My first experience on two wheels came in the early 1980s on a Suzuki FZ50. Things were very different back then. There were no CBTs or training courses. You simply put L-plates on and got on with it.
The roads were quieter too, which was probably just as well.
That little bike taught me an important lesson very quickly: how to watch out for other road users.
At the time all I really wanted was a car, so I eventually bought one, but the dream of riding motorcycles never completely disappeared.
In my late twenties after spending time as a pillion on my then boyfriend's bike I realised wanted to be up front.
So I signed up, passed my test and immediately completed my IAM qualification. Before long I was riding everywhere, even commuting by bike whenever I could.
My bike at the time was a Honda CB500 and I absolutely loved it. It was a great bike and, even if I do say so myself, I could ride it pretty well.
Then life changed. Children arrived. I still remember the day I realised my pregnant body was too big to zip up my leathers.
I cried. I knew I wouldn't be riding for a while.
But I also knew something else.
I knew I'd be back when the children were grown up.
And eighteen years later, that's exactly what happened. When my youngest turned eighteen, I bought a Yamaha MT-07 and started riding again. I was excited to be back on two wheels, but something had changed.
Motherhood had changed me.
I found myself thinking differently about risk and consequence. I wasn't the rider I'd been eighteen years earlier and, if I'm honest, I was holding myself back a little.
The only way through it was to keep riding. I clocked up plenty of miles with other riders, gradually rebuilding my confidence and rediscovering the joy of being on a bike.
After the MT-07 came a Yamaha Tracer 900. Then, after another year or so, I test rode a BMW R1250GS.
That was it.
I was smitten.
I was lucky enough to have ridden a lot of different bikes at the ABR Festival, so I already had a good idea of what suited me and what didn't. I bought a factory-lowered GS1250 and haven't looked back.
I can get both feet firmly on the floor, I love the low centre of gravity and more than three years later I still have absolutely no intention of changing it. It's definitely my favourite bike.
One of the greatest joys of returning to motorcycling has been sharing it with my children.
Whether it's my daughter riding pillion in the very same leathers I couldn't zip up when I was pregnant with her, or my son joining me on the Wirral Egg Run surrounded by more than 5,000 motorcycles, those moments are incredibly special.
My biking journey has come full circle.
Since returning to biking, I've thrown myself into developing my skills and experience. I would encourage any rider to keep learning.
As soon as you pass your test, ride as many miles as you can.
Ride with people who are better than you.
Take further training.
I've always ridden with a lot of IAM-qualified riders and have completed both IAM motorcycle and IAM car qualifications myself.
I've also completed off-road challenges and BMW's two-day off-road training course.
The confidence these experiences build is invaluable. You'll become a better rider and, perhaps more importantly, you'll never be afraid of a gravel car park again!
Over the last six years I've been fortunate enough to enjoy some incredible trips.
A tour with Toro Adventure near Malaga introduced me to the roads of southern Spain and my first experience of riding a BMW GS.
I later toured Spain and Portugal with the same company and friends on a lowered GS1250, which sealed my love affair with the bike.
Then came island hopping with Canary Motorcycle Tours through Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Gomera. The roads in Gran Canaria were unlike anything I'd experienced before and provided a real test of my riding skills.
Since then I've toured Scotland, Ireland and countless roads across England and Wales. I loved the passes in Ireland…. Not the most challenging roads but the scenery, people and beaches are spectacular.
I've ridden through the Picos Mountains and completed a five-country tour in five days with friends.
Every trip has taught me something and improved my riding a little more.
If I had to choose a favourite motorcycle memory, though, it wouldn't be a mountain pass or a famous road. It would be an off-road section in the Picos. Twenty miles of gravel, rocks, a dropped bike and plenty of laughter. The views were spectacular and the whole experience was enormous fun.
For anyone considering motorcycling, my advice is simple.
Never stop learning.
Don't be afraid to challenge yourself.
Build your skills.
Build your confidence.
Learn to navigate.
Learn how to repair a puncture.
Travel with good friends.
Explore the roads less travelled.
And when an opportunity comes along, say YES.
Because eighteen years after hanging up my leathers, I discovered that confidence can come back.
And some adventures are worth waiting for.