So Shaun

[justsomeguy]

Hey Shaun,

If you need any rider training - I can train you up.

I will be off to the dairy soon. So if you want to follow me and learn some cornering lines - feel free to do so........

[Shaun]

Thanks mate but I have done a deal with Texmo

[Shade]

Man,

Goodluck with the TT eh!! Going to be primo following your progress. Make sure you keep us updated, and go hard!

[justsomeguy]

Thanks mate but I have done a deal with Texmo

What does Texmo have to do with things?
For some reason - I don't think you read what I wrote.

So without telling us any secrets....

How does one prepare for the TT??

[Shaun]

What does Texmo have to do with things?
For some reason - I don't think you read what I wrote.

So without telling us any secrets....

How does one prepare for the TT??

I read exactually what you wrote, but now realise that you made a bit of a criptic Joke/statement there, you have been listening havn't you

[justsomeguy]

I read exactually what you wrote, but now realise that you made a bit of a criptic Joke/statement there, you have been listening havn't you

Ah - I didn't think Texmo would instruct you - I thought you'd agreed to be his mentor - in a semi formal way.
--------------------------------------------------

So - how does one prepare for the IOMTT?? Serious question.

I'd like to do it in the next 10 years. 5 if I'm lucky.

[Shaun]

I never have agreed to MENTOR Texmo, what I have agreed to is to try and advise him, and help him with parts etc, any one that works that hard, and keeps getting back out there will always have my support.

I have been asked about the TT by a few people today, will try to find time to reply about it tonight

[Two Smoker]

Thanks mate but I have done a deal with Texmo

Hey mate... if you wanted lessons on crashing you could have come to me... hehehe

[Shaun]

As a few have me this question today, I will try to explain what works for me.

There is no speciall preperation that I do, I practise lots of laps in my head nearly every day of the week any way

When some mates come around we may sit down and watch an on board DVD from there, the funny thing about that is they all say the look on my face whilst watching the DVD is the look of some one that is doing some thing serious, I use these opportunities to do more practise in my head.

Physically I do nothing, Drink beer and smoke cigarettes

It is all in the mind!!!!!

The real preperation is a mental thing, basically you have to be prepared to be hurt or killed, now that may sound a bit OTT to some, but it is how I look at it.

I realise that life is short ( Like me) and I also realise that life is very special, I also know that I am never going to stop doing what smokes my tyres because it might hurt me, some one, some thing, gave me this abbillity, and I am not going to ignore that.

There is a special place on the Isle of Man that I go to as soon as I arrive, it is called the (fairy bridge).

The Island is very strong with all kinds of believes, I always stop at the bridge and take the team some thing to eat, a wee drink, and sit there for while and clear my head with them, I bounce all kinds of shit around with those guys, the year I won there, I took a photo of my wee daughter and told them streight, if I do not go home, she is coming looking looking for you.

I meant it!

I immediately started to cry my heart out and shook like hell then WAM, there was that special feeling from my toes to the tip of my head, and I knew it was going to be a goody for me.

So, sorry to be so simple about it here, but as I said, it is in the head, and it was always some thing I have wanted to do since I saw my first bit on it on TV as a kid.

No matter what you do in life, if you want to be good at it, you must practise practise, and this can be done in your head.

You know what is really funny to me about this pure roads racing buisnesss, I am a Total Pussie on a road ride, I hate riding on the public road on a bike, it is so boring and dangerous and full of diesel and farmers and things, and I sure wish a lot more people would take it to the track and stay away from the public roads, they suck and are for tintops

[justsomeguy]

Thanks for that,

A lot of us don't want to go as fast as we can on the road. But the road is sometimes all we can afford (dumb excuse but the truth).

A lot of experienced bikers I've spoken to (all ex racers in their middle ages with too many injuries or not enough physical strength to race due to bad crashes) echo what you say about riding on the road.

It would be great to own a race bike and race it. Perhaps it is possible but a lot of us have other priorities in life, making motorcycles a luxury indulgence at the best of times.

It's awesome to be able to swap stories and learn from a person who has actually gone out there and done it.

It's been Two Smoker's dream for a while to race at the Isle... I look forward to reading and hearing of his exploits soon.

[Storm]

Best of luck Shaun, and a big "onya" for taking the time to help others out with your knowledge

[Colapop]

That's very cool - Go well man.

As far as what you're saying in regard to preparation, I agree wholeheartedly! It is all in the mind. Different situation but same princples applied - I coached an under 55kg rugby team this year (college boys). Because of the crap weather and being the smallest lowest graded team at the college we had very limited practice time. So what I did was mind games with them. They all thought it was a laugh but we progressed through different exercises until we 'played' a game in our heads with calling for passes and lineouts etc. This was all over a few weeks. I can't say conclusively that it was just that or not having played for awhile but the first Saturday game we had after that - we absolutely blitzed a team that thrashed us at the start of the year. I reckon mental preparedness is as valuable (if not more in some cases) that on-feild or on-track training.

[Shaun]

Speedie and colapop, speedie, you have got me to the T mate, we have spoken enough, and you have listened and judged me well! thanks for taking the time to think about it, instead of just running off at the mouth about how much of an arrogant twat I am, Yea I do get frustrated with people very easy, that is because I really do not dumb people who do not think

You or no one is privilliged with me being here mate, we are all privilledged to be here, I cannot do your job, and you cannot do mine, Simple.

I just like bikes and generally people who ride them, I have had a lot of luck in my life and a lot of support around me when times got and get hard ( As you know) am I really believe in what goes around comes around.

PS I know yo love me

Colapop, you da man, smart thinking mate, and I would go as far to say as it was the mentall work you had the boys do, good on ya for being involved in our youth, god know's they need good morall guidence these days.
If it was not for a Boxing coach that I once had, I would have to say I would have become a full time criminall and a looser, big ups to you sir.

[Colapop]

Jebus! - it wasn't Billy Graham was it?? THAT guy is a legend! I'm no more than a con artist. I'm doing the easy yards - coaching at a good school with most of the kids having parents who give a shit. About the most I do is share my enthusiasm (I have to share it - I'm to hyper to keep it inside).



P.S. I'm learning more about my bike (from people that have more knowledge than me) and I may be up earlier than expected to get the suspension sorted - no firm timeframe though. Hopefully it's not just going to sit on the wish list!

[slowpoke]

A well written answer Shaun, and an enjoyable read too!!

I've learnt over the different times you and I have had conversations that you think slightly differently than most people. And thats your edge.
I still cant put my finger on it but you just approach things from slightly "left of centre". And either it works amazingly or it doesnt. Although when I think about it more, what you have to say is usually just common sense, without all the bullshit attached.
Your a very determined person, and seem to get extremly frustrated, if not angry when things dont quite go the way you would like it....Which makes you a good racer...
I am so looking forward to watching you at IOM TT, looks like I wll have to get fuckin Sky again. I really wish I could be there, to take in the atmosphere, see the legendary place for myself, ride a bike (slowely) around it. Stop off at the little plaques, and contemplate the great men that have gone before you, some conquering the Isle, and others being swallowed up by the beast. Best of luck Shaun and thankyou for all the thankless work you do for so many here. We are privildged to have someone of your calibre as a regular member, and just an ordinary bloke too.


ps.. Todays funeral got me thinking we should tell people good shit about themselves while there alive.
pss. Need a bag carrier for iom?

Thanks Shaun, and well said Speedie, I absolutely agree with your last comment too.

Shaun's comments have actually given me a good kick in the pants. With work comitments I don't get to spend much time on a bike, and can hardly ever make it to the track even though I'm desperate to get out there. But what's to stop me practising in my head.............?

Here's a thought (dreams are still free aren't they Aunty Helen?): imagine a Kiwbiker gathering at the IOM. It could be like our version of Mecca and we should all do a pilgrimage. I for one am determined to go before I die. If Shaun keeps up with the beer and cigarette workout regime we could even end up with our own Ginga Buddha to worship.