Marknz
23rd February 2009, 19:30
So this Sunday will be the first time I can lawfully(?) ride (and drive) again on the road after my brain surgery on 30 August 08. I've a new helmet 'cause my head had actually shrunk (or should I say it was swelling while I was slowly dying), and the bike is all shiney and sitting in the garage waiting to be tossed around in a Wellington breeze.
But the fatals these last few months, and in particular this weekend, have me believing that I'm making absolutely the right decision in that any road riding I do between Sunday and when I get married on Saturday 14 March will be the last road riding I do. No more dodging cars and motorcycles on the wrong side of the road, no more looking out for deisel or oil on the road, and no more worrying about what Harry or Sally is going to do next after answering that mobile or when they've finished sending that txt message.
So after having had six months to think about life, and especially the part about being given a second go at it, I've decided all the plastic is coming off, the lights and rego shite are coming off, and that baby is going to the track where it should be. It's just one of those things I have to do.
The look on my surgeons face at the last check-up when I asked about racing bikes was to die for (probably not a good turn of phrase there...), but we 'agreed' that for the calendar year 2009 it would be track days & test days only, and that in 2010 I could give racing a go. Of course if I get to the end of 2009 and think it's not really for me, then I'll fully reconsider my options.
Until then, it's on with the racersedge.com.au glass, screen and c/f engine case protectors, on with the new BMC race filter, on with the TRE and a whole lotta other gear I have sitting in the garage. I have the tyre warmers courtesy of tyrewarmers.co.nz, and a couple of paddock stands. I think we're all good to go. If any of you racers can think of other necessities, please let me know.
I've got someone who has a little bit of knowledge about these things coming to help me get the bike ready and set up all the suspenders and stuff like that. So all should be good.
Roll on winter and some testing sessions.
In the meantime, if you're riding around Wgtn in the next couple of weeks and see the Sheene'ish GSXR-600 doing the rounds with Spool leathers and a Hailwood Rep X'lite helmet sitting on board, tag along for the ride or feel free to lead. I won't be risking anything on the road to get by you or any dopey tin-top.
Now the big question is... will the weather gods be good for me on Sunday so I can get a ride in in the morning before settling in for the WSB/WSS in the afternoon?
Cheers
But the fatals these last few months, and in particular this weekend, have me believing that I'm making absolutely the right decision in that any road riding I do between Sunday and when I get married on Saturday 14 March will be the last road riding I do. No more dodging cars and motorcycles on the wrong side of the road, no more looking out for deisel or oil on the road, and no more worrying about what Harry or Sally is going to do next after answering that mobile or when they've finished sending that txt message.
So after having had six months to think about life, and especially the part about being given a second go at it, I've decided all the plastic is coming off, the lights and rego shite are coming off, and that baby is going to the track where it should be. It's just one of those things I have to do.
The look on my surgeons face at the last check-up when I asked about racing bikes was to die for (probably not a good turn of phrase there...), but we 'agreed' that for the calendar year 2009 it would be track days & test days only, and that in 2010 I could give racing a go. Of course if I get to the end of 2009 and think it's not really for me, then I'll fully reconsider my options.
Until then, it's on with the racersedge.com.au glass, screen and c/f engine case protectors, on with the new BMC race filter, on with the TRE and a whole lotta other gear I have sitting in the garage. I have the tyre warmers courtesy of tyrewarmers.co.nz, and a couple of paddock stands. I think we're all good to go. If any of you racers can think of other necessities, please let me know.
I've got someone who has a little bit of knowledge about these things coming to help me get the bike ready and set up all the suspenders and stuff like that. So all should be good.
Roll on winter and some testing sessions.
In the meantime, if you're riding around Wgtn in the next couple of weeks and see the Sheene'ish GSXR-600 doing the rounds with Spool leathers and a Hailwood Rep X'lite helmet sitting on board, tag along for the ride or feel free to lead. I won't be risking anything on the road to get by you or any dopey tin-top.
Now the big question is... will the weather gods be good for me on Sunday so I can get a ride in in the morning before settling in for the WSB/WSS in the afternoon?
Cheers