Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1501730
VOLUME ISSUE JUNE , P137 houses and haybarns—over a grand combined total of more than 44,000 miles. And that's only race miles, and only solo riders, not count - ing practice days or the side- cars. There were eight solo races, whose 32 laps made a com- bined length of 1208 miles. By comparison, eight MotoGP races add up to plus-or-minus 600 miles, and around 12,000 rider-miles. Odious compari - sons, perhaps, but interesting all the same. It was a wonderful year of fine weather and broken records. Michael Dunlop, sole surviving racing member of road racing's royal family, took his 25th TT win, approaching his late uncle Joey's record tally of 26. And big-bike master Peter Hickman racked his own growing total up to 13 wins, and set a new average-speed record lap, on an almost standard BMW M 1000 RR. Hickman's speed, around the 37-and-three-quarter miles that include one near-stop hairpin, more than one hump-back bridg - es and a number of giddying jumps was a barely imaginable 136.358 mph. The word "awesome" has been much devalued, when it might be used to describe (for example) a tasty salad dressing. Anyone seeking its true mean - ing need look no further than this classic race, held in the early summer almost every year (wars, pandemics and on one occasion, strikes, permitting) since 1907, in the process sur - viving the loss of world-cham- pionship status in the 1970s, when its obvious dangers ruled it inadmissible. It is an extraordinary festival of risk and bravery, where fear and admiration combine to cre- ate a genuine sense of awe. It's impossible not to have mixed feelings about the TT, for it really is absurdly dangerous. Disturbingly so. It is equally impossible not to be overcome with respect for those who take part in it—and not just those superhuman entities like Hick - man, Dunlop, Dean Harrison and the rest. The same degree of respect is due to every starter. For all of them know what they are facing. Even if they haven't read the usual chorus of "Why Do They Do It?" articles in the national press. Well, why do they do it? And who's asking, anyway? The TT has been described, quite effectively, as a "horizontal Everest," where the price for an error of judgement or even just being on the wrong side of cir - cumstances frequently has fatal consequences. But it's not that accurate a comparison… not least because the death toll of the world's tallest mountain is very much higher. This year alone, when some 800 people are predicted to attempt Everest, there have already been 13 deaths. The very worst year of the TT has come nowhere close, with a (still sickening) total of six deaths, first in 1970 and sadly repeated last year, the numbers swelled by two tragedy-stricken sidecar crews. Body counts are distaste - ful, of course, if inevitable. But they must be measured against achievement and free will. The right to take on the challenge, and to face odds that in the final analysis are actually more in your favor than not. Personal freedom is increas - ingly curtailed, politically cor- rect life-choices are ever more limited. It's important that this paragon of personal choice should exist, and to flourish. A chance for people to do what they love, even if they might die doing it. Whether other people approve or not. CN It is an extraordinary festival of risk and bravery, where fear and admiration combine to create a genuine sense of awe.