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[ BEEN THERE, GOT THE T-SHIRT ]
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This T-shirt was given to me by the organisers of the Centennial Classic TT Festival held at Assen in May 1998. I was an invited rider/competitor – I was sidecar passenger to Graham Milton riding the two ‐stroke, flat-four British Magnum he developed with Tony Wakefield in the mid-70s. I rode with both Graham and Tony during this period – both had great success at the Isle of Man Sidecar TT races and at Grand Prix level riding their BMWs prior to the two-stroke era. It was such a wonderful privilege for me to be able to passenger both over several years. The T-shirt is still as new, hanging in my wardrobe and never worn.
IF YOU’VE GOT AN OLD T-SHIRT
LIKE COLIN’S AND FANCY SEEING IT IN BIKE, TAKE APICTURE OF THE WHOLE SHIRT, ARMS INCLUDED, AND EMAIL IT TO THE ADDRESS AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE. IF WE PUBLISH IT WE’LL SEND YOU ANEW T-SHIRT.
Incredible insight
Mat Oxley’s interview with Tommy Bridewell (Bike, June) really jolted me.
The 2007 Mallory Park weekend was my first BSB event, and due to the horrendous weather I got there late on the Friday and didn’t go to the circuit until Saturday. My family and I had pit lane access for the weekend and were wandering around while noticing how sombre it felt, not realising until later that there had been a fatality on the Friday.
The racing on the Sunday was interspersed with numerous safety cars, but was fully committed by all riders regardless of age or experience.
Mat’s superb writing gives a window into the mentality required to risk life and limb in the pursuit of success. I’ll be at the Knockhill BSB round – and while generally being non ‐partisan, I’ll be cheering Tommy on and remembering Ollie, too.
Atail order
I understand how evolution means we continue to make bikes better, faster, cleaner, etc. But is it just me, or have the rear ends of modern bikes become really ugly and impractical?
Take the defining sportsbike from the ’90s: the Fireblade. You could keep your sandwiches, tools and gloves under the generous hinged passenger seat, which you could actually take a passenger on.
Compare that to the cutting ‐edge rear end on the Suzuki GSX-8R. You can’t put anything anywhere or attach anything, let alone carry a passenger in comfort to the Bol d’Or in the south of France.
It appears all modern bikes are following this totally useless trend.
Given that the average age of the UK biker is now well into their 50s, I’m almost sure they would all prefer the practical ’90s option rathe
