Festive Fun!
Published: 06th December 2007
Author: Stephen Sword
It’s almost Christmas time in the Swordy household and that means Cliff Richard CDs, mistletoe and mulled wine for Stephen and Jodie
This month has been jam packed with lots of stuff. We had a week’s holiday in Dubai which was fantastic. Well deserved I would say after the last couple of years with all the injuries and that. The week’s break was very relaxing and I took advantage of that as much as I could as when I got back it was straight into training.
We’re a good five weeks into the training programme. I’m happy so far with everything and every day is about working towards next season. My leg and ankle are strong now both on and off the bike. I’ve been riding the bikes most weeks – only play riding really – getting my confidence and feeling back. I feel as though I’m where I want to be with everything at this time of the year, it’s important to put in a lot of hard work now but also make sure you don’t burn yourself out before the season starts.
We haven’t tested the ’08 bikes yet – that will start in the first week of January. I wasn’t able to go with the team to Japan in October but they tell me that the new kit is very good. I have a new mechanic for next year – Ryan Thorpe will be working the spanners for me. We have already been out riding together and all is gelling well.
Kawasaki asked me to go up to the NEC Bike Show on press day. I missed the show last year so it was cool to do some interviews and signings on the Kwacker stand. I’m looking forward to the Dirt Bike Show at Stoneleigh as it mostly revolves around motocross which I like. I’ll be there on Saturday and Sunday – let’s hope Hot Tub has his ice skates ready for Saturday night.
I’ve done a few presentations already, it’s been great seeing all the young kids giving 100 per cent – hopefully a few MX champions in the making. They have all been nice clubs and made it really enjoyable to be there so thanks!
Some of you may have heard me on Eurosport the other week commentating on the Bercy supercross with Roger Warren. Rog rang me at the last minute and as it was only just down the road I thought it would be cool. It was all going well until Roger asked me about the dancing girls. I didn’t know what to do knowing Jodie was sat at home listening. I had the option of agreeing with him and sleeping in the car when I got home or saying nothing and having a nice warm bed to sleep in – I chose the second option. I really enjoyed it even though I was rubbish. I’m definitely not going to be the next Murray Walker.
Last weekend Jodie had me doing chores around the house. She’s been asking me for weeks to put up this toilet holder and I eventually got round to doing it along with some light fittings and blinds.
With Christmas just around the corner we’ve done some shopping – mostly for Christmas decorations. Jodie wants to go big on the décor this year and we’re having two trees fully loaded with all the trimmings as well as lights out the front. It’ll look like the house out of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and my electricity bill will be triple what it normally is.
We are off up to Scotland for Christmas Day which will be good. I get a week-and-a-half off from training so I’m looking forward to some mulled wine and mince pies – not too many though. The next day we’ll have Jodie’s family round at our place. I’m not sure what’s happening for New Year yet. We may go up to Edinburgh – it’s awesome there on New Year’s Eve.
Well guys have a great Christmas and all the best for the New Year. If you’re at Stoneleigh I’ll see ya there!