Going to less Motorcycle Meetings Post Covid

[Rob 131 Sport]

I was just thinking back to the race meetings that I went to last year and this year including with what I’ve got planned. Effectively this year and last year I will of attended the 2 annual BSB meetings at Oulton Park together with a few days at the TT (6 Days in 2022) and (4 Days in 2023). I compare this with a typical year pre Covid year and the meetings I would have attended.

Spring Race at Scarborough
May Bank Holiday BSB at Oulton Park
IOM TT for at least a week
WSBK at Donington Park
BSB at either Brands Hatch or Thruxton
MOTO GP at Silverstone
September BSB at Oulton Park

Is it just me, but I just don’t seem to have the enthusiasm to go to the same meetings that I went to pre Covid. It would be interesting to hear if other peoples racing attendance calendar has changed in the past 2 years.

[Bob_Defly]

I'm fine with any outdoor stuff, I just don't like inside spaces which are very busy with people. Not really a covid thing I think, more just bothered by people's inability to be polite in public nowadays, streaming sh!t on their phones, having video calls, making tiktoks etc. Winds me up as I'm getting old.

Don't get me started on parents just giving their kids iPads in restaurants, without headphones...

[Rob 131 Sport]

Bob_Defly said:

I'm fine with any outdoor stuff, I just don't like inside spaces which are very busy with people. Not really a covid thing I think, more just bothered by people's inability to be polite in public nowadays, streaming sh!t on their phones, having video calls, making tiktoks etc. Winds me up as I'm getting old.

Don't get me started on parents just giving their kids iPads in restaurants, without headphones...

It’s not the public or personal space issue, I just think it’s having the motivation to go. Apart from the TT, the racing doesn’t seem to be as exciting as it was a few years ago.

[Alex@POD]

The motivation is there for me, I spent 11 days over for the TT, just been to ABR Fest, and would like to attend at least BSB at Outlon and Cadwell, 2 events at Scarborough, some club racing at Croft, and maybe a couple of smaller Adventure Bike meets happening next month.

My main issue is that most dates clash with something else I want to do, and that none of that is cheap so I must pick and choose carefully!

[chris4652009]

My issue is dates of events/meetings clashing.

Many people are still suffering mental illness post covid. Look at the amount of people who still wear a mask while driving in the car alone.

Have you sought any psychological help at all?

[HybridTheory]

I think people's habits have changed after COVID especially if you are retired I find those folks stay home a lot more then before

[chris4652009]

HybridTheory said:

I think people's habits have changed after COVID especially if you are retired I find those folks stay home a lot more then before

Are you kidding? Go to any beach town during the week the place is crawling with retired folk. Maybe they just stay home at weekends.

[BananaFama]

It's also an age thing , in the 80s I went to Brands Hatch possibly a dozen times a year ,so many good car race meets ,yes I know this is bike forum but same applies , now I don't remember when I last went , maybe 2019 ,maybe earlier than that .
I just can't be bothered to even look up the calendar to see what's on .

Covid has also deffo changed things for many people too .

[Hoofy]

Maybe you're losing interest. You're allowed to have changing interests but check your county council's local bylaws.

Bob_Defly said:

Don't get me started on parents just giving their kids iPads in restaurants, without headphones...

Yep, that said, I'd rather listen to whatever ste we're being forced to listen to than their kid kicking off and screaming for an hour.

[Daniel T]

Also costs must be a factor- since Covid ( some justified) but costs just go up and up and up and then once you are there you probably have to spend more and more and more which takes away from the fun.


E.g. been to goodwood in the past but with todays ticket prices- forget it!

[Rob 131 Sport]

The TT in my opinion is an annual event that simply can’t be missed, due to the racing and the whole island experience.

BSB is a good spectacle and I live close to Oulton Park, so that’s always going to be on the agenda.

I suppose what has dropped off for me is the events that are further afield such as Scarborough, MOTO GP, WSBK and another BSB (usually Brands or Thruxton).

Does anyone know the attendance figures on last year for MOTO GP and WSBK in comparison with previous years.

[airsafari87]

Covid doesn’t play a factor in things for me, but this yeah I have been to less bike races than I usually would have been to, Infact apart from the CRMC at Cadwell Park a few weeks ago and Knockhill BSB I haven’t been to any other racing this year other than Moped Mayhem at Teesside.

I think Scarborough is on this weekend though isn’t it? So I’ll probably have a ride over there on Sunday.

Then I’ll definitely be at Cadwell for the BSB.

Assuming we get the bike ready in time, I’ll also be racing myself at the 24 hour freetech endurance at Teesside too.

One thing which really puts me off going places though is the clouds of Strawberry flavoured Unicorn Rainbow farts that you’re subjected to from the vapeists, at Knockhill the other weekend I moved a few times to get away from it, and in the end I buggered off home after the Superstock race and watched the rest of the racing on TV when I got back.

[Rob 131 Sport]

airsafari87 said:

Covid doesn’t play a factor in things for me, but this yeah I have been to less bike races than I usually would have been to, Infact apart from the CRMC at Cadwell Park a few weeks ago and Knockhill BSB I haven’t been to any other racing this year other than Moped Mayhem at Teesside.

I think Scarborough is on this weekend though isn’t it? So I’ll probably have a ride over there on Sunday.

Then I’ll definitely be at Cadwell for the BSB.

Assuming we get the bike ready in time, I’ll also be racing myself at the 24 hour freetech endurance at Teesside too.

One thing which really puts me off going places though is the clouds of Strawberry flavoured Unicorn Rainbow farts that you’re subjected to from the vapeists, at Knockhill the other weekend I moved a few times to get away from it, and in the end I buggered off home after the Superstock race and watched the rest of the racing on TV when I got back.

I agree regarding the vaping, it’s absolutely nauseating. Thankfully at the TT there wasn’t much of it, although at Oulton Park for the Bank Holiday BSB it was full of it together with the drug smokers out at Knickerbrook. I wonder if something needs to be done about vaping in public areas at sporting events.

The thing that is preventing me going has nothing to do with COVID, it has just lost its appeal slightly where I won’t travel big distances to watch racing.

Edited by Rob 131 Sport on Tuesday 27th June 23:03

[Bob_Defly]

Rob 131 Sport said:

It’s not the public or personal space issue, I just think it’s having the motivation to go.

I have the motivation, just less money. I'm guessing the cost of living crisis and inflation is definitely having an effect.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Bob_Defly said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

It’s not the public or personal space issue, I just think it’s having the motivation to go.

I have the motivation, just less money. I'm guessing the cost of living crisis and inflation is definitely having an effect.

IMO the circuit organisers have done a great job in keeping prices really competitive for spectators. It’s certainly good value for money.