Lionheart. I do.

Currently the same poll running on a forum on investmentbankers.co.uk is 97% option 1.

I noticed that on a friends Stumpjumper (I assume the routing is the same) but he said he’d never had a problem with it? It looked right in the line of fire from any rocks but i guess the chainrings protect it to a certain extent?

Well on the basis of that landslide victory for option 2 (and considerable discussion with pregnant wife who will paying for my bike parts from now on) I have handed in my notice. I won’t ruin the illusion by saying just how much influence this post had but rest assured i be blaming you lot if it all goes horribly wrong 😉

Just trying to avoid the inevitable fallout that my resignation is causing now!

Marcus, I hear you but I’ve worked in the public sector before so I’m going in eyes wide open. It is indeed a world full of red tape and bureaucracy but in the environmental sector I’m in that happens largely whether in private or public. Just got to find ways to work around it or become part of it!

Uponthedowns. Very good point and one I’ve considered but it is a training position so they’d be unwilling to lose someone who they’ve invested in. I also asked at interview and they gave reassurance that it would be pretty secure and they don’t operate on a ‘last in first out basis’. To be honest the chances of me being in Option 1 in three years time (the length of the contract in Option 2) are minimal as I’ll either have had a breakdown or been sacked in one of the bosses fits of rage (employment law be damned!).

The prospect of a new bike through the cycle to work scheme of course hadn’t crossed my mind!

NZCol, it’s not a competition but i don’t mind admiting I can’t help comparing salary with peers from time to time. Having said that there’s no way I can compete with some old school friends who are on 6 figures in ‘the city’ Hell their bonuses put my salary in the shade! That said i wouldn’t swap with them for the world, and I actively chose a career that would never bring me big bucks.

It’s good to know others would do the same!

So, about 50:50 then!? Hah.

TandemJeremy, you’re dead right and I had thought exactly that. There are even more positives with 7 days more holiday in option 2.

My only nagging doubt is “am i taking the easy way out” but that thought will be so far out of my mind when I leave work at 3:30pm and jump on my bike before getting home to see the little ‘un! There’s an element of fearing it’s the ‘grass is always greener syndrome’ but I’ll never know till I get in that field I guess!

I’ve got a new addition (the first/only?) due in September. My wife and I have talked about both taking on sole responsibility (if that makes sense) from time to time to allow the other a breather. Obviously the plans will most likely be torn up when the sprog turns up but I’m appreciating some of the advice on here. If I can sort a job change the current road bike commute might change to an offroad one which would help, and create more time for everything. Regardless I’m hoping for an evening ride and the odd weekend and still leave plenty of time for parenting.