124;
Your opinion is always welcome,and respected.
The fitness level I agree completely has improved,and not because of any inate superiority in judgement or any other superiority but simply because of advances in the field and the knowledge of the benefits.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with a family computer geek. We were watching something about Apollo and he said nearly dispargingly that the vehicle only had the computer power of an average home p.c. nowadays. I told him my opinion was that was what made the guys who could fly those missions, in space and on the ground so impressive, that they had to and could use slide rules rather than just pushing a button.
There were riders in the 70's and 80's that were incredibly fit and complete nuts about fitness, like Brad Lackey and Johnny O'Mara among others, O'Mara being a trainer right now for some big -name rider.
For the most part though from top to bottom the fitness level now vs. then is a decided advamtage to todays riders.
I have an old video I should send you on the 1973 GP season a British buddy sent me.They are interviewing Joel Robert as he smokes a cigarette(!) between motos at the French GP,which he won both 250 motos. Imagine the gnashing of teeth and rending of garments if he did that today, gasp !
If I could be as fast as any of my old heros when they're 60 or whatever I'd be a very happy man.
You should have seen Jim Pomeroy go the last Vintage Days at Mid-Ohio he would attend, he was like 59 or something and was just flat hauling.The great ones always have that smoothness, don't they ?
If anybody from the midwest hasn't been to a Mid-Ohio Vintage Days you're missing out on something very special. Doug