I've just finished reading a book by Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond called 'As You Do'. It's a terrific read with lots of anecdotes about the Top Gear stunts, It also has the details of what happened when Hammond went to do what was probably the last interview with Evel Knievel before he died.
Knievel had a piece of stonework done, at his own expense, that he wanted placed in the town of Butte, Montana. He was prepared to have it placed in the town at his own expense. On the stone it said "Words to live for. Faith. Health. Education. Love. Work. Honorability. Dream. Amen". No other words would be added - no reference to Evel himself. Hammond asked Evel what the most important word was that was there. Evel said "Dreams, follow your dreams".
And I guess that's what all this is about... living your dreams.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Beginnings
I suppose rolling round began a long while ago. It had a pause in the middle started up again.
So, in the beginning I really wanted to drive a car. When I was in my teens everybody else was doing it and so I wanted to as well. My father didn't share the idea that he should be the one to teach me how to drive. I thought up a good trick, tell him that if I didn't I'd buy a motorcycle and ride that. I didn't need anyone to ride with me while I learned, so that seemed to be the ideal threat. He had to do it.
But he fall for the con I was trying to do. He said "OK, buy a bike, but they're too dangerous". I didn't want one, but I had no choice. So way back in 1973, I had to go out on Christmas Eve and buy my first bike. It cost $270 and wasn't the prettiest kid on the block. All I had to do was to learn to ride it. I'd never touched one before.
It was delivered to my house on the back of a truck that same day. It was the only way I had to get it home. Within an hour, I while he though nobody was around, I saw my father begin to clean this old bike. I'll never forget that scene.
So, in the beginning I really wanted to drive a car. When I was in my teens everybody else was doing it and so I wanted to as well. My father didn't share the idea that he should be the one to teach me how to drive. I thought up a good trick, tell him that if I didn't I'd buy a motorcycle and ride that. I didn't need anyone to ride with me while I learned, so that seemed to be the ideal threat. He had to do it.
But he fall for the con I was trying to do. He said "OK, buy a bike, but they're too dangerous". I didn't want one, but I had no choice. So way back in 1973, I had to go out on Christmas Eve and buy my first bike. It cost $270 and wasn't the prettiest kid on the block. All I had to do was to learn to ride it. I'd never touched one before.
It was delivered to my house on the back of a truck that same day. It was the only way I had to get it home. Within an hour, I while he though nobody was around, I saw my father begin to clean this old bike. I'll never forget that scene.
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