Back in the Saddle 2!
Published: 14th November 2007
Author: Stephen Sword
After his second major injury setback Swordy’s getting ready for his second major comeback…
This month has been a good one and very busy for me as I’m off the crutches and walking well again. A couple of weeks ago I started riding for the first time since Namur – the fact that I had a brand new practice bike staring me in the face every time I went into the garage was enough to give me itchy feet. The weather’s been pretty good down here so the conditions have helped me ease my way into riding again.
I feel good and all things are going in a positive direction. I will continue to ride in November and December along with physical training with DT. It’s going to be hard work but I feel I will cope okay. I’m still having physio every week to help get more strength and stability in my ankle. In my head I’ve put the injuries and the last two seasons behind me – there’s nothing I can do to change that now but I can work hard all winter and come out fighting next year!
I don’t see there being any problems. Molson Kawasaki have been working very hard and I’m pleased to be part of their team for ’08. I’ll also be continuing with Fox Racing for 2008 – they are a great company to be involved with and their kit is pretty awesome too – and next season will be my eighth with Oakley goggles so, like I said, everything is looking positive.
I’ve been busy around the house again. I had 270 square metres of turf to lay in my garden. I’m no Alan Titchmarsh but there was no way I was going to pay someone to do it after some of the quotes I got. It took me a couple of days to finish and I reckon it looks pretty good. I’ve been rolling it a couple of times a week but I’ve yet to give it a first cut – next time you see me at the startline preparing my rut don’t be surprised to see me with a roller and my gardening tools!
Anyway, enough of that – let’s talk about the real stuff. Golf! TC held a golf day recently for all the people and sponsors who have helped him over the year. I apologise if TC didn’t invite you – he left me sweating for a while saying I wasn’t a sponsor. I mentioned all those years I looked after him and cleaned up after him (remember the chicken chow mein?) when I stayed at Marshfield and the fact that it was me who got him started on golf in the first place! Finally he relented and let me come. About 20 people turned up so we were split into groups and I had the pleasure of playing with Dale from Six Six One and Thorpey. It was a great course, great day out, nice meal in the evening and I had my best result of the year with a third overall! You can imagine what it was like on the first tee with everyone watching and trying to put you off. I managed to send mine straight down the middle but I’m glad they didn’t all see my second shot. Fantastic day TC and I can’t wait for you to sort it out next year.
I had to attend a Fox day that was being held at Albion Motorcycles in Exeter. Basically, Albion are a Fox dealer and they were having an open day with all the ’08 kit on display. I know Gary and his family from when I rode Albion KTM in 2002 and 2003. I only ever went to his shop in Exmouth and his new shop is much bigger and better. There was a good turn out and it was cool for me to meet up with some old faces I haven’t seen for a while.
I also had a flying visit from the editor this week. Yep, Mr SL popped in for a coffee and a chat. He was nursing a sore head after a night drinking with Mr Rich Tea (Geoff Walker). It was good to see him looking super fit. I didn’t have any Rich Teas so he had to settle for Hob Nobs instead.
Over the next weeks I have a few schoolboy club presentations to attend. I can’t say who as they told me to keep it quiet but I’m looking forward to them.
As soon as I’ve finished this column Jodie and I are flying off to Dubai for a week in the sun. Our last holiday was two years ago due to the injuries I’ve had and we’re both pretty excited and looking forward to it. And as soon as we’re back I’ll be getting down to the serious business of getting ready for next season…
Catch ya later!