06-17-2016, 02:53 AM
I am absolutely torn about the Isle of Man. Very rich history (since 1907), which I have witnessed since the late 60's, and by witnessing I mean in reports in motorcycle magazines, TV broadcasts etc. No one forces the riders to race, it's their free will. There is no question it's the most dangerous motorcycle racing on the planet with riders dying every year. (The Isle of Man TT event – which has been going around for the past 100 years – alone has caused over 220 deaths.) If it weren't for the money it brings in from tourists, I can't imagine it not being outlawed years ago like every form of motorcycle street racing has in every developed country.
I have zero interest in racing on a race track where there are runs off and crash barriers, where it's wide and open, where there are marshalls to worn of debris on track, and everyone is going in the same direction at close to the same speeds. I have even less interest in racing my buddies on the street, where traffic is going at least 4 directions at once, where there are driveways, and debris and dead animals and blind corners, and blind rises, and distracted drivers. I would have even less interest in racing at the Isle of Man where there are boulder walls, rock fences, trees, buildings, and spectators lining the road and the ability to legally ride as fast as your bike will go.
Can't imagine the joys and the utter despair that island has brought the women in the Dunlop family, and parents, wives and children around the world. Geuess it is no different than a zillion other super dangerous things we humans do in the name of adventure, but I guess it affects me more because I am a motorcyclist. I don't High-altitude climb mountains, or heli-ski down giant mountains by jumping out of a helicopter, or base jump off cliffs with a giant flying squirrel costume on, or cave dive, or run with bulls. I have no mental association with those sports. I do with motorcycles. I understand what drives some men, however those thoughts do not drive me. I am glad to have survived riding a street motorcycle as long as I have. There have been close calls over the years, some very close, some too close. I am not going to temp fate any more than I have to , to enjoy this sport. I wish nothing but the best to those that accept the challenge though.
I have zero interest in racing on a race track where there are runs off and crash barriers, where it's wide and open, where there are marshalls to worn of debris on track, and everyone is going in the same direction at close to the same speeds. I have even less interest in racing my buddies on the street, where traffic is going at least 4 directions at once, where there are driveways, and debris and dead animals and blind corners, and blind rises, and distracted drivers. I would have even less interest in racing at the Isle of Man where there are boulder walls, rock fences, trees, buildings, and spectators lining the road and the ability to legally ride as fast as your bike will go.
Can't imagine the joys and the utter despair that island has brought the women in the Dunlop family, and parents, wives and children around the world. Geuess it is no different than a zillion other super dangerous things we humans do in the name of adventure, but I guess it affects me more because I am a motorcyclist. I don't High-altitude climb mountains, or heli-ski down giant mountains by jumping out of a helicopter, or base jump off cliffs with a giant flying squirrel costume on, or cave dive, or run with bulls. I have no mental association with those sports. I do with motorcycles. I understand what drives some men, however those thoughts do not drive me. I am glad to have survived riding a street motorcycle as long as I have. There have been close calls over the years, some very close, some too close. I am not going to temp fate any more than I have to , to enjoy this sport. I wish nothing but the best to those that accept the challenge though.