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| Glencrutchery Road |
Memo: A goal unwritten is only a wish.
There is a bucket list event coming up.
190 Days, 6 hours from now (May 28 through June 10) the TT will begin on the Isle of Man. I was there before (at least a million years ago). Is it time to return? And can I scam some sort of pit slot with one of many Ducati racing entries? During the TT, the price of everything in the Manx homeland is triple or more, so I need to marshal my zloties to see if I can swing the adventure. While it's fine going as a belching tourist, it's always more fun if you can spend some time in the pits.
I'm not presently certain how to make this work the way that I want to, but since I'm actually a part of an official Ducati Factory Riding Club now, there may be a way to worm myself into some sort of interesting position. Politics and cash (the universal lubricant) work... the question is how much lubricant (a possible tax deductible/advertising expense Consulting Services sponsorship for the bike and team). I just called up my partners and am urging them on to greatness for this very outcome that we can all enjoy.
I've (apparently) successfully scammed a trip to Leeds and Edinburgh through my work with IBM and UNT this spring. Karma would seem to be on my side.
It would be another trip that the Diavel would have to sit out back home in the garage. As utterly COOL as it would be to ride my Diavel at break-neck speeds down that course, I'd likely kill myself, bend the scooter --- or both.
In case you haven't seen it already: http://www.iomttbreaks.com/blog
ReplyDelete$300 a night for a bed and breakfast seems a bit high to me, but yes, that's the sort of baseline rate that I expected to pay. The place sells out. The Isle of Man is a small local and the narrow roads are very difficult to negotiate on a super bike moving at 100 mph.
DeleteForget racing your Diavel, if you value the paint job, mirrors, turn signals and exhaust pipes that will get the holy shit scraped out of them once you dump it going into a turn at 100 mph.
ReplyDeleteThen of course there would be the damage to you: a grease spot on the turn in question.
I enjoy your posts too much for you to pursue this suicidal dream of cranking that death machine through the gears in a competitive situation. Trust me, LL: like giving a bottle of Wild Turkey and the car keys to a 1969 GTO convertible to a 16 year old. Nothing good would come of it.
Unfortunately, nobody listens to dumb ol' Fredd. But they should.
I'm part of a factory riding club, not racing club. I essentially bought the t-shirt. It's a social thing with roughly 50 hard core riders in Los Angeles. I'm too old and frail to race seriously. I hate to say it, but I don't have the reactions of an 18 year old. The ego, yes.
DeleteI see. So, you and your riding club buddies obey all traffic laws, and accordingly, there's no speeding or burn outs with you guys. To do so would bring scorn upon the offender from the club. Is that how it works with you guys? (no gals, I need not be Carnac the Magnificent to know this).
ReplyDeleteLOL... loved Carmac the Magnificent...
DeleteFred, you're right. We are the souls of innocence where obeying the vehicle code is concerned. Exceeding the posted (or safe) speed would indeed bring scorn and shame from other members of the club. Such is the very nature of people who ride Ducatis.
DeleteLarry, here's how I see it: Life's too short not to do things you want to. Grab every fine opportunity when you can.
ReplyDeleteLeeds is a great city (as is Edinburgh) as I've no doubt you know. How fortuitous. Here's a link to some fine dining for lunch or tea. You're welcome :)
http://www.timeout.com/leeds/restaurants/the-best-restaurants-in-leeds
I didn't see Pickles & Potter on the list (great lunch spot in Leeds) and their memorable beef sandwich, and The Fisherman's Wife for a chippy. Both are in the city center area. I haven't been to Leeds for a few years so those spots may be closed, but they were good last time I rolled through on my way from there to here. (not on a motorcycle, unfortunately) Can I rent a motorcycle in Leeds?
DeleteP. S. Can you guarantee a window of balmy, warm, rain-free days in February during which I could ride the bike? Otherwise, I may be confined in black taxis.
DeleteThe memorable Fishermans wife got into a pickle when she pottered about with the beef sandwich in the chippy. Such is life.
ReplyDeleteLeeds is notorious for bikes...and renting them.
I can guarantee warm and possibly balmy and definitely barmy so long as you stay indoors. Was you need is a high class chauffeur in an Aston Martin or Range Rover.