Wow! My first taste of riding was on the back of my Dad's old 350 Honda. He bought it to hill climb with his friends but would occasionally take me for a ride. He wrecked it in the rain and decided they were too dangerous. he never replaced it. I always wanted to ride but never did, until my husband bought a bike about 5 years ago. I was content to ride on the back of his for 1 summer. I told him I wanted to learn how to ride myself. I had this burning desire to be in control! (I've struggled with this for years) So we went out and got me a 750 Honda Ace. He taught me the basics and then I took a class. I love riding! My kids are all grown so I feel safe riding. I know if something should go wrong, they will survive. My biggest fear has always been curves. I was in a wreck when I was a teenager, I wasn't driving but we were going too fast around a curve and flipped the car. Seatbelts weren't the thing back then and I went through the windshield. I developed a very healthy fear of curves or maybe it is unhealthy. So getting up to the speed limit on my bike around curves has been a major feat for me. This summer, my husband and I went to the Smokies. We rode our bikes on the tail of the dragon. This is truly an awesome experience if you've never been. Let me just say this, 318 curves in 11 miles, you do the math! Needless to say, I have conquered my fear of curves. I did not ride too fast and barely went the speed limit most of the time. (I value my life!) I do feel this qualifies me for  a step above novice now. I am almost 50, a mother of 3 and grandmother of 6 and I feel like I am just beginning to enjoy life.