This past winter I spent some time pretending to be an adult and quickly discovered that it really wasn’t for me. I’d first set up camp in the frosted back woods of Alberta where I’d found a new job with a pipeline company. The job wasn’t entirely terrible - I wasn’t expected to work all that hard, we spent the majority of our days outdoors, and a generous amount of free coffee was at my disposal each day. But soon after realizing that my coworkers didn’t enjoy smiling or talking about bicycles, the dollar-bills no longer seemed to be a fair trade for my frozen toes.
So I retreated home to Kamloops and found an alternative winter job at a plywood plant. The work was remarkably repetitive and dreadfully boring, but my coworkers were all very nice individuals and the schedule was fantastic. However; there was no coffee available, no music playing, and still nobody enjoyed talking about bicycles. My interest began dwindling rather quickly. I started to feel down on myself. Like I was incapable and couldn’t function in a grown up workplace. The positions I had applied myself to were only meant to be short term projects for saving extra money over the winter, but that was beside my worries. My typical routine of daily shredding and bicycle sales is considerably more hectic, so why couldn’t I find any flow with these temporary positions?
I was troubled about it until late one night when reality suddenly dawned on me. I’m a bike bum. You would think I’d have sorted that out for myself quite some time ago, but it never occurred to me until the end of a string of night shifts spent battling caffeine withdrawals and humming my own sleep deprived songs. I’m a bike bum and I’m digging the way it rolls off my tongue. Often people enjoy using the term “bum” in a derogatory sense, and I have never been a fan of labeling things, but I’m certain this is an appropriate label for me. In a number of different ways, being a bike bum has allowed me a really rad life up to this point. So I am going to keep rolling with it, and I don’t see why that needs to change anytime too soon.
Because of bicycle bummin’ I’ve learned to live quite healthily. I get more fit and flexible as time goes on, and I’m continually learning new ways to eat healthier and find more energy. If not for my commitment to being a bike bum, I’d never have fallen in love with yoga or discovered a sense of self preservation. I’d be a real mess of a human if I’d never gotten so deep into this mountain biking thing.
Being so deep into my career as a bum has provided me with a lot of invaluable experiences. One time I was invited to camp on the side of a mountain in the early stages of winter and ride my bicycle down the scariest slopes I’d ever seen. On another occasion I visited an event in France where people gathered from around the world to celebrate shredding on big travel bicycles in the nasty Portes du Soleil mountains. On a regular basis, I have the chance to spend valuable time with the most creative people on the planet - who I am also honored to call my friends - and perform in front of their picture taking and video making machines. And in addition to these highlights, simple day to day riding around home is often more enchanting than my wildest daydreams.
Over all these years of bummin’ around with my bicycle I’ve crossed paths with some truly remarkable individuals. Some reside nearby and I consider them great friends, while others find shelter in far away worlds and are merely acquaintances. But bicycles create quick connections and build strong bonds that abolish the barriers between different people. Sometimes it can be as simple as sharing a single lap, just a few turns on a trail, and I’ll discover a friendship that lasts a lifetime.
And finally, perhaps the most exhilarating aspect of my life as a bike bum is that I’ve discovered the ability to share all of these aforementioned positives with people all around me. Through story telling, coaching camps, physically placing people on bicycles at work, and simply just living this way, I have the chance to make people smile and possibly inject a new excitement into their lives. That feels like a special task and one that I could never aspire to without being such a bum.
Now after a vision quest of a winter, I feel more motivated than ever to maintain my bum status. Although there is little in the way of a guaranteed future, I'm too damn inspired everyday to stop trying. Riding a bicycle makes me happy, standing around in the cold and stacking sheets of plywood do not. If I can go to work drinking coffee and listening to music, talking about bicycles and smiling, and being around people who enjoy the same...
I think I’ll be bummin’ around for a long, long time.
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***Easy - just don't have any.
Man if I could just bum and work in a shop, wrenching and helping people find the ride they wanted that would be the SHIT! Sure, it's feasible, maybe I'll do it someday. Even better would be to learn how to tig weld and go work for a company like Moots or something.
Industry deals are only worth so much, and with my work schedule, I am still able to ride 4-6 times per week (for more than 3 hours each time if I choose), and I still have a kid, still spend time with my wife, still own mid- to top of the line bikes (and so does my wife), still have a pass for the local bike park, and still get to hang out with riding buddies. Not only that, I do all my own work on my bikes, and that I DO have working in shops to thank for.
If you enjoy retail, low wages, and riding some of the time, then sure, stay working in a shop/retail (although MacDonalds will give you better pay, benefits, and more time off to ride...). But, going back to school, getting an applicable (key word) diploma/degree, and stabilizing yourself financially opens a hell of a lot more doors, and then people also won't talk to you condescendingly every time they come into a shop.
I commend Mr. Shredhard on his ability to live the lifestyle on a limited budget, and within the constraints that he puts upon himself - I wish I could do the same, but alas, I'm far too much of a mediocre rider to get free bikes, components, etc...
You're one of the most close-minded ones on pinkbike man.
Go make $9 and hour and travel all over the world to the best places to ride while taking care of your rent and taxes all the while being single and lonely.
This article is about quality of life. He has found it riding his bike which surrounds him with positive people and has even made him a healthier person by eating right, doing yoga and smiling a lot! Of course having money is great, but if chasing the $$ gives you a terrible quality of life, then it's not worth it. Everyone needs to find what works for them.
Anyone that thinks their kids have any responsibility to look after them is a f*cking a*shole. Even worse are the douche buckets that have kids just for those reasons. Live a healthy lifestyle & the chances that you'll need any assistance are greatly reduced. In countries where children aren't so often born in a disadvantaged state, the country is most likely one that looks after its people. If it isn't, then it is one awful shit hole to be creating more life in (sorry, you live in one of those) & in such cases, those kids will have enough trouble looking after themselves. It is foolish & selfish for a parent to expect anything from their kids.
I don't give a flying f*ck how anyone lives their life as long as they mind their own business & don't cause any problems for anyone else.
DarrenDouche, I think you have "bike bum" confused with "pro". They're not the same thing.
Also, who says you can't have both?? Do you think most of the people who ride are all single without kids? It's called managing your time wisely. Most people sit in front of the TV playing games or watching TV....others will get their asses on the bike. To each their own.
Even though I'm of the minority here I still stand behind what I said earlier. It's not an easy choice for all. If it is then do it, Seriously, it's your life to get married or not, to ride or not, to have kids or not. Who gives a flying f*ck what you do with your life as long as it's your choice but don't sit here and tell me it's an easy choice.
I'll work hard, make a good honest living have a family and teach my kids how to ride and all the while I'll be f*cking riding till the day I can't.
It's about priorities. For some people, the priority is work (even if it's a $13/hr retail job), riding (or another sport that they'll never achieve anything higher than amateur in), and no responsibility (a maxxed out credit card, or a shitty, barely running vehicle, is not 'responsibility'). For some, it's about doing something meaningful in life (because lets be honest, being a 'bike bum', spending your days working in a shop, getting drunk on weekends (or weeknights) and riding in between is not 'meaningful'), and bringing a kid into a financially secure and loving world.
If you don't want that, then that's fine, it's your choice, but don't claim you've (the general you, not you specifically) amounted to something in life because bike companies give you free parts, you ride sometimes, get drunk most of the time, live pay-check to pay-check (despite spending $250 a week on alcohol) and can't even afford health benefits (nor can the shop that you work for)...
A. Unable to meet someone special
B. Alcoholic
C. Overweight
D. Have an overinflated idea of their descending prowess
E. Work in low wage retail
F. In debt (maxed out credit)
G. Have a shitty car
H. Only ride sometimes despite wanting to ride more
I. Uninsured.
Yeah seems logical
What I was getting at was that while some people make a living in the bike industry, working the retail/shop side of it, most do that work so that they can "bike bum" around for the better part of their youth. Having worked in the industry for a long time prior to (and during the process of) changing gears in my life, and living a life where a vast majority of my friends are people who have (or continue to) worked in the industry, I've seen many of them inevitably reach a point in their lives where they long for something more, kids, financial stability, etc. (while granted, some are content with the more simple lifestyle of not having any of that, and that's fine too). I just hate being accosted, and sometimes ostracised/excluded when I choose not to get drunk, and then get questioned by those same people about why I don't wait for them on rides or why I am not out of breath on this mediocre climb. I guess over-time, I've lost a bit of faith in humanity...
I don't think less of people for choosing not to have kids in favour of career, not at all, just don't look down on me or exclude me from group gatherings with mutual friends because I choose to contribute to society in a different way...
you think you can break the system by dropping out. instead of succeeding, playing the system and winning
a good job/career and MTB are not mutually exclusive. word of advice to the yoots; look at the long term, study, apply yourself, dedicate yourself. mid term sacrifice will endure and you will be able to mix work and leisure time, travel, satisfaction, security, opportunity
being a "bum" is not cool or glamorous. you have not won, or broken the system. you did not pass go or collect $200. you just hid out in delusion in your parents basement living off Cheetos. meanwhile, the adults amongst us got ahead, worked hard, AND had fun. hate the system, understand the system, play the system, win. there is a lot more to life than MTB (and anything similar) and anyone who tries to sell you this snake oil is frankly, an idiot
life is short; do not sell yourself short with this dreamy myth that dropping out will somehow fix your own shortcomings
if I keep reading endless whines about the price of bikes and parts I think I will strain myself badly or scoop my eyes out with a rusty spoon
far too much whine, "poor me", and fail
2c
there is no charge for this free career advice
but there is no guarantee or warranty and YMMV
flame on and neg prop me like you are gaming at 2.00AM
Here's the catch:
There are only so many good jobs. It's the truth of supply and demand. Not everyone can work for Google, or Rocky Mountain, or that bike shop down the street that pays awesome wages.
I think the better alternative to both giving up your professional career and giving up your personal fulfillment is moving someplace where when you get out of work you can be on the trail within minutes. Pressure government for more parks, more trails, better designed communities with more open space and greenways. Pressure employers to allow more remote-workplaces and 4-10 schedules. There is nothing wrong with being a bum in paradise, just make sure you've got a long-term plan to get a job and stay there.
a well rounded life is far better than an obsession with any one thing
the MTB industry loves you - you drank the cycling KoolAid
Dylan and I work together and we enjoy work everyday. It's never "oh shit I have to work tomorrow". We make good money to support the lifestyle we have and although I don't have a fancy big truck and a huge house, I can afford everything that I want in my life. I don't want those materialistic things.
And you should also consider that the bike bums of the world are the people that really help the infrastructure of mountain biking. Who do you think puts on kids camps? Spends hours organising local races? Helps with trail approval and maintenance and keeps the local riding scene alive.
Biking would be dead without Bike Bums!
I am also completely understanding of the fact that any way of thinking could blow up in ones face at any moment, so I make choices and sacrifices to avoid that scenario as best as possible.
I guess the bottom line for anyone is, if you find yourself with a really happy lifestyle that you enjoy and with a tangible plan to maintain that, is it any more wrong to pursue that lifestyle than something more mainstream?
Now that I have a wonderful wife, amazing son, great job, and over all happy life I couldn't imagine it any other way. Sometimes I feel sad for my friends that don't have kids. In my opinion it's the best ish ever and its important to continue my legacy, family name and genes. Can all this I value now still be had being a "bike bum", I hope so.
Let's get a follow up article on Dylan in 10 years. I'd be interested to see how it plays out for him.
I think a big thing is entitlement. I don't mind that people choose a certain lifestyle. If you want to be a ski, bike, whatever bum go ahead and knock yourself out, sounds super fun to me. If you want to work and make money, more power to you, I can't blame someone for wanting to be financially stable. The entitlement problem is when anyone of any group tries to tell you what you're doing is wrong or stupid. Just because they think that's how life works, then everyone else has to believe this as well. Working stiffs like me try to tell bike bums that they're naive and wasting their life, whilst bike bums try to tell 9to5ers that they're victims of the system and brainwashed. Do what you want, just don't tell the guy next to you he's doing it all wrong and here's a list of reasons why, especially when you have no perspective. And to top it all off, WE AREN'T THEM, so what the f*ck do we know? Articles like this reek of "I'm way cool because I don't have to do x y and z and I get to ride expensive bikes as seen in the pics, so this is what you should do."
Didn't think so. Wages matter whether its doing what you love or not.
-Being a bike bum/ski bum does NOT mean you are selfish and are doing nothing for society. Some people are selfish about it yes, however most of us are the people who keep this whole bike and ski world glued together. Whether it be selling bikes, running chairlifts, teaching camps, whatever. I teach skiing because I love it so much to the point that I want other people to fall in love with it just as I did.
-Just because you get married and have kids does not mean you have to live lavishly all of a sudden. I personally know a couple who live an extremely simplistic life in a mini home, have no mortgage, have only what they need, work unique jobs, and still raise a kids and send them to school. They still get to climb, bike, and ski a whole lot. They're the happiest family ever and they're actually saving good coin for what the future may hold in store for them. All they did was remove all the excess north american crap out of their lives like say TV so they could have that extra cash and time go towards something they are actually passionate about.
-How your life will play out all depends on how much you can put away all the parts of life that society tells us are social norms and should be found in all of our lives. You don't have to have a huge house to raise children, you don't need to go out and spend 100$ on a date night, you don't need this years car model, you don't need that cute sweater, etc... If being active and outside is important, then it should be easy as a family to make changes (perhaps large ones) in order to be active, outside, and truly happy.
"On a regular basis, I have the chance to spend valuable time with the most creative people on the planet - who I am also honored to call my friends - and perform in front of their picture taking and video making machines. And in addition to these highlights, simple day to day riding around home is often more enchanting than my wildest daydreams."
The thing I really think is worth mentioning is that standing around in the cold manufacturing/piling plywood might suck ass, but if no one did it, none of us would be able to build ramps. We wouldn't have all the things we take for granted if some people didn't just suck it up & jump into the shit. We can't all be famous, we can't all be paid to do what we love to do & we wouldn't have shit if everyone was a bike bum or a pro athlete or an entertainer of some sort.
I've worked in a bike shop & it was work. It was tedious, boring & no one is makin' much money workin' in one of those. A discount on parts means shit if I make next to nothing to begin with. Fixing & flipping houses works great for me, but most people couldn't fathom it. To each his own.
With that said, I'm now five years into a career that affords me the time AND the resources to truly follow that dream. It is because of this career that I am able to finally afford the gear I want, and visit the destinations I always wanted...and all without having to sleep in my car. If it was not for this career, I would not have been able to rediscover my love for biking, lost many years ago. I am beyond thankful that after exhaustive searching and determination, I have found a job that I enjoy. A job that challenges me, entertains me, and allows me the ability to follow the hobbies I love while exploring new ones.
How did I arrive at this equilibrium of work and play, you might be asking? I changed my mind. I got tired of scraping pennies together to eke out a meager existence, for the sake of my pride or imagined integrity. I decided that instead of being a proud victim of "the system", I was going to take advantage of it. And in doing so, discovered that there are no real restrictions or limitations of sorts, beyond the ones we place on ourselves.
There is no grand secret to be shared here, or a moral to this story; only lessons learned through time. Your own perception of any situation is what determines the outcome....now go out and grab life by the balls!
People ask me: What do you do for a living? I answer : Ride my bike. I always get a perplexed look. As if my job defines me. That's sad.
Went back to school and now I have an intellectually satisfying job that I enjoy which pays well enough that I'm sitting in a pad that I own overlooking the three North Shore Mountains writing this and planning a round-the-world trip. Oh and two high end bikes in the front hallway. My job doesn't allow me quite enough flexibility to ride as much as I would like but it's pretty damn close. I doubt I could have got this far if I'd stayed a bum. But if my life's desires had never gone beyond riding bikes then yeah. Because that job in Whistler was the best job I ever had and in many respects those were the happiest simplest times of my life. Maybe you can go back?