number of people who say they ride at night as a means of finding more time to ride. Even with all the proper lights and reflective clothing, I just don't feel very safe at night unless I'm on a MUT. Am I making too much of the increased risks?

Yes I think you are.

1. I find that cars give me a WIDER berth at night, because they don't really know what all the flashing lights are about (this assumes you get some serious lighting front and rear).
2. Traffic is lighter, compared to traditional commute times and especially late afternoons.

im in the same boat, i have no job. Just got done with college 2 mondays ago. I signed up at a communty college to keep my parents health insurance. This will give me more time to find the job i want. Right now im in good cycling shape, and i will have alot of trouble riding less then 10 hours a week.

How do I do it?

I am 48 years old and picked up cycling in February 2005 (yes, this year). In that time I managed to put 2,400 miles on my bike, do a organized century ride and Ride the Rockies. I'm by no means a racer type -- just along for the touring and want to get into shape. Lost 22 pounds too!

I ride early in the mornings before work, 3 times a week usually (18-35 miles). I start at the first light. If it is too cold (below 35F for me), then I rug up and put on my MP3 player and go for a walk. Alternate days I do weights to work up my upper body. I have better control of my mornings than I do my afternoons. I usually work a 10 hour day. Weekends are reserved for long rides, but then again, I need to get out early in the morning before the weekend honey-dos need to be done.

Conflicts arise sometimes and I miss my ride. I just get kind of grumpy and wait until the next day. You're going to have to trade off stuff. It's just life happening to you.

So you have to get a job. Hey, don't sweat it. You can fit riding into your schedule like I do.

Heck, I work 60 hours a week on two jobs, am finishing up my PhD in biochemistry, have a wife, 3 kids, 2 dogs and spend one weekend a month in the army reserves(which sometimes necessitates time in Iraq). I also volunteer to work nights at the local homeless shelter, and my church activities require my attendance at least 3 times a week. I visit my folks in the old age home when I can, and still I find time every single day to ride my bike for at least 40 miles.

How do I do it?

Its simple really. I usually ride when others are asleep. As long as the temp does not drop below minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit I can manage a nightime ride in total darkness. Often I still have my pajamas on underneath my monstrous Down jacket. In instances where this is not possible, I can almost always incorporate my riding into my work environment. For examples, during my tours in Iraq, I managed many an opportunity to grab my Colnago and ride alongside the tanks and Humvees. While the other soldiers simply pushed on the gas pedal...I was out there cranking the pedals at 120 rpm ( aka Lance Armstrong)!

Sound a little far - fetched. Are you doubting my honesty? You think I'm making this up?

OK Ok.... The truth is I don't ride a Colnago. But everything else is 100% true. Oh yeah, and I'm not married, I have no kids, no schoolwork, no volunteer work, no army reserves, no NOTHING. That's rights...I live alone, work evenings and still don't have the energy to ride my bike except on weekends. HaHaaaaah! That's right...no energy!! To add insult to injury, I enjoy sleeping and have been known to sleep for 12 hours in a stretch! 12 hours of sleep. When I could be riding!!! Does that make me a bad person?

Don't answer that.

I have an 18 month old and another on the way. I've had a hard time fitting riding into the schedule. I would commuteby bike, but I leave work at around 6 pm and my daughter goes to bed at 7-7:30. I would only get 15 minutes with her a day if I commuted. I love my daughter more than my bike!!! My only real solution to staying fit is to ride on a stationary after my daughter and wife are in bed. I get an hour or two of "riding" in a night. It's not the same as riding on the road, but you have to pick your priorities and being a dad came first! I try to get out for longer rides on the weekends, usually before the wife and kids are up. I've been able to keep in shape and I haven't noticed any performance issues on the group rides.

Interesting thread...I've been adjusting to this very thing over the years. I'm 32, married, 2 kids, house, and a full time job that likes to send me places for days at a time.

I think the first thing I had to come to terms with is not to compare myself to myself at 18. Back then I was really fast, but also had to no job, lived at home, and just ate, slept and rode my bike and did 6500 miles a season. It's unreaslistic to think I could ever be at that fitness level now given all the other responsibilities I have, not to mention 14 years older.

I've had to force myself to get up at 5 and go ride until 7, at least in the summer when the light and weather permit it, even though I am not a morning person at all. I also commuted to work, 17mi round trip. Evenings are out, it's family time and my wife is about stir crazy after being home all day with them herself, plus it's the only time I see my kids. The compromise is that I get Saturday morning as a ride day. So, 6am-noon on saturdays is free ride time. I would try to get 90-100 miles in with a group of club and tri riders. I might be able to get out for an hour or two on sunday afternoon while the kids are napping. For the winter, it means rollers for me.

It's a life adjustment that is just reality.

brewster

I'm 44, married with no kids. As an IT professional, my schedule is constantly changing. Add personal responsibilities and committments and I'm all over the map.

I still try to accomplish 100 miles of riding per week. I can usually accomplish that with a stationary trainer.

After work, chores, errands, and family responsibilities, I will setup my trainer and spin late in the evening or early in the morning. Personally, I concentrate on different disciplines by using Spinervals or Carmicheal Training Systems DVDs.

Then the remainder of the weekend can be set aside for fun rides, long distance rides, or group rides.

This has proven beneficial for me because I can enjoy my weekend rides rather than feel compelled to accomplish intensity or mileage. I've already reached my committed mileage indoors earlier during the week.

I find that its best for me to fit my weekday rides in before work. Every employer I have had for the last 20 years (all in tech) has had no problem with me coming in at 10am. Even in winter that leaves enough time for a two hour daylight ride if I get up early enough.

OK, here is one from the other side of the spectrum. I’m going to turn 33 next Monday and I’m in about the best shape of my life. Also, you have to look at the bright side. Now I can afford to buy bikes and gear I couldn’t ever afford until now. I work 4-10 hour days and commute 90 miles per day in the car. I work from 4:30a.m. to 3:00p.m. plus, an hour drive each way. While riding to work has crossed my mind it’s really not feasible for me so, I make the most of my weekend. As with any training program I try to have a hard fast day, a long slow day, and a couple of easy days in there. I almost always leave Friday nights open for my wife and 3 year old son. Saturday I commute to and from my club ride so, that makes my slow easy ride (other than picking on each other a little). Sunday I’ll mountain bike or do a shorter group ride. Monday I train with a couple of team racers so, there’s my fast day. Now I’ve learned that recovery is just as important as training so, by Tuesday I’m more than ready for a day off. This allows my wife to do her things. Wednesday I do an after work mountain bike ride by bringing my bike to work with me. This is usually kind of an interval work out for me. I’ll charge the hills then wait for the other guys from work. Thursday if I can fit in a quick run or ride I will if not it’s rest for the weekend. In addition to this I try to run at least twice a week either outside or on the treadmill. I also try to hit the weight machine in the garage at least once a week. Plus any time I can talk my wife into riding or running we bring my son so, I’m either pushing the jogger or pulling the trailer. I try to make the rule that we ride to go out to eat on the weekends (some times that works). I shoot for 10-15 hours a week of training; not too bad. What I wind up with is low on mileage but high on quality. This week I’ll only wind up with about 225miles but their quality miles not recovery miles. Without a very understanding wife none of this could happen. Of course I would love to ride 6-7 days per week and shorter rides but this is what I have to work with. I would say you just have to really think about any moves you make such as a mate, job, move, etc. Think about what is most important to you and how you can make it work.

Todd

Don't say you will never again have the time to do what you are doing now. I recently retired and have plenty of time for riding. When I worked I did the best I could with fitness as a constant goal. I didn't want to wait this long to get control of how I spend my time (nobody does), but like most folks I had to compromise somewhat for my jobs and family. You are in one of those life moments that you will look back on and cherish. Other opportunities may come when you will have time on your hands and you know how to put it to good use. Just stay focused on your personal goals and take care of yourself. Lots of good suggestions from these folks going thru the mill; just thought maybe I'd give a shout from the other end of the line.

OK Ok.... The truth is I don't ride a Colnago. But everything else is 100% true. Oh yeah, and I'm not married, I have no kids, no schoolwork, no volunteer work, no army reserves, no NOTHING. That's rights...I live alone, work evenings and still don't have the energy to ride my bike except on weekends. HaHaaaaah! That's right...no energy!! To add insult to injury, I enjoy sleeping and have been known to sleep for 12 hours in a stretch! 12 hours of sleep. When I could be riding!!! Does that make me a bad person?

Don't answer that.
Hah! You really had me going there! I must admit I've been known to sleep 12 hours in a stretch, too! And often I have a hard time finding the energy to ride....I don't even want to know what my energy level will be like when I'm older!

I'm in the same boat as you, to a certain extent. I just graduated UC with a degree in English and journalism, and now I'm trying to get a career going as opposed to serving foie gras to rich people like I've been doing for the past several years. Basically, a real 9-5 gig. After working the 4-11 PM shift like I've been doing, the transition will be a rather difficult one to make. However, the best part about working a second-shift job is that you're off of work in the morning, which allows for a great deal of riding time and training. I hate working second-shift, but I love the fact that I can get some solid miles in and still have plenty of time to maintain my other major obligation, i.e. the girlfriend.

Now that I have my degree, I'm definitely not so inclined to continue working the same hours as I've been. I want the 9-5 desperately, as I'm so much more of a morning person than a late night owl. How many people my age can say that? But I also make an effort to commute and my current employer has been somewhat accommodating.

I think you just have to make the time to ride. As with everything else in life - if you want it, you can have it, but you've gotta work for it.