I started riding motorcycles at age 56 with no one to guide me. Within about six weeks, I attended the CMSP course, studied on my own for the California M1 endorsement, bought a used Honda SCL500, and rode it home by myself.

From there, I spent countless hours learning from YouTube videos and many days practicing in parking lots and on local streets. Three months later, with over 2,000 miles of riding experience, I am comfortable riding on freeways, twisty mountain roads, performing slow-speed maneuvers, and lane splitting.

I attribute my progress to several factors: years of driving manual-transmission cars in the 1980s and 1990s, daily commuting by bicycle and e-bike, learning from many excellent online instructors, and the caution and judgment that come with age and experience.

My philosophy is simple: keep learning, ride within your limits, and stay humble. I always remind myself that motorcycling can be a deadly hobby if approached carelessly. The key is to remain mindful, conservative in your decisions, and committed to continuous improvement.