Wow - Vtwin goody....that's what I call ''not holding back''
And quite right too! - We're all entitled to our opinions, no matter how harsh they seem to some.
I agree with some things you say. The fact that he now has a publisher, manager and a promoter (they dictate to him what he can, and cannot do). This has been seen from Guy over the past couple of years as everytone tries to get a bit of him to promote stuff, attend shows, have a photo session, review things, write articles, do TV programmes, write books, test bikes, fly abroad for interviews etc.
He has not got the time anymore to speak to ''the man on the street'' or have time to sign stuff. He's way too big for that now. Yes, he still does the rare show or signing, but it's his manager that calls the shots.
But, I do remember Guy saying he can't be arsed with all the young guys wearing his replica helmets, turning up for a signed photograph looking like they just came off a race track with their badged leathers and race replica bikes. That put me off him a bit. Hell, it's the guys buying the helmets, the beanies, the books, and watching the TV shows that helped get him where he is today. Through love and support - and he now has little time for it.
Then, when he appeared in Alford for our local motorcycle convention as a guest in 2011, he really seemed to be ''up his own Harris'' and acted strange. He was heard on record saying he really didn't want to be there, but he signed a few photos, talked to a lot of folk (including me for 10 mins) and then he was off.
Then, a couple of years ago, he was asked back to Alford again. He said YES.
SUPERB.
He was all booked, the posters made up and word out he was heading back to the tiny Aberdeenshire town for another bike convention.
Then, at the last minutes, his
promoters cancelled it, stating he was ''booked elsewhere'' and had been before the Alford booking.
This kinda put me off him even more! But, it wasn't
his fault, but that of his bloody managers again, booking him for everthing, saying yes to
every event, knowing they can't get him everywhere. -Their plan is they want him fully booked, but then pick the best events that pay the most.
The plus side was that he personally offered the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford his bikes for display.
See this link: Grampian Transport Museum: Guy Martin Collection to go on show in 2016
I wouldn't wish harm on him, and am saddened to hear he has chosen to ride again. But, road racing is a drug I suppose, and despite the books, TV, and happy care-free life he has, he'd be sitting itching to get back on a race bike again - not thinking about the fact his body (and mind) may be past it.
I just hope to Christ he wises up, listens to his family, his girlfriend, his mates, and takes stock of what he has, and what he's gonna leave behind if he kills himself.
He IS a bit of a knob now, but that's TV and fame that has changed him. Deep down, I think he regrets it all ever happening, and that he'd just like to be left alone, back to square one. But, it's all got out of control, and Guy is not the same guy he was before. Even his best mate Cammy will say so.
The money means nothing to him, but the way he thinks (with his diagnosis of Austism) is strange to us. His brain (as in all Autistic peoples) is wired weird, and they are obsessive to the point sometimes of being self destructive. Unfortunately, Guy found a ''hobby'' that has fed his obsessional part of his brain, and that he needs to keep feeding it to ''be on top of it''. And that (now) will (maybe) lead to him taking it a step too far.
But, he cannot see it.
He thinks it's normal, for that's all he knows.
It's sad in a way, that his Autistic brain is controlling him, and it's cancelling out the ''normal common sense'' part.
Ok, I'd better end this here. A few beers and a bottle o' plonk later, and I'm on ramble fest again! And I've gotta be up early to go ride 80 miles for a new welding helmet tomorrow.
Sheesh!
Take 'er easy goody!
GBM
