Too old to take your motorcycle course?

I took my motorcycle course at 42.
Since then, I’ve ridden thousands of kilometers. It’s like I’ve been trying to make up for all the time I lost not riding—because it was as a teenager that I promised myself I’d own a Ninja. It took me 30 years to keep that promise to myself.

Here’s everything I would have missed if I had told myself I was too old…

SEASON 1 [2022]

Three weeks after getting my learner’s permit, I was stressed in corners. I told myself: no—I’m not going to risk having a heart attack every time I take a highway exit. So I signed up for my first advanced riding course at Pete Moto.

I was one of only two women there. I was the least experienced and, unsurprisingly, the slowest of all participants. With my “small bike” and my Ninja 650, surrounded by high-performing guys on their supersports, I could have felt intimidated—but I didn’t. That course changed my life.

That summer, I went back twice and rode over 20,000 km across Quebec and Ontario.

SEASON 2 [2023]

At Expo-Moto, I met the amazing Marie-Hélène from Chicks and Machines, who asked me:
“Do you want to be a collaborator?”
“Umm… YES, I want to be a collaborator!”

Thank you for all these incredible opportunities: bike tests, days at FAST Riding School, advanced training at LC Moto, and girls’ road trips.

That summer, I went back to Pete Moto at least 8 times, with another 20,000+ km.

SEASON 3 [2024]

At Expo-Moto (yes, again!), I met the team from the late Fly & Ride, who asked me:
“Do you want to be a guide?”
“Umm… YES! Of course I want to be a guide!”

After my trial in June and my first real trip as a guide in September, I was HOOKED—I wanted more! So I trained to become a travel agent and specialized in North American motorcycle trips.

SEASON 4 [2025]

My season started in February! Yes, February—with over 4,000 km starting from Phoenix to the Mexican border… before riding through the Canadian Rockies twice and the Grand Circle for the third time.

At the end of November 2025, our carrier shut down. It felt like the end of the world—I was losing my dream job. But thanks to our passionate team, we grabbed the throttle and became Fly n’Ride Évasion, through a collaboration with our affiliated travel agency and a new carrier.

SEASON 5 [2026]

The adventure continues. This year, several trips are planned, including the famous all-women Chicks & Machines trip (Biketoberfest Chicks n’ Fly), and a brand-new motorcycle collaboration in Italy.

As a motorcycle travel advisor, I have the privilege of meeting and talking with passionate riders every single day.

At every opportunity, I encourage women to take their course and ride on their own.
BUT… there’s one comment I hear way, way too often, and I quote:
“I’m way too old for that.”

Honestly, girl—I can’t hear that excuse about your age anymore. Respectfully, my ability to listen to you say you’re too old to chase your dream is completely exhausted. I’m begging you: silence that tiny, annoying little voice. 🤐🤫🙏

I passed my motorcycle course at 42… and I asked this question on social media:

“Help me find her—I’m looking for THE woman who took her motorcycle course the latest in life, so I can use her as an example the next time someone tells me that.
Ladies, how old were you when you started riding?”

And the responses poured in—stories more inspiring than the last, filled with courage, achievements, challenges, self-growth, and a thirst for freedom.

They did it. And they never looked back.

Josée Ménard also started at 42:

“16 years later, I’m still riding and no one can stop me. I have friends who are 72 and still ride—some are even road captains.”

Dominique Plante had dreamed of riding since she was a teenager:

“I dreamed about it since I was 15… For my 50th birthday, my life partner gifted me my course. No more back seat—freedom is mine!”

Line Legendre started at 56:

“Eleven years later, three bikes, 100,000 km, and the same passion! I just came back from the Grand Circle and I was blown away.”

Annie Tousignant had never even ridden a scooter:

“At 52, I took my course. A Sportster 883, then a Fat Bob, and for the past two years, a Road Glide!”

Stéphanie Perreault believes it’s never too late:

“I took my course at 44—a dream buried since my teenage years. For my 50th, I went solo through Maine, New Brunswick, and PEI! And the cherry on top—I bought my first brand-new bike: a 2025 Ninja 1100 SX!”

Annie Vient started at 48:

“I love it and always want more! I enjoy riding solo or not—and next year, I want to train on a track.”

Danielle St-Gelais started at 56:

“It’s my third bike now and I’m 62.”

Some had to overcome judgment.

Anne Levasseur taught her instructor a lesson:

“I took my course at 55 and my instructor asked why I didn’t just buy a Spyder. Grrr—I showed him that with determination, I made it—and I put my license right in front of him.”

Nathalie Munger fell in love with a Triumph Bobber at 56:

“After more than 3 years on a Spyder, I decided to take my motorcycle course at 56. It wasn’t easy, but I persevered. I passed—and I love riding this beautiful beast.”

Line Lamontagne stands for perseverance:

“I took my course in 2016 at 48! It wasn’t easy—I repeated full modules, paid for private lessons… but I made it. And now I take amazing motorcycle trips!”

Nathalie Labonté got the bug at 46:

“My partner got his license at 42. When he changed bikes, I bought his and got my license at 46. It’s my third summer riding and I love it—beautiful moments together!”

Stories of courage and rebirth

Marie-Claude Garceau turned fear into fuel:

“I was afraid of the clutch and losing balance… One day I decided I had to do it, or I’d regret it on my deathbed. Result: over 100,000 km, including a motorcycle trip to Provence for my 50th.”

Nadya Michel Habib, 45, went all in:

“I bought my Harley before even finishing my course—just to make sure I’d go all the way! My baptism was the Tail of the Dragon. I’m hooked and now on my second bike (Street Glide ST) that bites the asphalt!”

Élizabeth Brodeur started at 50:

“I loved the sound of my dad’s Vulcan 1500 and told him I’d buy it when he sold it. Four years ago, someone tried to buy it—no way. I took my course, and now I own three bikes. I’ll always be on two wheels.”

Marise Thivierge was 42—and even went back to school:

“Now I’m a specialized educator in long-term care, I’m 63, and I still ride.”

When riding becomes resilience

Martine Généreux took on the challenge at 61 despite injuries:

“I fought hard for my learner’s permit, but I’m persistent. Even after a fracture, I stay focused—I will finish this beautiful project.”

Marie-Élaine Boudreau’s story hits deep:

“I had my motorcycle license since 17 but never rode. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at 63, I told myself: I won’t wait to die to live my dream.”

Today, at 68, she still rides proudly on her Harley.

And how can we not mention Kat-hayley B-seven, whose determination defies all physical limits:

“After 23 years of pain, a distal femur tumor, a bone graft, relearning to walk, and 18 months of recovery, my doctor asked what I would do next. My answer: get my motorcycle license—finally!”

Her story reminds us: where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Freedom has no age

Mylène Bolduc teaches riding:

“I had a 70-year-old student—so inspiring to see her achieve her dream.”

Danielle Massicotte is enrolled:

“I’m taking my closed-course training on September 1st—at 70.”

Gaétane Lapierre still rides at 77:

“I took courses at 57, had 3 bikes, 370,000 km, and many trips. What a passion!”

To all those who say: “It’s too late for me…”

Women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s—even 70s—are proving it’s never too late to put on a helmet and hit the road—for themselves.

Look at these women. They weren’t born riders. They became living proof that it’s never too late to start—with a simple “yes” to themselves.

Some overcame fear.
Others, illness.
Others, judgment or injury.

But they all share one thing:
They chose freedom.
They dared to say yes to themselves.

Don’t take my word for it. Go read their stories—and add yours!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A4hnAE4fe/

The road belongs to those who dare.

Cathy

@CathyLam.Moto