Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I work for the U.S. Forest Service as a wildlife biologist.  I've been a federal employee for 16+ years, so the amount of annual leave (vacation time) I earn is up to the maximum allowed (8 hours per 2 week pay period - one has to be a permanent employee for 15 years to earn this much...you start out at 4 hours).  So, I earn 26 vacation days a year, which I jealously horde for rides.  Of course, one has to put up with working for the Federal government and all the thrills and excitement <TIC> that goes along with that, so it does have its downside.  <G>

 

Dawn in East Texas

 

On 12/10/06, Jane Cunningham <horseyjane@xxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Ridecampers

 

I'm curious as to what you all do for a living that allows you to take so much time off from work to compete.

 

Back in England I was a retail manager and I had to work saturdays (no choice as it was our busiest day) so if I was in the same position now there is now way I could go to rides. EnduranceGB had one ride on a saturday all the rest of the ride calendar was on sunday's so I could only go to rides that were no more than 2hrs away as we had to travel to and from the ride, do the ride and come home the same day.

 

We also had to have a crew for 40 miles and over. If you were found in breach of this you were dq'd so it was hard finding friends willing to give up time to crew.

 

I cannot wait till spring to start competing here as it is so much more relaxed and not having to worry whether I'll have a crew. Also we had to have our entries in 2 wks before the ride. No turning up the day of the ride so commitment from crew was essential.

 

Wishing spring was here now

 

Jane