I've been riding motorcycles for as long as I can remember.
In fact, I started riding at the age of three, on a Corgi motorcycle around the fields at home in 1953. More than 70 years later, at the age of 76, I'm still riding and still enjoying every minute of it.
There have been countless adventures over the years and enough stories to fill a book. Remarkably, I've never had a crash, although I have slid off a couple of times while competing in vintage trials events, where I was fortunate enough to win a few competitions.
Motorcycles have always been part of my life, both for work and for pleasure. Before becoming a driving instructor, I worked as a medical secretary and my motorcycle was my daily transport to and from work. Today, I still work as a driving instructor, helping to put biker-aware drivers on the road.
One of the most special motorcycles I own has a family story attached to it.
In 1972, my husband and I were on honeymoon on the IoM for the TT. My father, who never missed a TT was also on the Island. He was careful not to interfere with our honeymoon, but as it happened we met up most days.
Anyway, my father had planned to use one of his existing bikes to get around the island, but they were off the road at the time, wedding preparations had left him with no time to prepare them, so he simply bought another motorcycle instead!
So I found myself on my honeymoon, on a non race day, riding a beautiful new Norton Interstate. The Norton never left the family and spent many years in the care of my younger brother before recently returning to me.
A wonderful memory and special memento of our marriage.
I am enclosing the original invoice that we have retained all these years as a point of interest. I wish bikes were still at 1972 prices!
Over the years, I've toured extensively throughout Europe by motorcycle, spending more than 20 years exploring different countries, cultures and roads. Those experiences taught me a great deal about travelling abroad on two wheels and gave me memories that will stay with me forever.
Motorcycling has also introduced me to some remarkable people.
For several years I worked as a lap scorer at Oulton Park race circuit, where I regularly met some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing. Riders such as Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood, Barry Sheene and Phil Read would often come to me during practice sessions to confirm how many laps they had completed in order to qualify for races.
It's not every day you get to help legends of the sport.
My current motorcycle is a Honda Rebel. Two years ago, I made the decision to downsize from a Honda CBR600 after discovering that I'd lost around four inches in height over the years and was beginning to struggle to get both feet comfortably on the ground. The Rebel suits me perfectly and proves that choosing the right bike is far more important than choosing the biggest one.
People sometimes ask if I'll ever stop riding.
My answer is always the same:
"I have no intention of stopping until I can't get my leg over."
Motorcycling has been a constant companion throughout my life. It has given me freedom, friendships, adventures and memories spanning more than seven decades.
I can't imagine life without it.