Just watched it....not bad....start getting my fix before next months pilgrimage...! Cant wait....just trying to decide what to take...
The last bike related film that I talked my wife into watching was the one with the Dunlop family and at the end my wife said "well, all the women in the Dunlop family have got the shit end of the stick haven't they? id want to slit my fucking wrists if I lived with them....what a depressing life..." Ive not mentioned anything bike related to her since...
My missus said something similar. More along the lines of "I think it's unfair on their partners, selfish to be honest" Some people just don't get it do they.
Ill happily admit that I'm pretty well addicted to bikes but I wouldn't want to make anyones lives around me a misery for it....and if it did they'd be gone...
I think it is selfish, I have lots of friends who race/d and involved with racing, including my self. I know a TT racer, I've been to the Northwest with them and his Mrs. That was an eye opener. I've been to their house lots and they've been to my house, weddings etc... I know what it feels like to stand on the pit wall at a circuit and think where are they, they should be here by now. It's worse road racing. I did not want to look at his Mrs. If she heard that, She'd probably tell me to man up, and he's a twat if he want's to kill him self that's up to him (tough people) funny women, when's the pub open. I bet my Mrs worries (an the risk of serious injury is less most of the time) that sigh of relief as you come into view. I would be gutted if I saw the recovery truck and ambulance go out, to find out it was someone I know. Even if they were ok. I'd hate to be there when someone did not come back. In 09 I was invited to the TT ( to help but could not go) a year I recall a mate crash at 150mph, not a good place to be. Most these people have been at it along time, so they know what they are getting into. I had a chat with someone about racing recently as I sold my car and they said listening to me it's like a gambling addiction.I guess for me that is true. Nearly where I want to be, low point feel like crap, spend more, high point, low point, can't stop it... need the buzz, life is dull. I hate it, so much work. I'm stressed, got to do it... get angry at anyone or anything that prevents me. Sorry can't be at that birthday party, 5 weekends in a row in the workshop. The commitment and money involved obviously means that is not being spent else where. That does not mean these people do not love or care for their families or the family do without. In some respects they maybe get more quality time than some, maybe it's not so bad having a dad that's a bit different. I went to a good school and lots of my friends dad worked overseas etc and they did not see much of their dad... is that selfish? some would say no, they are paying the bills others would say yes they are not seeing the kid grow up. Usually the people (some in my family) that want you to live by their ideals want or have a totally different way of life. Personally I want more from life. I find the people that won't "live and let live" suffocating and annoying because the way they live, I'd feel dead already. My dad worked hard (at the same company all this life started at the bottom and became management) came home everyday, paid the bills, had his dinner and watched TV. I respect that, even if he was a bit of an a hole at times. I don't think, even if he had a choice he would have wanted the hassle and the commitment it takes to do the things that I do. Someone said when I had a kid I would change, I have in some ways, I think about risk and I am aware. When we need a new boiler etc... work to on the house, how what I do with "my" money can appear to others. These things still get done. We had the new kitchen, the trip to Paris... it's a bit like sponsorship. Having to make the time to keep everyone happy. Sold the house for money than any of that type in the street, bought another. The thing is, I've bought renovated and made money on houses, I am a partner in a business. So I could work my self to death and not have anything for myself "to suit others". I don't mind going for a nice meal but that's not all I want to do. I also believe you never know what's round the corner so as long as your not looking to go bankrupt and its calculated that's not quite so bad. Unfortunately life insurance is funny about motorsport, that's a bit of an issue. If I die normally my family will be ok for money. There is a risk with all motorsport but things can happen regardless and or at work. I do feel guilty, my partner does not want a lot, if the house is nice she is happy. She could easily demand brand new cars, expensive clothes all the time to counter my spending. I effectively draw a wage and that is mine, she has hers we keep out finances separate and it works. We trust each other 100% with financial decisions. So racing is selfish, anyone who says otherwise is very self centred, it's a little bit different if you are making good money from it, 100K+ after overheads but last time I checked most riders in the TT don't unless it's from TV deals etc now. I feel guilty about my hobbies but at the same time, I am who I am, she did not have to marry me. She does not want to change me and I think she likes that side of me. She is a very strong women (successful in her own right) and I think she'd struggle to be with someone who wanted an easy/lazy life, although that it sounding more appealing as I get older.
I think its that "racing bug". I don't have that. If I'm doing a run over the mountain at the TT and someone passes me - I don't have the urge to "try to get in front of them at whatever cost.." I just concentrate on what I'm doing and try to get to Creg in one piece..!
I watch the TT and see John McGuinness in the winners enclosure, surrouned by his small children and wife, I then question if he should now hang up his helmet and call road racing a day after so many wins. Then again what do I know, they are very brave men (and woman) doing something I couldn't do, its a calculated risk.
You cant explain the TT to anyone that hasn’t been so I imagine its even harder trying to explain to them about actually racing the TT.
Yep...i must say going to the tt is addictive...atmosphere is electric...this year for the first time we've managed to get a Friday crossing...
How long are you there for comfysofa? When I was invited to travel with a team some years ago I recall it 16 days or similar.
Only there for 5 days...cant afford any more time out from the family than that....we do it on the cheap....weve got an office over there so we stay at my mates place in port st mary (a bit far out but a good ride) he leaves the key under the plant pot and goes to his girlfriends house while were there, but, saying that were only in the house to get our head down. Tend to spend most of our time on the mountain (in past years) - we always seem to run into the same 2 lads every year (we don't even know theyre actual names) so this year were going to intentionally meet up (I think they want to go round the island a bit more. Personally id rather be round the track but ill go with the flow...
it was like ducati island when i was there last year, panigale's literally EVERYWHERE (and also riding around in groups of the same bikes lol) have fun everyone that's going this year, i'm not jealous at all no sireee also, please stay safe, it's very easy to get led by those quicker than you (and there will always be one of them etc..)
A meet up would be good....in fact I think Dave arranged one a couple of years back, we turned up but there was no one there....saying that I think there was a Chinese whispers type thing going on and we might have got wrong information....something like that - cant remember...
How about Sunday 5th? No idea where...... Someone with more experience of the event suggest somewhere?
Sunday is good - I would suggest somewhere on the track....the Crosby or something like that....id say Gorse Lea but I think the farmer only opens up on race days - not sure... Saying that I don't know what I'm going to be on yet....more likely the RSV but theres a good argument for taking the Zed or the Hyper...
You might be better off meeting up somewhere quiet like Casteltown imo. You can do murrays m/c museum and fairy bridge on the way there or back. Plenty of space for bike parking and a nice couple of boozers that serve good food (a rarity on the IOM) too.
I raced over there for 5 years. 3 at the manx , 2 at the TT. I recall going over a few years before I started with a racing friend and watching him go off the startline and looking down the run to Bray thinking what sort of pleasure is there in this. It's madness. A few years later and I'm the one on the bike with a view to a once only Manx GP. Why ? It's difficult to see the draw as I've seen all sides. From watching others, to doing it myself . From taking a friends girlfriend to Nobles to be told that he wont make it through the night to me then having to leave her to do my Senior race that day. Please, don't read that as me implying I'm big and tough , im not , I'm just trying to show how it can grab you and draw you in. I cannot and never will be able to say we race over there. To the very very select few then they make money but apart from those top 5 ish riders the rest are there to race because of the draw it brings. Honestly , it's 1000 % harder on those watching their riders than it is on the actually rider. It's ok , we know we're ok but they don't . I recall the cubs not moving my indicator on the scoreboard so I hadn't progressed in the course and my poor wife to be almost being physically sick ........ then all of a sudden the light was on for me at Signpost and I needed fuel I'm now 47 and have not raced there since I crashed semi unhurt 10 years ago but the feelings it still brings back to me just will not go away. It's a personal thing. I talk of it on a forum as people don't know me, but amongst friends and colleagues at work I never mention it and the replicas I won sit underneath my bed. What stopped me ? Children . I finally looked at it and thought it was just too unfair to possibly have the worst happen and they lose a father for a choice that me made. Would I do it again if I could ? In a heartbeat .
