Hi chaps,
I'm going contracting next year (System Architecture / Analysis), I'm conceded to the fact that I will be away from home 4 nights a week.
For those of you that do the same, how do you manage with fitting in riding or training? During spring and summer I'm riding 4 quality days a weeks.
Cheers
Ricks
Not a contractor but do travel a bit for work, so keep the bike in the car.
With wheels off it fits in the boot no probs.
I keep thinking of the phrase "playing away from home" when I read the thread title. 🙂
Wheels seatpost and bars off and fits totally in car boot with a big chain through it and locked to the isofix points in the boot, bit more hassle to fix bars back on. It not really a problem
Try and stay in a hotel where I can park the car backed right up to a wall or hedge to make boot access harder
Take all my kit into the hotel
Also have whelbags so if I want I can take them into hotel too
Don't go away that often these days butthis year I rode glentress, inners, Comrie croft, carron valley, gisburn, whinlatter and ae all after work or to break up the journey there and back
I don't as I'm not able to store a bike anywhere when away but I do go to the gym three times a week. A hours worth of weights then a hours spinning class. Got to be doing some good!
Normally try to make it home on a Wednesday evening so nothing then.
Not sure of the problem? Presumably you'll be in one location for the contract's duration rather than moving around.
Are you worried about the lack of riding places where you work, or of safe storage for your bike? I'd normally get a flat or apartment. If anything it's a bit easier- in most contracts lack of career pressure means sticking to contracted hours is easier.
So.... what you're saying try to get contracts that are close to one of the Seven Stanes?
Sweeeeeeeeeeet.
Unfortunately, most of my work is in the South East, or where I am at the moment.
Plenty of good riding in the South East... even for a man who'd like to stick close to trail centres 😉
Er.. I took my bike, obviously! My recent contract was in the South East, in Aldershot, which is surrounded by tons of sweet biking. Not a problem.
I stayed in a hotel and took my bike in a bike bag. Until the hotel got to know me and they let me park it in a store-room.
Am away quite a bit and bike in car or store at hotel never a problem. Usually use a GPS and ride off road, just plut a route and follow the line. I try to make sure I have enough water, spare food in my room or car just in case, and take plenty of bags for cold, wet, muddy kit - tend to rinse out in the hotel shower also....( :?)
These days I seem to have a bit more choice on where I stay so base my location where I want to ride rather than mega close to where the work is...
Cool, all sounds fine to me. I'm guessing hooking up with locals from here for a night ride would be handy.
I'll probably be on 3 - 6 months contracts, I'd prefer to keep them short and move about for experience and tax.
A road bike helps - some places have good road riding but not MTBing. Like Reading or Newbury, for instance.
Not a contractor, but work away from home a lot (usually cities - Cardiff, London or Edinburgh)
Have tried taking my bike a few times, but far too much hassle re booking on trains, finding safe storage when I'm in a meeting, etc. Am now considering getting a folding bike - not one of the Brompton clown bikes, but a proper alternative to a 'normal' bike.
Have used STW occassionally to see if anyone fancies meeting up, but I think that would be easier if I had a 'gender-neutral' forum name! I seem to get somewhat mis-interpretated ...
I am and I dont - far too much hassle.
If it's a medium/long term contract, I try to get in a shared house w/garage. Failing that, try to sound out staff guys who are into biking and leave your bike with them.
I travel mon to fri every week, all over the UK.
My bike is always in the boot. It can be a hassle in winter when you are getting muddy, but find a side entrance to the hotel ! where the staff wont see you.
I like it from a biking point of view, I get to ride all over UK during the week, then my local patch with mates on a weekend.
Not really any hassle at all tbh
not one of the Brompton clown bikes, but a proper alternative to a 'normal' bike
www.dahon.com
Ha yeah rickon I am lucky I've been working occasionally in Perth or Cumbernauld in Scotland for 2 years so never far from 7 Staines or great riding be passing in way up or near where I stay
Nature of my job though that often site visits are out in the sticks