I was 13 years old when I first saw Barry Sheene race motorcycles. It was at Brands Hatch in 1979. At that time, at just 20 years old, Barry was an extremely talented and likeable guy who made quite an impression on me. I watched him race dozens of times and he soon became my hero.
That year, he won the British 125cc championship, which signalled the start of a very impressive racing career.
I would travel all round the UK to racing circuits such as Brands, Mallory Park, Cadwell, and Oulton Park to watch the racing. I couldn’t afford the tickets for the World Championship rounds in the UK, so I concentrated on the British Championships and the Transatlantic Trophy series, which pitched the best British riders against the best of the American team.
I remember riders such as Mick Grant, Peter Williams, Steve Parrish and others, but it was Barry Sheene who always stood out for me. The rivalry and races between the two nations teams was legendary and I got to see Americans such as Kenny Roberts and Randy Mamola battle it out in some fantastically exciting races.
Sometimes, I would be lucky enough to walk around the pits and talk to the riders. Barry was always cheerful and smiling and I liked him a lot. Despite his growing fame, he would always try to take time to share a moment or two with his fans.
Famously, Barry had a spectacular crash in 1975 in practice at Daytona. At 175 mph, his rear wheel locked and he broke his left thigh, right arm, collarbone and two ribs. His hero status was elevated even more in my mind when he was racing again just seven weeks later.
Barry went on to win the 500cc World Championship in 1976 and 1977. He certainly lived life to the full and gained (earned) a playboy reputation. A true sporting legend, he mainly raced Suzuki’s and Yamaha’s. It was no co-incidence that I soon owned a bike by each of these manufacturers.
This short video gives a glimpse of the man.
Barry died of cancer ten years ago today at the age of just 52. That was way too young for someone who gave so much, was so talented and so loved by many.
Barry was a living legend among the motorcycle community. Not only was he a supremely talented racer but also the loveable larrican and all round good bloke.
I remember when he died my brother carried around a black number 7 sticker on his R1 until he sold it.
Barry did a lot of commentating on Australian TV when he moved here due to his illness. He headed up the motogp and local touring car coverage. Very knowledgable and also very witty.
Here is a classic Barry Sheene comment during the 2001 V8 Super Cars round. Only Barry was clever enough to come up with a comment like this. http://youtu.be/DGNB3Vy6YoI
Chiller – You are right, he was a living legend. That is very cool that you brother did that. I didn’t know about his commentating, but I should imagine it was very enjoyable to listen to. Thanks for the clip.
Nikos – So true. He was taken way too young.
KT – You are so right about cancer. As we get older, the more it affects the people around us. One day, I hope there is a cure for this demon disease.
VStar Lady – I like that. “Give life hell while you have the chance!”. So apt.
This blog was originally started to record a five month, 21000 mile tour of the US on my Harley-Davidson. I continue to use this blog to record my own motorcycling adventures, wherever they may be, along with my thoughts and opinions about motorcycling generally.
Having devoted most of my adult life to being a ‘company man’, the transition to the next phase of my life away from the construction industry was always going to include some challenges. Planning and then making my dream trip to explore America on my Harley-Davidson proved to be the ideal vehicle for clearing my mind of old ways of thinking and being. I rode 21,475 miles, in 27 US states in four-and-a-half months.
My motorcycling trips have continued, with journeys across much of Europe, New Zealand, North Africa and Cuba.
A few years ago, I set up and now run Tour1, which takes riders on Harley-Davidson Authorised tours across Europe. See www.tour1.co.uk.
I live just north of London in the UK.
A 2006 Road King called 'The Leading Ladies' due to the portraits of ten 1940's and 1950's actresses painted on the bike. This is the motorcycle I use to ride through America on.
My Custom Harley 'Tradewinds'
Called 'Tradewinds' this bike has a H-D engine but almost everything else is custom, made specifically for the bike.
My Custom Harley 'Amelia'
Built in 2012, this is a seventies style traditional chopper, with considerable engraving and a tremendous paint scheme
Please note all photographs on this blog are copyrighted. Do not copy or use, in whole or in part, any image from this blog either in its original form or altered in any way. If you do want to use one of the photographs, then you must ask first and I will almost certainly say yes! Thanks for your understanding.
US Tour - My Favourites Places I Went To....
It is difficult to choose, but here is my list of the highlights of my US tour, in the order I saw them in....
31. Back roads and small towns anywhere.
32. Meeting really nice people, in just about all of the places I have been.
33. The camaraderie of bikers. Everywhere, US.
8 comments:
Barry was a living legend among the motorcycle community. Not only was he a supremely talented racer but also the loveable larrican and all round good bloke.
I remember when he died my brother carried around a black number 7 sticker on his R1 until he sold it.
Barry did a lot of commentating on Australian TV when he moved here due to his illness. He headed up the motogp and local touring car coverage. Very knowledgable and also very witty.
Here is a classic Barry Sheene comment during the 2001 V8 Super Cars round. Only Barry was clever enough to come up with a comment like this.
http://youtu.be/DGNB3Vy6YoI
Long Live Barry Sheene.
He was a remarkable guy and did not deserve to die so young.
The good is that he is a legend and gave his all for the all. The bad is cancer... it sucks.
It is always nice to remember our heros. I appreciate his style - give life hell while you have the chance!
Rest in peace Barry!
Chiller – You are right, he was a living legend. That is very cool that you brother did that. I didn’t know about his commentating, but I should imagine it was very enjoyable to listen to. Thanks for the clip.
Nikos – So true. He was taken way too young.
KT – You are so right about cancer. As we get older, the more it affects the people around us. One day, I hope there is a cure for this demon disease.
VStar Lady – I like that. “Give life hell while you have the chance!”. So apt.
Rex – Indeed.
Dear Gary:
There for the grace of God go all of us.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
Jack – Abso-friggin-lutely. It should be incumbent on us all to do as much as we can, as soon as we can, because you never know when it is your turn.
Post a Comment