Over the years, I?ve been admitted to hospital more times than I can remember, and every single time it?s been after an incident involving a motorbike. I soon learnt that injuries are the true cost of bike racing. Bones-wise, I?m running out of things to break; I?ve done both feet, both legs, my hip, my pelvis, my spine in a few different places, two hands, one arm and a wrist. Consequently, half of my joints are now riddled with metal and/or osteoarthritis, and I?m only 30 years old.

And that?s just the ?mechanical? stuff. After years of abuse, I?ve been left with irreparable nerve damage that?s left me with vast swathes of skin without any sensation whatsoever, and constant pins and needles in my little fingers and big toes. I?ve also got nerve damage to thank for some serious issues in the water closet (both ends) which, for the last ten years, has been the biggest pain in the arse out of the lot (if you?ll pardon the pun).
In the process of smashing my body time and time again, I?ve written off more bikes than I care to remember. Even if I could remember all the bikes that I have smashed up over the years, I don?t think I?d dare add up the value of all the crash damage I?ve caused. It?d be a very big number, which is one of the reasons I?ll never be a rich man. It?s also the reason my poor old dad will never be a rich man either; sorry George.

When I was a kid, my racing was paid for exclusively by George. I think he enjoyed taking me racing almost as much ...