‘GETTING OLDER DOES NOT MEAN GETTING SLOWER’

The bloke in the lairy leathers came past me as if I was standing still... and yet he looked in total control of his ten-year-old TDM.

“I’m not having that,” snarled my inner demon. The Ducati SuperSport surged forwards as I gave chase. A few corners later and the smooth TDM rider had disappeared into the distance. Feeling somewhat inadequate, I pulled into the next roadside café and headed inside for a cuppa. On my way in I noticed the TDM parked up and the white-haired rider was also heading for brew. I discovered this 73-year-old biker of nearly 60 years loved to get out on his do-it-all Yamaha as much as he could. Age does not necessarily slow you down. Look at how good Rossi still is (see page 28) and I loved watching 2003 WSB champ Neil Hodgson bashing elbows with Kyle Ryde, Taz Mackenzie and co at the London Show in the Thunderdrome last weekend. Michael Rutter and John McGuinness are also still very fast at 40 and prove that it’s not always about the exuberance of youth. Sometimes experience and a wise head can work well when the heat is really on.