its not over yet! With Winter upon us I can't help reflecting back on the season just finished and thinking about next season. This time though is kind of a milestone for me having just finished my 10th season of doing trackdays and being with Nesba. 10 yrs ago I asked my wife if she thought it crazy of me at age 55 to be concidering taking a sportbike out on a real race track, something I had dreamed about since I first had a motorized set of wheels when I was 13. The rest is in the history books I guess. First a day in the Beginner class and having then CR and righthand man to the SE director, Brian Johnson ask me after one of those early sessions at CMP "what the heck do you think you are doing out there??" I guess he felt bad about the exchange because he bumped me to Intermediate the next day where I stayed quite happily for the next 2 1/2 yrs. Then along comes Brian again and tells me "Mr. Whitmore, you are having way too much fun out there, go play in A!" After another 2 1/2 yrs I was asked if I would like to be a CR which I have done for the last 5 yrs now.
I will come right out and say that I am much slower now on the track than I was several yrs ago but I feel I'm still a pretty good rider and have a lot of valuable input for those of you working your way through our grouping system, especially fun for me now are the first timers and the Beginner group in general.
I would have to say that these last 10 yrs of my bike riding (almost all of it on the track) have been the best of the last 50. I have had so much fun and made so many good friends at the track. I have been hurt a few times due to crashing but I would do it all over again if given the chance. For me its always been about having a good time while learning to be a better rider. I'm following my own advice and staying in my comfort zone which means going slower now but still having a great time.
I look forward to seeing everyone again next season but I will tell you now I won't be out there as much. With 5 grandkids chasing after me my time on the bike is getting shorter. Actually I hope to be with Nesba for many more yrs but just not in the same role as a full-time CR. We'll see.
Thank you all for being there, my Nesba family means so much too me!
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays guys!
Earle
SECR
I will come right out and say that I am much slower now on the track than I was several yrs ago but I feel I'm still a pretty good rider and have a lot of valuable input for those of you working your way through our grouping system, especially fun for me now are the first timers and the Beginner group in general.
I would have to say that these last 10 yrs of my bike riding (almost all of it on the track) have been the best of the last 50. I have had so much fun and made so many good friends at the track. I have been hurt a few times due to crashing but I would do it all over again if given the chance. For me its always been about having a good time while learning to be a better rider. I'm following my own advice and staying in my comfort zone which means going slower now but still having a great time.
I look forward to seeing everyone again next season but I will tell you now I won't be out there as much. With 5 grandkids chasing after me my time on the bike is getting shorter. Actually I hope to be with Nesba for many more yrs but just not in the same role as a full-time CR. We'll see.
Thank you all for being there, my Nesba family means so much too me!
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays guys!
Earle
SECR
