In or out???

[Andy#99]

Hi all

Some of you may know me from my 2005 Desmo Due "campaign" on my lovelly 600ss #99...and some of you "newbies" out there may not...but I just wanted to let you all know that I am, only just, bouncing back to full fitness from my injuries sustained at the last round of the 2005 season at Cadwell Park.

Last Friday I was admitted for the second time to St.Peters Hospital, Chertsey, under the care of the Great British NHS in order to have the hook and plate they had so carefully applied to my left clavacle (collar-bone to you and me) finally removed after a fairly agonizing three months....and boy, do I feel better for it!

Now, that means I have finally got to grow up and tackle some of the thorny issues that I have managed to push onto the back-burner whilst recuperating over the winter lay-off.....the most pressing being simply to decide if I can be arsed to put myself through all that pain, suffering and hardship once again, and TAKE PART IN DD FOR 2006???

Arguments against;

1) Its expensive
2) It is nerve-wracking
3) It can be very painful if you fall off.
4) Its even more expensive if you fall off!!!
5) It is very time consuming
6) It is "all consuming"
7) The missus doesn't want me to do it....aaaahhhh!!!


Arguments for;

1) errrr? FUN?...No, not exactly....exciting...YYEEAAaaa:lol::lol:
2) It is definitely a cool thing to do :cool::cool:
3) 1/2 of me really wants to.

The thing that makes me veer towards going for it is that I competed on a big-bore 600ss last season....and I know the 620-boys must be sick-and-tired of hearing it...but those 600 / 674cc bikes were just SOOOooo out-classed by the 620s last year that the opportunity to race on a much more level playing field is very, very appealling. I didn't do badly on my little ss (indeed, bagging Domski's Brands Hatch Indy 674cc "unoficial" DD lap-record at the Brands round) finishing 13th overall whilst completely missing the last, full, Cadwell round....I'd quite like to put the record straight, get the bike straightened, buy a new set of tyres (only ONE set required per season, folks) and GET OUT THERE :o:o

If I ask you lot I KNOW what you'll say...but I'll ask it anyway....what should I do?

Andy #99

.

[AK]

I usually say " if in doubt, dont"

but Andy - this time I'd say: go for it!!!:cool:

[dickieducati]

as you say, need you ask?

its your call, but would be great to see you in the paddock again.

you could always do the first meeting and see how you feel. im sure someone would take your ride if you dont want it.

i think i know what your decsion will be though.:D

[TP]

Race you clown!

As if it needed to be said ... How are you going to swing this past the missus though - that's the entertaining bit.

Can you let us know when you're going to do it? Maybe we could all come around and have a bbq or something while you ask her so we get to watch :D

Or maybe not .... ;)

:lol:

[domski]

You only have one life...





...and it's fecking short!!!

See you at Brands fella ;)

[paynep]

Andy,

I had similar thoughts over the winter but felt I owed it to myself to do a 2nd season, but this time without being handicapped by the wrong choice of bike.
At least when I get my ar8e kicked it will be down to other people being better than me and not the bike.......
(apart from the tyres, suspension,gearing, brakes, paintjob....)

So see you at Round 1!

Paul

[AK]

Originally posted by Andy#99

the most pressing being simply to decide if I can be arsed to put myself through all that pain, suffering and hardship once again, in having to read Domski's laughable, sometimes apallingly bad taste and also self depreciating posts?


:lol:

[domski]

Originally posted by AK and CK
Originally posted by Andy#99

the most pressing being simply to decide if I can be arsed to put myself through all that pain, suffering and hardship once again, in having to read Domski's laughable, sometimes apallingly bad taste and also self depreciating posts?


:lol:

Oh the wit :P

[Ray]

If you can truthfully say nothing else floats ya boat for the cash, time effort and heartache, then racing it is.

Others on here who are well into being out on the grid are hardly gonna say get yer kicks elsewhere are they?

Was into spending big time both cash and time wise on four wheels but I did get to the point where I was aware that had become something I just did 'cos I hadn't really seriously weighed up the alternatives.

Some might see the alternatives as poor substitute, but it's your call.

Ray.

[Edited on 19-1-2006 by Ray]

[Steve M]

Give it another go, but if you're out on track and still thinking about whether it's the right thing or not rather than getting the huge buzz only racing gives then maybe think again.

Good luck.

[Chris Wood]

As below....but hey I'm IN!!!!!


Arguments against;

1) Its expensive.................not if you stay upright - £2k per annum????

2) It is nerve-wracking.......That IS the best thing about it and WHY you do it....only racers knoe the feeling!

3) It can be very painful if you fall off. - So can anything, sports, falling over..RSI...

4) Its even more expensive if you fall off!!! - OK...

5) It is very time consuming - OK - but it's good though!

6) It is "all consuming" - let it go!!! - it's not MotoGP.(FUN)

7) The missus doesn't want me to do it....aaaahhhh!!! - Who's does?


Arguments for;

1) errrr? FUN?...No, not exactly....exciting...YYEEAAaaa - As above!
2) It is definitely a cool thing to do - Oh yes, others stare in wonder!
3) 1/2 of me really wants to. - Go with it, the other half is boring!



It beats doing the garden!

[bradders]

all elase except point 7 in your list is tosh....but then I aint doin it because of point 7!!

[couchcommando]

Get out there, as for the missus just persudae her to do it as well ;) ;)

[Andy#99]

Originally posted by couchcommando
Get out there, as for the missus just persudae her to do it as well ;) ;)

You SO OBVIOUSLY havn't met the Bexter !!! She is about as likely to swing her leg over a DD bike as she is over me after ten pints :lol: Aswell as that, she is a formidable woman with an IRON WILL (aren't they all...joke....JOKE !!!)

Andy #99

.

[domski]

Tell her you'll divorce her if she doesn't let you race.

That should do the trick :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Do you get a refund if you return the wife within 12 months?

[Tonio600]

Message original : Andy#99
If I ask you lot I KNOW what you'll say...but I'll ask it anyway....what should I do?
Andy #99


Do come back my friend :)

[Rattler]

In you Tw@!!!

[Dominic Clegg]

when i raced a 996 in velencia i high side the bike coming out of the second corner (and landed on my head). i have never felt so sick in my life id saved for nearly a year to go there and all i did was through it down the road. but when i look back on it now all i can remmber was the 5laps i did just before that. id never felt so alive in my life i was just going faster and faster leaning the bike so far over my leg was being brushed againt the bike. it was like i was flying. and now iv got the chance to do it again with you guys i know it stinks when you come off but what you get out of the rest of the time

racings the only legal drug left

[psychlist]

Come on Andy, wouldn't be the same without you :cool:

[ali]

Right, time for the voice of reason.... :lol:

Telling someone to go racing is like telling someone to stick their nose on the end of a rolled up note, there's a very good chance they'll be fine, but there's a slim risk it'll all go t!ts up and you'll have to live with that recommendation for the rest of your life. Having been though roughly what you have over the last few months I can fully appreciate the bloody inconvenience of being in one-hand-land for extended periods of time, and understand a tiny bit of what it would mean to spend the rest of your life like that.

I'm also about to get married, the missus (and family) know that I have no off button, and are dead set against the whole idea, but........ ....what would summer be without it? How would I validate riding on the road instead when it's almost as dangerous? How would I feel in 20 years time knowing I only gave it one shot on an underpowered bike? What happens when you run through a race lap in your mind and your heart no longer races and the adrenaline doesn't force you to sit up in bed?

I made my decision while I was still sliding along on my arse. I know I won't come back riding as hard, I have an evening with Geoff to thank for that. But I'll still out-brake the guys I did last year, and I'll do my best to make some smoother lines make up for the bravery that's going to be in short supply this season. I'm not going to scoop the championship, but I'll have a fecking great time battling for top 10 spots (hopefully) without doing myself too much injury. Come out and play, just remember there's an off switch. :D

Ali

[YMFB]

To me if you are not 100 % dont do it

You cant be 100% as you asked for other peoples opinions.

And thats mine for what its worth

[Rattler]

Originally posted by ali
Right, time for the voice of reason.... :lol:

Telling someone to go racing is like telling someone to stick their nose on the end of a rolled up note, there's a very good chance they'll be fine, but there's a slim risk it'll all go t!ts up and you'll have to live with that recommendation for the rest of your life. Having been though roughly what you have over the last few months I can fully appreciate the bloody inconvenience of being in one-hand-land for extended periods of time, and understand a tiny bit of what it would mean to spend the rest of your life like that.

I'm also about to get married, the missus (and family) know that I have no off button, and are dead set against the whole idea, but........ ....what would summer be without it? How would I validate riding on the road instead when it's almost as dangerous? How would I feel in 20 years time knowing I only gave it one shot on an underpowered bike? What happens when you run through a race lap in your mind and your heart no longer races and the adrenaline doesn't force you to sit up in bed?

I made my decision while I was still sliding along on my arse. I know I won't come back riding as hard, I have an evening with Geoff to thank for that. But I'll still out-brake the guys I did last year, and I'll do my best to make some smoother lines make up for the bravery that's going to be in short supply this season. I'm not going to scoop the championship, but I'll have a fecking great time battling for top 10 spots (hopefully) without doing myself too much injury. Come out and play, just remember there's an off switch. :D

Ali

Someone get that man a drink - he's beginning to make sense !!! :o:o:o:o

[Chris Wood]

Andy,

I have made a decsion to NOT ride on the road, as I believe the track is the safest and best option for me to enjoy riding in the way I want to ride.

Trackdays are great but I've learn't loads from DD last year in a welcoming and sportmanlike? environment. I would bever have considered racing outside of the DD series.

I'm with Ali and others on this one, do it and enjoy it at the level and pace and pressure you want to put onto your self that is BALANCED with the rest of your life, now and in the future.

My reflections on last year are all positive, I didn't do myself any damage so I can't empathise with you fully.

Personally I would like to see you out there with the rest of the 'budget' boys and girls in class B, having a cracking race series.

Cheers!

[weeksy2]

Andy,

The voice of someone who isn't/hasn't ridden in DD but has crashed and burned in the same way you did.

As you may be aware back in 2001 i crashed and shatterd my femur, broke 8 bones in my hand and wrist and collar bone in 2 places. It was over 12 months before i could walk without the aid of crutches again. I've got a 20" or so pin in my ffemur and 3 pieces of metalwork in hand and wrist.
So, where am i going with this you may be asking.... Well it eats you up inside... I can read between the lines slightly and you still feel like i have many many times, (and still do) that you have something to prove. Maybe to yourself, maybe to others... but there's still something you feel you've not fully scratched off the list as completed. Until you do... there will always be the niggle there in your mind

All of you 1-7 doubts are the exact same doubts each and every rider has when prepping the bike for the season.

The only big factor is your misuss...... Mine was part of the reason i called it a day from racing, this was mostly due to a few 'incidents' last season, and seeing how unhappy she would be made the decision a little easier.

Due to finances i'd already decided to quit anyhow but that was the final nail in the coffin.

I am fairly sure you will race this season, be that for 1 meeting or the series i don't know.... but reading you post, you WANT to race.... you're just having the usual doubts.

[Scooter916]

Andy
Not saying this will work But !
If the reason your undecided is the wife, Do what I do, Every night for as long as it takes mope around, put on BSB season review every night at about the same time all the soaps come on. You have to show no interest in anything other that bikes and racing them.
The good bit is after a few weeks she will be so monked off she will go out and buy the bloody bike for you, Bingo then its her idea.....
No promises but it worked for me.......:lol:
Glyn

[phil_h]

If you dont do it while you have a chance, you will regret it.
Forever.
If you have another go, and find its too much or whatever, dont do any more rounds. Nobody is forcing you to do every round.
And it IS FUN, its some of the best fun you can have without trousers on :lol:

Me, I'm trying to organise 4 race bikes for next year !
While I can still do it :D

[the old man]

asside from the cost, racing is dangerous so it has to be your own decission.

that said, i understand your position - i get withdrawl symptoms in the off season as nothing; riding on the road, track days etc; compares to racing.

balance that against the fact that i run my own business - if i don't work i don't get paid - so the possible concequence of an accident is very serious.

so whatever the decission it has to be your own. having said that if you race this year it will be great to pitch my tent next to you again.

[domski]

Originally posted by the old man
asside from the cost, racing is dangerous so it has to be your own decission.

that said, i understand your position - i get withdrawl symptoms in the off season as nothing; riding on the road, track days etc; compares to racing.

balance that against the fact that i run my own business - if i don't work i don't get paid - so the possible concequence of an accident is very serious.

so whatever the decission it has to be your own. having said that if you race this year it will be great to pitch my tent next to you again.

Crikey, where did you come from?

Welcome back Ian :D

[Washboard]

Originally posted by phil_h
If you dont do it while you have a chance, you will regret it.
Forever

Is that a threat?:lol:

[Washboard]

Mmmmm interesting place Cadwell Park...lovely circuit, amongst my favourite circuits, but I've raced since 1982 and only ever fallen off 3 times, EVERY time has been at Cadwell!!
So my suggestion is go for it, but fit stabilisers or ice racing tyres for Cadwell!
:eureka: