I'm older than you but otherwise the same. Seems like everything is going in the wrong direction thanks to corpos trying to wring as much money as possible out of it rather than making it as useful to people as possible.

I still love tech but only because I realize that it can actually empower us. The dark patterns that corporations use (for me personally and especially when it comes to customer service) are what ruin it, but maybe I’m still naïve.

Buy 3 bicycles! 1st an electric commuter/cargo bike so you can run errands without a car. 2nd a road/hybrid bike for fun and exercise on paved paths. 3rd a mountain bike so you can enjoy more nature. (an eMTB if they're allowed on your local trails can combine all 3 bikes if you want)

I feel you. And I work in tech (maybe you do too, idk). Point is, I'd need a bicycle AND a career change...

Just don't make the mistake I've did at buying an electric bicycle. The controllers for the engines are mostly proprietary barely sewn together noname pieces of garbage, that you'd need some bullshit adapters and obscure software to flash settings in.

Also don't dig yourself too deep into cycling. There are good quality bicycles at a cost of a motorcycle or even a used car, and then there's aliexpress specials made of whatever was lying around, but there are very few in-between options. I'd suggest just getting the latter and throwing it out when it breaks or you get bored.