Double Act!
Published: 17th February 2007
Author: Words by Stephen Sword Photo by Sutty
It's getting harder and harder each month to write different things in my column and try to keep it interesting for you readers as I'm pretty much doing the same thing day-in, day-out.
Saying that, I did have a visit last week from some uninvited guests who ripped into me and gave me so much stick about my column being boring - they both 'work' for DBR and go by the names of Sutty and Walker. Sutty is the Deputy Dawger or Dawg in a Bawg in the January '07 issue and there are some cool pictures of him - his style reminds me a lot of a young Kurt Nicoll. As for Walker, well, he was his usual self, demanding tea and biscuits as soon as he walked in the door.
I put some AMA supercross on which I recorded the night before while we sat down and had a cuppa. Sutty got all excited watching Bubba and RC and started to dribble - I had to turn it off in the end as he was getting waaay too hyper! By this point Walker had done a whole packet of Rich Tea...
Anyway, the point of the visit (apart from watching SX and eating biscuits) was to get some more pics of me - I've been out of racing for nine months now so they need some up-to-date stuff rather than the old shots they've had to use. Believe it or not it was actually good to see them - hope this month's column ain't too boring for you fellas... And do come again - so I can rip into you even more next time!
On a more serious note now, everything is coming together along well with my training and I'm getting my leg much stronger every week. The training I'm doing with DT is helping a lot - the main focus is on getting really good strength and stability in my ankle and leg while getting good endurance and cardio work done. I know what I have to do and where I want to get to so there's only one way - keep my head down and work very hard.
Hot Tub popped in on his way back from Belgium to drop off my practice bike and some spares. It feels great to get my new bike and kit through - something I've really missed.
Although it's only February I feel very comfortable with the team but it has to be said I do know most of them and most of them know me. My mechanic Serge is a good guy and although we haven't met up this year yet we've kept in touch over the phone. He's motivated to get good results this year and seems very hard-working which I like.
We've been packing and cleaning up the house in any spare time we get ready to move out in a couple of weeks. Luckily we don't have much clutter so it's not been too bad but because I'm renting it out there are a few things need doing. Most of my stuff is MX related - loads of old riding kit, helmets, boots, trophies etc. We're only moving half-a-mile away but it's bigger with more space for everything. I plan to base myself there until I finish motocross - it's great for airports, the Chunnel is only an hour away and Jodie has to travel into a London a lot of the time so it's very handy for her as well. I've met some good people here and my friend Tim only lives around the corner.
Tim and I cycle together in the week - I've always been more of a runner but because of my ankle I have to do a lot more cycling now and it's much more enjoyable when I've got company. Mountain biking is another part of my training and, just like with MX, you have to be alert, think about where you're going and have confidence in yourself. It also gives your upper body more of a work-out.
Everything I'm doing and focusing on is to make sure I come back strong - if not stronger than before. I know it's easy to say sat here writing this and I know there are people out there who think I will struggle this year but that has never once entered my head. I never doubt myself and the people around me think the same. Of course, there's a lot of very hard work to be done but I've been there before so I know what it takes. There's no other way apart from hard work and self-belief - it's that simple!
Well, that's about it for another column. I look forward to writing next month with some exciting developments. Until then, take care and I'll see you at the races...