Beware of Con-Artists

[pirie593]

I have to admit, I have been well and truly conned 

After reading all the glowing stories arising out of the 09 Nats, I decided it was time to dust off the Mk 7 Pursang that I bought 2 years ago and go for a ride.  Did so yesterday.

First time on a 2-stroke since 1994.  Amazing how light and nimble bikes were back in the 70's.  The bike started on the 3rd kick, but what's with the stand to the left and kick with the right??  No electric start like that lovely looking 08 Yamah enduro bike parked next to me.

Now, what way is the choke on these Mikunies?  A lever system; up or down.  What happened to the button you pull out for on and push back for off?  What happened to the writing on the fuel tap that tells you its on or off???

Gear box seems to work OK.  One down for first and then up for the rest.  Hey, who shifted the gear lever and brake while I wasn't looking??  Hooking my foot under the left side lever didn't work for the upshift.  The when  I managed to focus on which foot was required for a particular function, braking didn't happen all that effectively with the kick-started neatly positioned to protect the lever from damage by the boot.

That's all right, because throttling off will cause deceleration due to engine braking !!!  Whooaa !!!!  That corner came up a bit quick; where's that engine braking;  must be right down on compression.

Still, there is the front brake and I remember from student days how drum brakes operate.  Nice firm pull on the lever; bit spongy and then a nice solid feel; ooops, a bit too solid.  The lever has bottomed out on the twist grip body.....lucky there was some run-off room... missed everything except that furrow...... phew.  Apart from the searing but momentary pain in my back, everything held together.  Thankful for that well tuned rear suspension, but not sure about the oil coating on the springs, shaft and shocker body.  It wasn't there when I unloaded the bike.

So, while yesterday certainly was mentally taxing, today is a time of physical pain and reflection.  Can't sit for too long due to the back dis-comfort.  Tennis elbow at the left from operating the clutch, at the right from the full stretch to reach the brake lever and wrist pain from operating the throttle.

I sit here and thank my lucky stars......what would it have been like if I had actually left the pits  ?? 

[jerry]

Pirie you have my understanding brother. My first race in 35 years yesterday. Similiar experience with MK3 Bultaco with gears on the wrong side. I thought after 35 years (last bike Ossa Phantom) I would start from a clean sheet as far as training my brain to shift with my right foot. Sadly I was wrong and in moments of crisis (every corner) my mind (whats left of it!) defaulted to left side shifting which made for some interesting approaches to corners. My competitors seemed to sense my problems and stayed well out of the way by accelearting into the distance. No matter I had fun and gave my friends who attended the meeting unlimited ammo to put shit on me on the way home. Cheers Jerry.
PS Already looking forward to the next race!

[pirie593]

Yeh, cant wait to ride the Greeves            

[DR]

hence why I'll NEVER buy a newer or late model bike..I might actually like it TOO much!

[VMX247]

Treatment could include:
 * Psychological intervention and/or counselling.
    * Psychiatric treatment.
    * Learning other forms of effective coping techniques.ie:official duties,steward,scrutineer,flagging.
    * Understanding and support from family members,vmx friends and doctors.
    * Medical treatment for the physical injuries.
    * Until the self-harming behavior is under control, advice on harm minimisation techniques; for example, how to keep ones bike well maintained,spending more money on maintenance and safety items.ie neck brace.
    * Until the self-harming behaviour is under control, first aid training and adequate supplies of first aid equipment at the track (such as bandages,antiseptic solution and alcohol).

Other forms of coping
 * Regular exercise
    * Stress management
    * Counselling
    * Forms of personal expression, such as writing or painting
    * Relaxation therapy
    * Yoga and meditation.
Things to remember
 * Self-harm is the deliberate injuring of oneself in an attempt to cope with strong feelings such as anger, despair ,marriage or mid life crises.
    * Many workers in the medical and health professions don’t understand VMX and often react in negative ways.         

[jerry]

I'm a paramedic. I should know better.

[Rossvickicampbell]

I thoroughly enjoyed myself after my first VMX ride - that is until Tuesday, Wednesday...........  Nobody ever warned me about delayed pain and an inability to walk like I hadn't spent all day on a horse! 

[GD66]

Pirie, are you an official, card-carrying Old Fart ? Then the answer is Nurofen, son. Before, during, and after....

And it doesn't hurt to have a bit of a stretch before you go for a gallop, either.

And the more often you ride, the less it hurts.

But it'll be worth it, mate.   

[pirie593]

Am an official Old Fart  !!!!

66, all your suggestions have a familiar ring, but from the 60's and early 70's.  Stopped ingesting chemicals back then and my smooth lines regarding "a bit of a stretch" and less pain left me celibate.   

I'm working on the idea that a good massage will do the trick; before, during and after   

So far, zilch......

PS  have had computer brought to bedside...the nurses are very helpful