Change of Pace

I’ve been in the outdoor industry for 6ish years now.

That is 6 years of learning about running, cycling and anything and everything fitness related.  6 years of technical jargon about “moisture wicking fabrics” and “9, 10 and 11 speed cassettes.”  6 years of pro deals,  bike flipping and new running shoes every few months.  6 years of clinics, trade shows and studying the new season’s catalogs.  6 years of new technology and new faces and new trends.

And, unfortunately, 6 years of being talked down to.  6 years of the question “Oh, you ride a bike?”  6 years of people telling me I don’t know what I’m talking about.  6 years of people assuming that I’m “just a salesperson” who doesn’t have a passion for the sport/industry she decided to dedicate her life to.  6 years of entitled douchebags who look at me like a piece of meat when I am trying to sell them a bicycle.  6 years of trying and trying and trying and trying and trying not to bothered by this all…..

I’m done. 

I need a break from it all.  I need a break from trying.  I need a break from proving myself on a daily basis. 

I quit my job with, what many would say, is “the best” clothing company in my industry.  I quit because I was not happy.  I quit because I was tired. 

Now I’m moving into a new direction.  I’m going to start working with one of my other hobbies.  I’m going to start working in coffee.  I have some opportunities with a roaster/cafe that I love, whose passion I find inspiring. 

I am incredibly excited and also very nervous about this change of pace.  However, I know that I made the right decision.  I needed something to shake me up, and I think this is just the thing. 

New beginnings are always invigorating.

Apologies.

Hey all, 

This blog has fallen by the wayside.  I was so insanely busy with work, and then I quit my job, and now I am riding.  A lot. 

So I will try and update it more often, but I can’t promise anything.  I am, however, still updating my “regular” tumblr here - emilyraee

Check it out, and stay tuned.  Emily on her bike = happy, healthy Emily with little time for interneting, and lots of time for fun.

Happy riding

Em

Watching the TTT w/ Brian Nygaard today….

I got super stoked to tell him that Fuglsang is on my Fantasy Vuelta team.

(Yeah….I made a fantasy vuelta team.  I’m a dork.  But I’m already the winner in my mini-league.)

And yeah…..Brian Nygaard came into my work today to watch the Vuelta.  Did I also mention how much I love my job???

Best.  Job.  Ever.