Author: steve

Group Rides and Bikepreneurs 

A little ramble on a strong trend unfolding in 2017…I am not sure about you, but this cycling lifestyle seems to sneak up on you. At first for me it was all about gaining some fitness, losing a few kilos and improving on a few friendships. But cycling seems to have delivered far more than these few reasons for throwing the leg over a bit of carbon, in fact when I started, I had never even heard of the word carbon.

Over the years with increasing km’s and time spent on my carbonised trustee stead, I have found myself conducting more and more “Business on the back of my Bike.” Does this sound a little bit like you, well of course it does, because I see you out there doing the exact same thing.

Business on the back of my bike has become a new necessary skill set if I am to keep my cadence heading in the right direction. A blend of work and an active lifestyle is now essential in life. The bike is my freedom machine, a means of transport, a fitness machine. Cycling is community, cycling is family, cycling enriches every fibre of being human. Ok this sounds a little over the top, but we are seeing a substantial appetite to ride and network at the same time, with the “flat white” sealing the deal at the end of each ride. 

The rise and rise of the bikerepreneur.

Over the years I have read quite a few books where the successful business person has hung up their work boots and retired to a blissful life of cycling, beach walking and an assortment of other tempting lifestyle challenges to see out their days. I always thought this sounds really exciting, that’s what I want to do… but how many really achieve this? not many I think.

But things are changing!

What has become very noticeable over the past decade and in particular since the GFC, is the evolution of a now lifestyle where retirement is not the operative word to kick off these challenges. What has changed? The ‘Active Lifestyler’ has emerged, seeking to put lifestyle ahead of work, and this has seen a newer more impatient breed crafting a business culture essentially off the “Back of their Bikes”.  When I refer to new breed, I am not focusing on the 20 yr olds, but I am aiming up at the 50 – 65 year old grouping, yes this demographic is changing and retirement for one reason or another is a disappearing word.  The rise and rise of the bikerepreneur, is here. People are designing their lives around the bike. 

Cycling is very often the easiest and most social entry point into the ‘Active Lifestyler’s’ Zone.  The great thing about cycling is that it is baked into our childhood and family culture which continues to generate connection, friendship and challenge. Cycling enjoys all the attributes of a very friendly family pet, always welcome and deserving of a smile and a pat on the head…yes I do stretch out the analogies to make the point. There really isn’t anything bad about cycling and it is so accepted at all levels of society. Cycling transcends the boundaries and fences of society, business, gender and much more, cycling in groups and events provides synergies, and relationships that would otherwise not occur. 

Most who start cycling, very quickly gain new friends, new viewpoints, new freedoms. If you are in business, cycling is a fantastic vehicle to clear out the musty dusty cobwebs, and generate a new fresh view on your business life. Meeting new people, sharing ideas, and generally becoming more creative are all the obvious benefits as you increase the km’s and time on the bike. The post ride coffee is also  a perfect fit for a bit of light networking. 

Yes the bike was the excuse, and it was a great excuse!

Hooked on life and living a life of value, is a priority, but we still have to earn money and pay the bills some how, so crafting a business on the back of your bike, makes a lot of sense.

But How?

The first priority in any journey is take that first step, so stump up with all the backbone you can muster and just start pedalling.
‘Business on the Back of your bike’ sounds fantastic, and a little fanciful at best, but it is real and anyone can make this work in todays highly mobile techno-social world, yes technology and the “uber” disruptions have opened the door wide to the new ‘Bikerepreneur’ to take the stage. 

Many years ago, I simply wrote it down “Business on the Back of My Bike” – Make it happen. Why did I write that?, I wanted more free time to come and go as I pleased from my daily business grind, and I could take my bike anywhere, so why not my business as well. I titled my notebook “Business on the Back of my Bike Ideas” and set about writing  in every idea that came to me over the years that followed. What I noticed is the evolution as I made entries, I noticed that I saw new ideas through the bike, I crafted old school models to become more mobile.

So fast forward a decade and mobile phones, laptops and ipads are solving problems and creating huge opportunities…the “Bikerepreneur’s” time has come of age… So grab a notebook and write down every idea as it comes to you, no matter how stupid or dreamy it may seem at the time. Time has a way with what you write down, and opportunity seems to find your open mind.
Start reading more, anything that inspires is always my criteria and there is no shortage to inspire.
Continually review your ideas…it will surprise you how old ideas leap out and evolve.

OK this might sound like it is going to take years to reap the reward of this strategy, and in some ways yes that is true, but this is an evolutionary thing, so do it anyway and do it with discipline.

What are you very good at now ? What are you very passionate about? The first part is about turning small ideas into income and going from there.
Passion is such an important factor to get this all moving and keep it moving, but do not confuse passion and stubbornness. Be open minded, be a learner, be an innovator, be an actioneer. (yes a made up word)
Does any of this sound a little like you, or perhaps you are in the search mode trying to finance your cycling lifestyle?  You are not alone and it certainly is not gender or age restricted in a search for the Active Lifestyler paradise, a place where you never need or want to retire.

If you have an experience or observation please bang out a comment below and share.
Nothing that you think or do in life has any real value unless you share it. Value is often measured by whom you choose to share it with…Sharing with other cyclists is sharing with people who like you, want something more out of life, so share with our like minded community of motivated Active lifestylers. 

Cheers Steve
Ps. Give me a call anytime +61 415153522 comment below or simple email me steve@cycleevents.com

Pss. Group rides are networks on wheels, they are family and they lead to all types of opportunities in life…don’t ride alone! could be great advice…I just shared something with you…you decide!