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When nerves get the better of you

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 7, 2025, 11:41 am

In 1988 I did the classic Manx on my 350 Ducati. In those days it was push and bump start and as I had to put very gear on and my 350 could be a bit of an animal to start I spent a lot of time in the practise week making sure I new how warm the engine should be and how many steps I needed to run before dropping the clutch. By the time for my race had come I had perfected it and was confident of a good start. The rider pushing off with me was a good friend and rival so was looking forward to a great race with him. The nerves building up on the start line the flag was dropped and off we pushed. I took my usual amount of steps then dropped the clutch to the sound of nothing then started running again jumped on still nothing. I am now still pushing alongside the grandstand when I looked down BOLLOCKS!!! I had forgotten to turn the ignition on. I then reached down switch on and away I went but the old mod told me that most of the grandstand had seen my error and it didn't help when the commentator also saw it and announced over the tannoy. Took a while to live that one down but at least I finished and got my finishers medal from the great Geoff Duke in the evening award ceremony. I'm nearest the camera number 68.

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by Will <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Will' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 7, 2025, 12:00 pm, in reply to "When nerves get the better of you"

Most push start from the left but you're on the right. Are you left handed / left footed or is it just a technique that worked for you? On a full grid is it awkward for everyone else to have someone on the "wrong side"?

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 7, 2025, 12:13 pm, in reply to "Re: When nerves get the better of you"

Will I cannot push a bike on the left and it does cause problems when loaded bikes into my van or on to my workbench as the stands are on the left. The old mod always new where I was on the starting grid as I was the one standing on the different side to the rest of the grid. Most of my race starts were done by sitting astride the bike and paddling it off which did help getting through the pack at the start. While other riders were trying to cock there legs over the seat I was already on my bike in the seat. Although I am right handed there are some things I do on the wrong side ie I can't use a computer mouse with my right hand only my left. Used to get many comments at work when people said they didn't realise I was left handed. I'm not just bloody awkward

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by Will <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Will' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 7, 2025, 12:25 pm, in reply to "Re: When nerves get the better of you"

I had a similar issue when I used to shoot. I could only accurately shoot a rifle "left handed", using my right hand to support the gun & my left on the trigger which is fine until it came to operating the bolt when I would switch hands.

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by MadMike <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=MadMike' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 7, 2025, 1:18 pm, in reply to "Re: When nerves get the better of you"

I used to do a bit of clay shooting ad remember watching an old guy hitting everything that flew, but it took me a while to figure out what he did.
He would shout pull, the clay would fly...BANG...clay sho down. For those that don't know as you hit the clay the next clay comes from the other direction. Then I realised what he was doing. For the first shot the shogun was fired from the right shoulder, then he would swap shoulders to take the second shot. He did it so quickly that it took some time to spot what he did.

Other opinions may be available but this one is always correct.

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 7, 2025, 1:03 pm, in reply to "Re: When nerves get the better of you"

I would give my right arm to be ambidextrous

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by laverdabru <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=laverdabru' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 7, 2025, 1:32 pm, in reply to "Re: When nerves get the better of you"

There was a bloke, Colin in my old local who only had one arm. One evening a group of rather annoying, noisy people came in. The landlady noticed a young lady with them was wearing a badge 'I would give my right arm to be ambidextrous'

Pam had a wicked sense of humour. 'Colin at the end of the bar would LOVE that badge' She turned to him, (he had a big grin on his face) & went white. They left shortly afterwards.

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 7, 2025, 6:31 pm, in reply to "Re: When nerves get the better of you"

I can just picture that Bru

.

Used to work with a disabled guy who was in a wheelchair, likewise had a wicked sense of humour, especially about his disability, lovely bloke rode a motorcycle for a few years, but got his disability through a hang gliding accident

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by Leon Novello <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Leon+Novello' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 8, 2025, 2:28 am, in reply to "Re: When nerves get the better of you"

I use a left-handed mouse, so I can hold a glass of Merlot without spilling it on the keyboard.

Leon Novello

Re: When nerves get the better of you

Posted by A65Bill <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=A65Bill' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 12, 2025, 1:34 pm, in reply to "When nerves get the better of you"

My Dad told me only to do as many steps as it took to get the bike up to speed, hop on, drop the clutch, left foot on peg, right leg swing over with throttle wide open, lean forwards to put front wheel back down.
With strong legs, my average was 5 steps!
I practiced on my D14 & then a load of bigger bikes away from watching eyes, but still dropped a Goldie 3 times from the front. all for the same start. I was demoted to the back & just concentrated on not being lapped.

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