The truth? Most CBT nerves have nothing to do with ability. They’re about uncertainty. The vast majority of riders complete their CBT in one day — especially if they arrive prepared and calm.

One of the biggest mistakes riders make when getting back on a bike after winter is jumping straight into a long ride or busy group event.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re somewhere on the UK motorcycling licence rollercoaster. And if you’re anything like me — over 50, fuelled by grit, and just a bit flipping stubborn — then you probably know that this journey isn’t just about passing a test. It’s about proving to yourself that you can and won’t give up.

I knew this Mod 1 training session would test not only my ability to balance and corner, but also the whispering doubts in my mind. I had to be better than I had been before. I had to push myself just a little bit further past my comfort zone. Kurt, our trainer, radiated calm as usual and always full of insights. As he guided me and my riding pal for the morning through slow-speed manoeuvres and hill starts, I strained to keep my gaze on the horizon making sure that Kurt did