As most of you will have guessed by my advert listing Monica for sale I'm quitting DD. I've had a great time with you all and (hopefully) shown some of you younger, fitter and more "agile" people how well you CAN ride a clapped out 583 on a shoestring budget? Last year was a very steep learning curve which made it all the more enjoyable as I improved in every race at every circuit but this year the series has lost its shine. I'm not enjoying being on the track as much as last year although (when I finish) I am finishing a lot higher up the grid! Excluding the mental nightmare that was Castle Combe (I really didnt want to be there for SO many reasons) I finished 2 other races, the first race at Cadwell (8th place) and the second race at Brands (15th place) so I'm happy to pull stumps at that level. I dont feel that my decision was influenced by the 2 crashes I had but there my trip to Germany was a big factor. My budget meant I would never be able to afford to do all the DD rounds so dropping Assen was an easy choice, I also felt that it was wrong of the MT to "force" us to race there by making it a points scoring meeting, but that's part of another story (I've heard lots of tales about fiddling/cheating etc, but I dont believe them because why would any of you cheat your mates!?!). When I went to Germany recently for literally the price of 2 race meets I got about 24 HOURS of bike riding in, in comparison I get approx 45 minutes per DD weekend, or 1.5 hours for the cost of a trip to the Nurburgring! Of course the 'Ring is neither Nirvana nor a "Holy Grail", but the organised trip there is a useful comparison as my enjoyment of biking comes from time ON the bike, not watching races or preparing for them. I like the paddock atmosphere and have benefitted tremendously from the camaraderie fostered within the DD series but I get exactly the same benefits from meeting my fellow DSC clubmates in Sussex, Surrey, Berks & Hampshire (to name but a few of the regional meets I regularly attend) & rides like the Magical Mystery Tour today to Weston! I hope you continue to get all the enjoyment you can from the DD series as I firmly believe that it is a positive contributor to club life and hope that it continues to promote the comradeship and sense of belonging that the DSC needs from you, its members.
Thank you all for your help during my DD "career", it was a most excellent trip dudes
