Oops, I didn’t do it again

Yep, you know the story, but it’s pretty much the same. It’s been Chaos Central in the Hall household the last week. Helena is continuing to receive treatment for her Graves Disease and it’s starting to improve but it looks like it’s going to be a slow process. To add to the confusion I’ve been feeling pretty seedy for the last week or so but managing to keep going (even riding down to Nowra to commentate the speedway meeting on Saturday night). Sunday morning I awoke early with my chest hurting a lot and I decided it was time to get it looked at. Ambulance, A&E, ECG’s, blood tests, etc all determined that I hadn’t had a heart attack but did not indicate what was really wrong. I felt a bit better and almost pain-free on Monday so was hopeful that whatever it was had gone away but it was back with a vengeance on Tuesday morning and a trip to the doctor was in order.

Bottom line, it seems that the new, slow-release pain-killers that the doc has prescribed to deal with the pain in my leg has triggered off something in my stomach. So, ditch the pain-killers, back to a sore leg and an ultrasound on my stomach tomorrow morning to see why it is objecting to the medicine. Seriously, sometimes life just isn’t meant to be easy.

However, exciting things ARE happening in the world of motorcycle racing and that always lifts the spirits. Each day that goes by gets me closer to the Island Classic at the end of January and it is promising to be the best one ever. Australia is mounting what has to be the strongest challenge in recent years with a team led by three-time WSBK champion, Troy Corser. In answer to the challenge, the Americans have named a squad that includes a who’s-who American road racing. Led by ex-MotoGp and WSBK star, Colin Edwards, the team also includes AMA regulars, Jason Pridmore, Jake Zemke and returning star, Barrett Long on one of Dave Crussell’s TZ750’s. Bring it on.

And, on the subject of returning stars, news out this week that two former stars of Australian Superbike racing are making a comeback as well. Troy Bayliss, star of stage, screen and WSBK, will be back to try and win the Aussie title that eluded him in the early days of his career and he will be on a Ducati, of course. No sooner had that news settled than it was announced the multiple ASBK title winner, Glenn Allerton, sacked by Yamaha at the end of this season, will contest the 2018 back on a BMW on which he has already won titles. Team blue may yet wish that they’d retained his services. And, following on THAT, news yesterday (well, speculation, really, but I’d reckon it’s a done deal) that former ASBK title holder, Marty Craggill, is returning to the fray on a Suzuki. Marty should be pretty match fit as his 3 wins and a 2nd from 4 races at last year’s Island Classic showed that he’s lost none of his edge in retirement. It’s going to be a good 2018, that’s for sure.

With sickness etc taking its toll there’s been no riding for me (apart from the run to the speedway and back on Saturday night) and, sadly I was forced to miss the fundraising ride to Grey Gums on Sunday, being flat on my back in hospital at the time. The good news is that over 1000 riders and pillion passengers took part as well as numerous people who chose to attend by car and the fundraising effort looks to have raised a considerable amount to help Kim and John through this difficult time. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, nobody looks after their mates like motorcyclists do.

Well, that will do for today; again, please forgive my slackness, I will be back on top soon, I hope.