Road Racing - do we agree?

[captain sensible]

If you told me that I could go road racing for 15 years and that I wouldn't see my the kids grow up,  I'd buy the best life insurance policy and go for it.

I can't explain it,  its horrendously selfish,  and I'd do it in a heart beat.

[Carbon_ZX6R]

If you told me that I could go road racing for 15 years and that I wouldn't see my the kids grow up,  I'd buy the best life insurance policy and go for it.

I can't explain it,  its horrendously selfish,  and I'd do it in a heart beat.

don't quite think ive got that in me with my first on the way

[captain sensible]

Ive got 3 kids and is something that is always in the back of my mind, but they have also made me want it more.

Growing up the two things I wanted to do was either be a knight or a road racer, now I've been doing medieval reenactment for over 15 years and taken part in and even won a few tournaments but being a road racer is still something that  has so far eluded me, id be happy if I only ever rode at Scarborough and aberdeer, because in my mind (as broken as it is) what example am I setting my kids if I dont follow my dreams just because something might happen.

[Nat]

In other words, do some people need protecting from themselves?

No.  If information on the risks is provided and someone decides to carry on anyway then it is their choice.  If we protect everyone from everything which might harm them then a) we'll end up with a species which has no concept of danger and that cannot protect itself, b) we'll be overpopulated because no one will die, c) they might take chocolate away from me and that'd be bad for everyone.

If we have to protect people from themselves then motorcycling in its entirety, not just racing, would have to be banned.

[Lord Danoir the first]

In other words, do some people need protecting from themselves?

No.  If information on the risks is provided and someone decides to carry on anyway then it is their choice.  If we protect everyone from everything which might harm them then a) we'll end up with a species which has no concept of danger and that cannot protect itself, b) we'll be overpopulated because no one will die, c) they might take chocolate away from me and that'd be bad for everyone.

If we have to protect people from themselves then motorcycling in its entirety, not just racing, would have to be banned.

Not even a mental evaluation to ensure that they're sound of mind and fully aware of the risks? After all, a rider has to prove he/she is physically capable.

[Superkev]

In other words, do some people need protecting from themselves?

No.  If information on the risks is provided and someone decides to carry on anyway then it is their choice.  If we protect everyone from everything which might harm them then a) we'll end up with a species which has no concept of danger and that cannot protect itself, b) we'll be overpopulated because no one will die, c) they might take chocolate away from me and that'd be bad for everyone.

If we have to protect people from themselves then motorcycling in its entirety, not just racing, would have to be banned.

Not even a mental evaluation to ensure that they're sound of mind and fully aware of the risks? After all, a rider has to prove he/she is physically capable.

That's what the bike test is supposed to do ;-)
So I guess back in the day you had to prove it less, just ride around the block and don't crash.

[Alzo]

Helps to be a bit mental...I'm mental and proud.

[Lord Danoir the first]

If you told me that I could go road racing for 15 years and that I wouldn't see my the kids grow up,  I'd buy the best life insurance policy and go for it.

I can't explain it,  its horrendously selfish,  and I'd do it in a heart beat.

I do find that quite a remarkable state of mind. Assuming you've lost someone close to you at some point, you'll appreciate how painful it is. I couldn't imagine knowingly putting Anna through that.

Off topic slightly, but when we got married and the photo's came back, I realised how fat I'd become and decided to do something about it, not because I was fat, but because I didn't want to run the unnecessary risk of associated health problems and putting Anna through the worry of my health.
I do feel you have an obligation to look after yourself when you've got a family..... if I had kids, I'd be obsessed with my health.

[ash]

If you told me that I could go road racing for 15 years and that I wouldn't see my the kids grow up,  I'd buy the best life insurance policy and go for it.

I can't explain it,  its horrendously selfish,  and I'd do it in a heart beat.

I do find that quite a remarkable state of mind. Assuming you've lost someone close to you at some point, you'll appreciate how painful it is. I couldn't imagine knowingly putting Anna through that.

Off topic slightly, but when we got married and the photo's came back, I realised how fat I'd become and decided to do something about it, not because I was fat, but because I didn't want to run the unnecessary risk of associated health problems and putting Anna through the worry of my health.
I do feel you have an obligation to look after yourself when you've got a family..... if I had kids, I'd be obsessed with my health.

I've got grown up kids and a grandaughter now. On a selfish level, I'd like to be fitter than I am to see them grow up, but I am a diabetic so know that will probably knock 10 years off my life irrespective of how I live it.

I feel a whole lot more vulnerable when on the pushbike than on the motorbike, I guess it depens on how defensively you ride, and how hard you ride.

[Nat]

Not even a mental evaluation to ensure that they're sound of mind and fully aware of the risks? After all, a rider has to prove he/she is physically capable.

I don't know what kind of mental evaluation would be effective really - we all know that riding a motorcycle is dangerous because we're vulnerable to impact etc, but we all do it.  We know the risks and have lost members on here, but we do it anyway.  Does this make us unsound?  What kind of evaluation would pick up whether someone truly knows they could get hurt?

[Lord Danoir the first]

What kind of evaluation would pick up whether someone truly knows they could get hurt?

dunno..... couple of pencils up the notrils, and repeatedly muttering "wibble"?

or

you could ask "do you truly know, you could get hurt" and if they answer "no"..... badabing!!.... or wibble, as we say in the 'pencil nose' club

[Gilby104]

What kind of evaluation would pick up whether someone truly knows they could get hurt?

dunno..... couple of pencils up the notrils, and repeatedly muttering "wibble"?

or

you could ask "do you truly know, you could get hurt" and if they answer "no"..... badabing!!.... or wibble, as we say in the 'pencil nose' club

problem you've got is when you were doing those things as a younger man you bloody well meant them. It would be like going back to your teenage self and telling them not to bother with lots of stupid stuff..... just not how it works!

[captain sensible]

I was watching closer to the edge earlier with my son, and it was something thst Bridget dobbs said "you in cant love the loss but you cant love the rsving without knowing it's part of it".

Something that every racer knows is that there is always a chance that it could be their time, some make sure everything's in order before they head off like mcpint, others just go and don't think about it.

but one thing that my son said was that all the riders where very brave and they are old enough to decide, as he wouldn't stop his sister playing on the trampoline, even though she broke her leg on it.