Two By Bike: You Know You Are Retired When ...

It’s been almost a year since I ended my medical career and embraced retirement. Here are a few things that I have observed that are sure to indicate one is retired.

Become a Snowbird. No, not a pilot with the Canadian Forces’ aerobatic team, but one who spends the winter months migrating from the northern cold to warmer southern climes. Our home in La Quinta, California provided lots of opportunity to ride our bikes, not indoors on their trainers, but outdoors on the roads throughout the winter.

Heading out for a ride Christmas Morning

Enjoy alternatives to driving in traffic. Not working means not having to participate in the frustrations of rush hour traffic. Ah, the freedom. Now mornings are relaxed and there is more time for other important things.

Time for a morning snuggle with Rockie and Benny

Partake in daytime outings. When people found out I was retiring, the most common question I was asked was, “What are you going to do with all the time?” Wow, there are so many things to fill the day, only limited by one’s imagination. Time to finally enjoy all those hobbies, activities, and adventures that one puts off when work occupies so much of one’s time. When we are healthy, of course there will be lots more cycling to do (hopefully that will pick up soon), books to read, courses to take, new skills to learn, and as far as the dogs are concerned, more time at the dog park.

Meeting lots of new friends

Try new things. My sister gave me a family favourite bun recipe my mom used to make. Having never made bread from scratch before (if we don’t count the one whole wheat loaf I made in about 1983 that is probably still serving as a corner stone for someone’s house), I decided to try my hand at baking buns. One of the people I met at the dog park is a retired baker. He examined the buns for appearance, texture, rise, colour, fragrance, and taste. His conclusion? “Not bad for a first effort.” The good news is, he is a willing teacher and has offered to give me a seminar on the art of bread making. Who knows what this might lead to!

First go at baking buns

Attend afternoon matinees. No problem finding a good seat at the theatre when going to a movie in the afternoon. No more having to look around the person seated in front. No more standing in long concession lines.

No line ups at the West Edmonton Mall cinema concessions

Join the RV crowd. What? What was that? An RV?!! Didn’t we just buy a nice new big tent last year? How did this happen? Let’s see. First, it started with Sandy tuning into TV shows all winter about buying RVs, which got us looking at a few when we got home. Then my accountant said I could start spending some of the money I had been squirreling away for forever. I figured I was safe though, as my money guy never likes to see my spend any. When my sister was babysitting me during Sandy’s Rocky Mountain ride, we accidentally found the perfect unit, and Sandy agreed. For some reason, my money guy thought it was a good idea, too. The next thing I knew, the money was in my bank account, the deal was signed, and the money flew right out of my account faster than it went in! Introducing Boxy (her license plate starts with BXY), the little van conversion RV that came into our corral last month. We think she is just right! We have had her out for a few adventures, already, likely the topic of future blog posts.