From Home Office to Gravel Worcation
At the beginning of January, Jule and Johanna had enough of working from home. A change of scenery was needed to transform the dull routine into new motivation. That cried out for a Worcation, Johanna determined. The bicycles should of course not be missing and so the two planned their 1st Gravel Worcation, a combination of work and cycling vacation. Find out why the two are now big fans of worcations in the article. They also have 6 tips for a successful Gravel Worcation ready for you.
Combining cycling vacation and work?
That sounds a bit contradictory at first, but it worked super well. Work in the morning, then a gravel tour and then back to the computer. Yes, cycling is a time-consuming hobby, but with good planning 1-3h tours can easily be integrated into the workday. We decided to go to Wittenberge. The small town on the river Elbe offers inexpensive accommodation, is well connected by the ICE train station and has a beautiful surrounding area. We were even able to use a co-working space, which we did on one day.
You already work remotely anyway? Great! It’s actually more difficult when you also have to combine family and cycling. Johanna and Jule both have children and their day is usually structured by various everyday obligations. To be able to decide flexibly and self-determinedly how to divide duty and freestyle for a week was only one of many advantages.
Special highlight: Eva's visit from Berlin
It is always useful to keep an eye on the weather and to plan the tours flexibly. That Friday was going to be sunny, windy and cold was predicted a few days in advance. Since every training camp must of course include a queen stage, Jule and Johanna arranged to meet Eva for this day. Being so close to Berlin had to be taken advantage of. Eva checked the wind, took the train to Wittenberge and together the three of them flew on a beautiful tour over the dikes past geese to Havelberg. There Jule and Johanna turned around and teamworked their way back home. Perfect headwind training.
Our 6 tips for a Gravel Worcation
You are curious and want to try the Worcation experiment? Here are our 6 tips for a successful gravel-work balance:
- A nice place that is far enough away from everyday life and suitable for work, but not too exciting that you might want to sit on the bike all day. For us, a three-bedroom apartment with the option of self-catering has worked well.
- Together is best, but make good arrangements how you want to work and when you want to cycle.
- Make a realistic plan for the week and not an endless todo-list. The workload should be manageable! Working in a different place also encourages creativity and is especially good for projects that need undisturbed attention.
- Plan nice tours of different lengths so that you don't get stressed out if time is tight.
- if you are working together on a project, plan time for that as well. Of course there is time to talk in between, but real joint projects need attention and energy.
- if you are not freelance or self-employed, talk to your employer about the possibility of working remotely.
Bonus tip: To avoid getting into a post-worcation depression, plan something nice for the first time back home!
On an ending note
Johanna: I got just as much done as I did at home, but came back full of energy, in a good mood and with new ideas. I love my family, but I also need time for myself and the possibility to freely dispose of my time. Besides my work, I explored a new area, went out 200 km on a gravel bike and spent a week with someone important to me. A successful experiment that I will definitely repeat. Thanks also again to the Elblandwerker Community, which has lured us to Wittenberge for the second time.
Jule: Our work-cycling vacation threw a good portion of new energy into my everyday life, which had become quite bogged down in the last few months due to work and the pandemic. The walls in the office came threateningly close at times and the cycling came altogether shorter than it was good for me. The dark season did the rest and the energy tank was almost empty. The flexible time management, a new environment and especially the refreshing exchange with my friend were the “gamechanger” for me. I am very grateful for this valuable time, especially to Johanna and of course to my wife. I will be more than happy to it again..
In Search of Gravel – Wittenberge
For even more pictures, ride reports and inspiration you can find the collection with the rides of Jule, Johanna and Eva on our The Women All Ride Komoot profile.
Text: Johanna und Jule
Copy Edit: Eva
Edit & Layout: Steffi
Photos: Johanna und Jule
