Daredevil DAUGHTER
Mum Julie Diamond, 36, from Crawley, can only watch in awe…
Motorbikes have been in my family since I was a young girl. My dad Keith, now 70, is something of a bike nut, always fixing up some kind of beautiful machine. When I was a kid, he even got me a little scrambler motocross bike. The roar of the engine, the wind in my hair… It was amazing! Now I even have my own licence, and, every year, we have a family day out to the Motorcycle Live show at Birmingham’s NEC Arena.
Then, in 2013, they added more child-friendly elements.
Immediately hooked, my daughter Bethany, eight, loved the mini circuits where instructors taught youngsters the basics of riding a children’s motocross bike.
At the show last December,
we were watching stunt riders performing daring jumps through fire and flips over cars. Bethany was awestruck. ‘I want to do that…’ she said. Later we saw a young girl on a motorbike riding around while standing on the seat. ‘Mum, look!’ Bethany cried. Speaking to the girl’s mum, she mentioned the Tigers Motorcycle Display Team, near Portsmouth. It’s a club where kids can learn how to ride a motorcycle and safely perform stunts. ‘When can I start?’ Bethany begged. Tryouts for the team were held in January, and Bethany passed with flying colours! She proved to be a natural, taking to everything thrown at her enthusiastically. Dedicated to the team, she never complains about getting up early every Sunday and making the 90-minute trip to the six-hour training sessions. As long as she’s on a bike, she’s happy!
Since joining Tigers, Bethany’s performed in bike shows across the country.
The team puts on a dazzling routine wherever they go, with my brave girl jumping through fire.
She’s Crawley’s very own Evel Knievel! Though it’s an unusual Thrilling!
hobby, I never worry about her safety. In October, Bethany will move up to the senior’s team, which means more risky stunts like jumping over cars. ‘Maybe now I should be worried!’ I teased when she told me. Junior team members can rent bikes, but seniors must bring their own, so we’re currently looking for a good machine. ‘I’ll help you find one,’ my dad beamed. He’s watched his daredevil granddaughter at countless training sessions and shows. Her fearlessness in taking on anything is truly inspiring. I’m one very proud motormum.