Getting back into motorcycling is an amazing journey of discovery and rediscovery. But if you’re set on recreating an image of yourself at the peak of your earlier abilities, it can end in disaster. At the very least, you won’t enjoy it as much.
There’s much to learn, skills to hone, good times to be had and fantastic people to meet. Don’t rush it. As a biker, you know that the journey can be as good as the destination.
A lot of us thought we were the next Valentino Rossi when we were young. Or Aaron Slight, or Mick Doohan, or Freddie Spencer, Sheene, Hailwood, Agostini...how far back do you go?
The thing is, the passage of time and the telling of stories over a cold glass can paint an unrealistic picture of the past. And time out of the game inevitably means your automatic skills and instincts aren’t as sharp as they were.
Sadly, returning motorcyclists feature heavily in all the bad statistics: crashes, injuries, even deaths. You might think you’re the exception, and perhaps you are. But a bit of extra caution when you start out again is never a bad idea. Nor is sharpening up your skills, taking training or doing all you can to protect yourself if you do have an ‘off’.
In fact, doing some training is one of the most enjoyable things you can do as a rider. The sorts of courses and quality of training around today just weren’t available before, so why not treat yourself? Pace yourself as you build your skills and riding ability back up, and you’ll enjoy it all the more.
