For the first time, I have been paying close attention to the Isle of Man TT. In the run up to, and since, acquiring my full motorcycle licence, I have been interested in watching or reading anything that helps me improve my skills, or learn more about the art of motorcycle riding.
As an activist learner, not normally disposed to too much “theory”, the desire to get into the books has been interesting for me to reflect on. My usual approach would be more “let me at it” than “let me think about it”.
In the preparation process for taking Mods 1&2, I read (among other things);
The last of the reads above is very relevant to this post because it covers a lot about motorcycle racing, something that feels very much beyond my abilities. In watching the TT, I am fascinated by, and more than a little in awe of, the riders that can lean their bikes so low and consistently ride faster (a lot…) than I have ever ridden my Kawasaki at all. Overwhelming evidence that I still have so much to learn!
I am new to the two-wheel game but I haven’t yet encountered a road-based situation where I’d be prepared to ride my bike faster than I’d drive my car. In fact, around the bends and the country lanes, I ride my bike a lot slower than I’d drive the car.
With regards to leaning the bike over to the point of my knees being on the tarmac – I’d be too scared to even try. And then there’s shifting your weight to bring it upright again. I am certain I’d drop the bike and hurt myself. I guess I’ll need some specialist tuition at a track before I have a hope of getting it.
Watching the TT competitors doing all this at breakneck speed and even keeping control of their machines as they have their front wheels off the ground, go completely airborne or negotiate their way around other riders, is truly impressive.
The 37-mile course is exciting and visually interesting, but crammed full of dangers to the riders. I live in a village with roads not unlike some of those on the course and I can hardly comprehend navigating them at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The TT riders are brave beyond belief if you ask me - I have found myself nervous just looking. I have watched some track racing on the television and whilst it has been interesting, it is dull in comparison to the road racing.
The TT course is acknowledged as being dangerous and Daley Mathison died this year to add his name to the toll of previous deaths. I have read about the Dunlop family’s losses at the TT and it makes me wonder why so many racers take the risks – the TV commentators have stated that riders have to pretty much run flat out at all times to have any hope of winning. At the speeds, it really doesn’t take much going wrong to become a fatality.
But part of me gets the thrill, or at least I can relate to some elements of it. Getting on two wheels has been the best thing I have done for myself in years. I didn’t do it for the wife, the kids or my parents … it was all just for me. I love riding even at sensible speeds on a sensible bike and I guess for those that are capable racers, there’s no better test of skill than the TT. It must be addictive and the danger part of the addiction.
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As an activist learner, not normally disposed to too much “theory”, the desire to get into the books has been interesting for me to reflect on. My usual approach would be more “let me at it” than “let me think about it”.
In the preparation process for taking Mods 1&2, I read (among other things);
- The DVSA Guide to Riding: the essential skills
- Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook to Better Motorcycling and
- Twist of the Wrist 2 by Keith Code
The last of the reads above is very relevant to this post because it covers a lot about motorcycle racing, something that feels very much beyond my abilities. In watching the TT, I am fascinated by, and more than a little in awe of, the riders that can lean their bikes so low and consistently ride faster (a lot…) than I have ever ridden my Kawasaki at all. Overwhelming evidence that I still have so much to learn!
I am new to the two-wheel game but I haven’t yet encountered a road-based situation where I’d be prepared to ride my bike faster than I’d drive my car. In fact, around the bends and the country lanes, I ride my bike a lot slower than I’d drive the car.
With regards to leaning the bike over to the point of my knees being on the tarmac – I’d be too scared to even try. And then there’s shifting your weight to bring it upright again. I am certain I’d drop the bike and hurt myself. I guess I’ll need some specialist tuition at a track before I have a hope of getting it.
Watching the TT competitors doing all this at breakneck speed and even keeping control of their machines as they have their front wheels off the ground, go completely airborne or negotiate their way around other riders, is truly impressive.
The 37-mile course is exciting and visually interesting, but crammed full of dangers to the riders. I live in a village with roads not unlike some of those on the course and I can hardly comprehend navigating them at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The TT riders are brave beyond belief if you ask me - I have found myself nervous just looking. I have watched some track racing on the television and whilst it has been interesting, it is dull in comparison to the road racing.
The TT course is acknowledged as being dangerous and Daley Mathison died this year to add his name to the toll of previous deaths. I have read about the Dunlop family’s losses at the TT and it makes me wonder why so many racers take the risks – the TV commentators have stated that riders have to pretty much run flat out at all times to have any hope of winning. At the speeds, it really doesn’t take much going wrong to become a fatality.
But part of me gets the thrill, or at least I can relate to some elements of it. Getting on two wheels has been the best thing I have done for myself in years. I didn’t do it for the wife, the kids or my parents … it was all just for me. I love riding even at sensible speeds on a sensible bike and I guess for those that are capable racers, there’s no better test of skill than the TT. It must be addictive and the danger part of the addiction.
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