Messed up!
By TMX Archives on 16th Sep 04
Jeffro breaks the pain barrier on the Isle of Wight but survives to tell the tale... I HAVE to ask myself why do I keep ending up in situations like this? It's 6.37am the morning after the final British championship round on the Isle of Wight and I'm trying to type with eyes that resemble the slot on my piggy bank (try using your fingers then moron - Sutty). Yesterday I went beyond my physical abilities, nearly passed out and then - just to make sure I look as well as feel like a train wreck - had a few drinks with escaped lunatic Jonny O who I haven't seen for close to 12 years. He's still mental at the age of 107 or whatever he is. The icing on the 'I feel like ***t' cake is that I had to sleep on the sofa after Laura unintentionally locked me out of my own bedroom after she slipped into a comatose state. So I've had minimal sleep (a spring dug in my arse all night), fingers that are still cramped in the grip position and somehow I've got to get this typed out. Yet I'd do it all again tomorrow if I only had the energy but yesterday has taken it all out of me and I only finished one moto. Pathetic isn't it? It was another scorching day at Gore Basin, it was also another enjoyable but very tough day - just like it was at the GP (although this time in a different way). Finally I've ridden the track that I helped bring to life and I loved it and loathed it. Loved it for the way it flowed, the lines, the prime soil and beautiful jumps. But hated it because I was close to flat-lining on the bike and only just survived to the finish. It was like when the Indians sent a cowboy back into town slumped dead over his mule. Although at the time I didn't think it was worth the effort - in fact the way I feel right now I'm still not so sure - but eventually I'll know it was. The fruits of my labour were a 13th place finish and a fainting feeling - I thought my head was gonna explode like a champagne cork. When I slumped off the bike I couldn't have got my kit off quicker if I was on a promise from Laura - and even then I needed help in stripping off. Even though it may not have shown, I went through my own private battle out there. I came past my bro Shawn and he had '10 mins + 2' written on the board - within seconds I'd worked out that I still had seven laps to suffer. I figured I'd stop and snap the pit board over his head on the very next lap. Anyway, I proved to myself I can still be competitive and that was enough for me. Before the day began I'd worked out that I'd only ridden eight times since returning from America in March - four races, three tests and one practice. You just can't expect to be good at this level without riding as much as you can, especially when your most vigorous training regime includes coffee and TV. Somehow I managed to cross the line in both races at Pontrilas - I think Bob Lewis must have slipped some steroids into my tea. Bob's been brewing and stewing for over half-a-century and his tea's magic, I wouldn't be surprised if he's knocked up a performance enhancing cuppa over the years. Oh the Lewis clan, it's always a pleasure. Pontrilas was my first outing on the dbr Kawasaki so it was cool just to finish both races for the first time this year. What with the all the stupid crashes I've been involved in. I even managed to score some points, which I was pleased about as I was on my arse yet again in both motos. I had no rear brake in the first after the disc got bent and went over the bars trying to make it into a deep rut. It was right in front of Wakker who was watching on, making sure all his hard work in prepping the bike was justified. In the second moto I had grand delusions that I was Bubba and tried passing seven riders in one corner by jumping across three ruts and landing perfectly in another. In the real world I jumped across six ruts but the bike managed only one and I wasn't so much as seven up, more like 14 down. Incredibly, I passed the majority of them back and rolled in 19th and had fun doing it. I've enjoyed the last two rounds just chilling out again. People have asked why I'm now out on a Kawasaki and not riding for RTT Honda. Well, the answer is simple really - I just want to pursue my own interests and do what I want, when I want. I'm too used to it now to do any different. Don't get me wrong, being involved with setting up the team and the monumental effort of the GP was an experience I'm thankful for but there's a lot to be said about doing your own thing. Of course, I wish everyone at RTT continued success and I'm especially looking forward to going back to the GP next year when hopefully I shall have more time to appreciate the atmosphere. That is, unless, I get strong, fit and toned and make my grand prix comeback. Surely there's a slot available for a hunky fireman stripper in the lap-dancing tent - it's not like I'm not used to wearing a thong! Jeff Perrett