The school district’s retirement program was too good to pass up.
After 31 years in education, Dave Preston knew what he wanted to do next.
The high school English teacher always loved motorcycles. And as a former high school football announcer and a professional radio disc jockey, the Bothell man had a flair for words.
On a whim, he sent a proposal to a company asking for his dream job. It only cost the price of a stamp to drop his idea in the mail.
So he retired one day. And started the very next on his new career as the public relations guy for Cycle Barn MotorSports Group.
“I invented the job before I was hired to do it,” said Preston, 62. “My job, although not fun 100 percent of the time, is close.”
For instance, he will represent the company in May in Shanghai, China, attending a motorcycle race.
He is paid to go on club rides. And he designs outings and takes groups wherever it sounds like fun.
He also gets to ride any motorcycle from any of the stores, because it’s part of the job.
Jim and Jeanette Boltz of Woodway own three stores. It took only one meeting to realize what Preston could bring to his business, Boltz said.
“He has done a fantastic job. We are an enthusiastic business and very passionate about our customers, and Dave is our connection to most of them.”
Cycle Barn started in 1972 in an old wooden barn structure near where Costco now stands in Lynnwood. A new Lynnwood Cycle Barn, with Honda, Kawasaki, and Triumph lines, opened in 2005 a mile north of the previous location on Highway 99.
Smokey Point Cycle Barn opened in May 2000.
As part of his job, Preston is the frontman for charity events, connects riding clubs and writes newsletters.
“Most important for me, he edits my communications,” Boltz said. “He makes me look much better and smarter than I really am.”
Preston was clever designing his own job around his passion and he has great hours. His wife, Susan, teaches fifth grade. She enjoys her Saturdays, when her husband works, and he has no trouble filling up his Mondays off the job.
“Riding motorcycles is what I most like to do,” Preston said. “Also reading, and walks with my lovely wife.”
Acquaintances are envious of his trips. It’s hard enough knowing a guy with dealer plates, who rides a different bike home any day of the week.
Of course, Preston thought with the gas crunch I should become a motorcycle grandma, year round, on a luxury bike with heated handlebars.
He couldn’t say enough about the lines he promotes.
“I like the products, people I work with and the customers,” he said. “My friends think this is the best job in the world.”
Now go make one for yourself.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
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