‘I saw the HOSPITAL and thought GOOD, that's not FAR!' - MIKE 'SPIKE' EDWARDS

[@iainbroughton3186]

Dave, you HAVE to get Spike back, brilliant interview and an absolute legend

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thanks Iain, hopefully I won't repeat myself on part two 🤣

[@simonbreeze6925]

Thanks Dave, a part 2 is a must and great to reflect on the memories and variety of tales shared in another excellent pod 👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks so much, Simon! Spike and I were in touch on Friday and I’ll be heading back to beautiful Nidderdale early in the New Year 🫡

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Cheers Simon, I'm looking forward to it too already.

[@TheGazza636]

A true icon of British motorcycle racing and such a nice bloke too.

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

That's a very generous comment thanks, but I think I'm just a bloke who likes driving trucks and riding bikes.

[@philmayhem]

What a gent, didn't know much about Mike, so was fascinating to hear some of his stories, another future classic OffTrack episode, great rapport as always, and thoroughly entertaining.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Phil, thanks so much. We’d not met before the day so I was unsure what to expect as I always am in those situations. Spike was a bit wary about his recall of stories beforehand but was absolutely spot on. A real pleasure and time just disappeared on us!

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

It's Dave, he just knows all the right questions to ask, and very easy to have rapport with, combined with someone who's knowledgeable anyway, but that also has done all their research.

[@philmayhem]

@ really appreciate your response Mike, yer he really does put the work in and makes sure he’s done as much research as he can, hopefully you enjoyed doing it as much as we enjoyed watching it.

[@SimonWilcox-js7rn]

I could listen to him all day . my era and One of my hero's

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

That's a great comment thanks Simon, much appreciated.

[@Docs77-125Ripper]

Great Podcast, I like listening to the older Riders because it’s definitely a gone by era , Grids full of 2 strokes,, ahhh the smell and clouds of smoke 💨

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thanks, yes to be honest, I do think we probably had the best of what the sport has to offer - relatively affordable, and fun with your mates after work and less pressure.

[@markfoster2033]

Great podcast Dave,I remember watching Spike racing at Aintree back in the 80's,I never realised he rode the ROC 500 at Macau.I'm looking forward to the next episode👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Cheers, Mark! We'll be back with Spike early in the New Year I hope :-)

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Cheers Mark, I cut my teeth at Aintree, I'd never have thought when I let the clutch out on my X7 that I would have so many fantastic racing opportunities and still be racing 40+ years later.

[@aurimasbielskis890]

It didn't disappoint 👌 what a guy... Thank you off track for making this👌

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

So pleased you enjoyed it, and the pleasure is all ours :-)

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thank you for taking the time to listen, even if it did make you late for work!

[@raymondclark1458]

Really enjoyed this one Dave. I had the fortune of attending a race school hosted by Mike ‘Spike’ Edwards and Mark Forsyth at Three Sisters back in ‘92. I’ve been a follower and big fan of Spike ever since. Great stuff! By the way, I fit right into your demographics 😉. 52 years young…

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Almost the same age, I'm 52 in January :-) So glad you enjoyed it, Raymond

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

I think Lord M. F. and I should get together and do our own trackday thing again 😉 we just need a decent financial backer to hire the circuit.

[@ksco4390]

Enjoyed it brilliant

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@mmariorr9949]

Mike is the Legend… so passionate about racing and everything else that goes with motorsport 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 I can talk to him hours about motorcycle… one of best person I know in my life 💪💪💪💪💪

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Mario, thanks for the lovely comment, hopefully we'll catch up somewhere soon in '25.

[@neiltitley2468]

Cheers Dave, loved that one; what has Spike not done? Get the part 2 done sharpish please 👍🏻

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

What haven't I done? Hmmn, I'll have to think about that one for part two...

[@rodbuchanan2687]

Absolutely fantastic pod met spike at Cadwell park true gentleman. 👍

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Cadwell? It's a unique track, and I've had many ups and downs there over the years - even had a helicopter ride out to Lincoln hospital, but don't really remember much about it.

[@rodbuchanan2687]

Thanks for the reply Mike you’ve made my day yes its a very unforgiving track but very technical as you well know hopefully il bump into you again one weekend. 👍

[@Snoozzzzzze]

Track days. Yep, I used to do quite a few in the 90s and I stopped when I realised that every time I was the only person in the fast group who needed to ride the bike home. 😏

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Yeah sadly that’ll hold you back a bit!

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Yes, we still see riders on track days who've ridden to the circuit, one time at Brands, in a crazy samaritan moment, I took a bloke and his crashed bike home on a mad detour to Wimbledon, before we even set off to coming back North!!

[@neevesybikes]

Very enjoyable. That 2h40m went in a flash. What a racer. We were honoured to have Mike and Jennifer in our pitbox during the Spa 6 Hours a few years ago. He was giving me and my bro wet towels to put around our necks when we came in from our stints. Couldn’t have done it without him. Proper legend 😊👍

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Enjoyed working with you and Ben, it was my pleasure.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks so much, Michael. Glad Spike has seen the comment and thanks for taking the time to share the story 🙂🫡

[@jvtruth2019]

That was DYNAMITE. Loved the Macau stories. 😎😆

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

High praise indeed! Thank you so much 🫡

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thanks for the great comment. It's Dave's great questioning that 'lights the fuse'.

[@NodbodRS]

Fabulous that, what a truly wonderful and seriously fast rider is Spike. A great story teller, enjoyed watching his race career immensely. 👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks Nodbod, always appreciated and glad you enjoyed it 🫡

[@briandalgleish9768]

Brilliant watch and listen, what a great insight, another of the Simmo generation, humble honest respectful, will relisten when at work , excellent show

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks so much, Brian. That really means a lot 🙂

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

I must admit, I think we had the best of racing in the 90s, a tough bunch on track but with plenty of respect for each other.

[@955FKR]

Proper great bloke - Best guest yet 👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

High praise indeed given the number of guests we’ve had on - no argument from us, straight into the top three 🙌🏻

[@oldfella4096]

At last this is the one I have been waiting for this gentleman can ride anything fast ,stylish and skillfully, I first noticed Mike probably his first visit to Knockhill can't remember what year, if I remember correctly he was wearing a jester's hat in the pits and I though he was a Scouser??? what pleasure I have had over the years following his racing, I love going to random meetings and still see his name in the programme, I don't think Mike knows how universally he is liked love and admired....

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

So glad it didn’t disappoint 😁 thanks so much for the message 🙏🏼

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

I do now oldfelly4096...

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Yes, I've enjoyed plenty of success at Knockhill over the years, except this year when I crashed and set fire to the TZ rather publicly on telly!!! The best bit I remember about Knockhill in earlier days, was that a bottle of whisky was always presented on the podium instead of fizz.

[@PDCRed]

Enjoyed that as much as the Bosworth interview. Great stuff, and thank you 😊

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

The pleasure is all ours, PDC! Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Nigel? That's an honour to be compared to such a great stand out character as Boz.

[@ianparsons5054]

Didn't know a lot about Spike before now, what a font of knowledge, great show Dave.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks so much, Ian! Really glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thanks Ian, glad you enjoyed it, there's more to come in the second episode.

[@danceswithferrets]

Excellent interview, looking forward to part 2.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Much appreciated and thanks 🙏🏼

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

So am I. Best start reminding myself of stuff.

[@ernstqueller]

That was a fantastic interview, could listen to Mike all day. So much knowledge and experience, and such a soft spoken, nice guy!

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Soft spoken? That's how I lull all my competitors in to thinking I'm a push over - but then when the lights go out... #differentstory

[@Mick_windows]

And drives the gritter wagon round Yorkshire during winter

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Absolutely he does - we’ll come to that in the next episode because where he lives It’ll need to be gritted the next time we’re there 😂

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Mick, it looks like global warming has bu$$ered up the winter maintenance work - only had the plough on twice last year, and here we are in to November, and I've been out once!

[@Mick_windows]

@@MikeSpikeEdwards that's not going to put much in the biking fund. Better get the snow dance going....

[@warren9331]

A great episode. Plenty stories. He has definitely forgotten what most of us know. Looking forward to episode 2. As always well done Dave & Jen

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks a lot, Warren! Absolutely our pleasure and really pleased you enjoyed it :-)

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

To be honest, I find it tricky to remember some of the facts of years gone by, but with Dave's prompting, all the memories come flooding back.

[@gordonatkins9135]

Another brilliant interview Dave..thanks

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

You’re welcome, Gordon 🙂

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Cheers Gordon, much appreciated - anything specific you'd like to hear about on part 2?

[@andywalker9495]

Half way through but have to go, will watch the rest later. Only knew a little bit about Mike before but seems a top bloke . From an age before all the phone cameras and social media when the racers actually had proper fun.....they deserved to have the fun coz of what they did for our entertainment 👍👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Agreed completely, Andy! The pre-camera stories are by far the best 😁 Mike is just class, done a lot in and for the sport over the years and still many more stories to tell 🙂

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Yes Andy, I do honestly think we had the best of bike racing when it was fun, something you did with your mates on affordable bikes and got prize money!

[@PeterBurton-s2o]

Absolutely brilliant and so entertaining & informative. Well done to both of you 👍 Roll on the next podcast with ‘Spike’

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks so much, Peter, kind of you to take the time to say 🙂 Part 2 will be coming as soon as we can schedule a date in the New Year 👌🏻

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thanks Peter, glad there was something interesting to keep you listening, any topics you'd like us to specifically cover in part 2?

[@ChrisRufus76]

Great pod again Dave, kept be entertained while I painted my new house in until late in to the night.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks a lot, Chris - glad to keep you company. I hope you’re very happy in the new place 🙂

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

There is a saying, that something can be as tedious as 'watching paint dry' I hope that wasn't the case and we were lively enough to keep you painting...

[@ChrisRufus76]

@@MikeSpikeEdwards made two and a half hours fly by, but I had nothing to listen to for the next few nights of painting. So you two better get another pod sorted. Maybe a live one while you are teaching Dave on track how to ride a bike properly. Actually hearing how a rider coach approaches a lesson would be a really good pod. Boom 🤯 ideas

[@crumblymal8479]

"Yes" good one have to hear more from Spike hope it's not to long before he's back on the pod very much enjoyed cheers guy's well done 👌👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Cheers CM, always appreciated and so glad you enjoyed it 🫡

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Cheers, it's good to hear you enjoyed it, I'm never sure whether people are interested in anything I have to say.

[@bingwalker5024]

Thanks for that thoroughly entertaining vlog , very underrated rider for most people not in the know , can’t wait for the next one ✊✊

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Our pleasure, Bing 🙏🏼

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thanks, I just really like riding and racing bikes, and if I can have fun along the way, that's even better.

[@tonydiridoni5829]

He fack that he rides singles competitively, I did formula singles for 10 yrs on the West Coast, and with his pedigree makes him an underrated legend in my book. Love all his vids, weather singles or the vintage tz's the I used to annoy the shit out of. Fondest regards, love the pod. Signed; Grumpy old punkrocker. Tucson USA. Cheers !

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thank you so much, Tony, your message is really appreciated. Keep on keeping on :-)

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Hey Grumpy, thanks for the great comments - I'll keep making content if you keep watching it! I'll be in touch next time I'm 'across the pond', we could meet up for a coffee/beer (delete as appropriate).

[@toucheturtle3840]

I was shocked when Mike replied to me many years ago. He knew the feeling. I wasn’t a track rider but he knew what I meant.

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Please don't be shocked, I'm always happy to help if can when people take the trouble to get in touch.

[@toucheturtle3840]

@ I realised that. You’re a decent bloke👍🏻

[@ianphillips973]

Barry Sheene once famously said that motorcycle racing is the only sport where the clowns pay the audience to entertain them. True words👍🏻

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Yes, I usually say it's as daft as strippers paying the audience to watch. 🤪

[@Mick-np7bu]

Proper living legend and his wife is a proper lady legend 💯awesome job Dave and your better half 💯👏

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

We’re doing our best and so glad it’s appreciated 🙂 thanks so much, Mick 🫡

[@Mick-np7bu]

@ it’s for all to see you n your better half give 💯your best that’s the part money can’t buy 👌✊

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

The most bizarre thing, both our 'better halves' are called Jennifer...

[@AdrianDoggett]

Another great one Dave top man spike 👍

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Cheers, Adrian! Top top bloke, and glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏼

[@marksimpson4258]

Good show again ❤

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thank you, Mark 🫡

[@MichaelThwaites-p7g]

Great discussion, love all the name dropping , shame we never hear about Dave potter , I was at Oulton at the time 🥹 but they were the years that you quite rightly pointed out with the demographic were to a lot of people the best , jps and transatlantic series 👏

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

Thanks so much, Michael, much appreciated. One thing I like to believe is that I know my audience and I know what they enjoy most. I hope this show with Spike gets the recognition it deserves from as many people as possible because he’s an absolute gem of a man 😊

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

I was at Oulton when Dave was killed, I didn't know him but my Dad who ran the Michelin race service back then did and was quite upset, sad loss and a great underrated rider. Strangely too I was there when Peter Williams had his big accident on the JPS Norton which damaged his arm - the ironic thig I ended up with his leathers still with the damage on the arm.!!!

[@davidharley1366]

Also fast on a yamaha TZR250

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

Thanks, I try my best 👍

[@tonycampbell9506]

One word.brilliant 👍🤣

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

A few words in return… thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

I must admit Tony, that was never a word I saw on my school reports 🤭 it was always 'must try harder'.

[@williamlorimer060867]

Yes 👍

[@englishelectric]

How is it, iknow nothing about him, when I know all about his contempories...? He must have somehow operated below the radar.

[@OffTrack_Podcast]

He’s one of those rare riders that does it for the love of riding bikes. Some riders enjoy the riding and the limelight others not so much. Thanks for watching and hopefully you know Spike better now 😁

[@MikeSpikeEdwards]

To be honest, I've never been someone to push myself to the front, or be the one 'shouting loudest' - I've just not been comfortable doing that, I just like riding motorbikes. 👍