At 58, Tepe Hamilton found herself at a crossroads. Middle-aged and divorced, her children grown and on their own, she was in search of a new passion. But rather than settling into a quiet routine, she found herself chasing the open road on the back of a Harley-Davidson.
“I had ridden on the back of someone else’s motorcycle and loved it,” Tepe recalled. “When that relationship ended, I thought, why not try it myself? I looked into a motorcycle safety class and decided to pursue it.”
Tepe’s journey began when she enrolled in a safety course at a local dealership. Over two days, she learned the basics, practiced on a small Honda Grom, and earned her license. But the leap from the classroom to real-world riding proved more daunting than expected.
“I thought I could go from a Grom to a big Harley-Davidson with ease. Oh no,” she said with a laugh. “The balance, the weight, the turning radius — it was a completely different experience.”
Her Harley 1200 Sportster, a 580-pound powerhouse, tipped over more than once in her early days.
“I had to ask my neighbor to help me get my bike up in my garage and driveway,” Tepe admitted. “At the dealership, they even had a class on how to right a fallen bike. It didn’t help much, but I’ve noticed there are always kind people willing to help when my bike has fallen. I always say, ‘Yes, you can help me!’”
Finding community and confidence
Despite early stumbles, Tepe was determined to master her Harley. Her turning point came when two fellow female riders invited her to ride.
“They showed up at my house with their bikes and got me riding,” she said. “We circled my neighborhood so many times that people posted about it on Facebook, wondering who was making all the noise!”
Tepe joined Panther Creek, a co-ed riding group with more than 300 members. The group became her lifeline.
“They have dinner rides, mystery rides, and charity events,” she said. “I was amazed by how friendly and welcoming the community was to me.”
The club’s events gave Tepe something to look forward to each week.
“The dinner rides aren’t just about the food,” she explained. “It’s the conversations, the shared excitement, and the friendships that form over miles of open road.”
Tepe also joined a riding group for women only, which added another layer of camaraderie and became a source of empowerment.
“You read about more women riding, but when I’m out by myself, I mostly see men. The women seem to prefer riding in groups,” she explained. “There’s something incredible about riding alongside other women who share your passion.”
Conquering the Tail of the Dragon
Just months after buying her bike, Tepe faced her greatest test yet: a ride through the infamous Tail of the Dragon, an 11-mile stretch of road in North Carolina known for its 318 sharp curves.
“It’s a good thing I didn’t watch any YouTube videos beforehand,” she said. “There’s a sign at the start that says, ‘High crash area.’ And they’re not kidding.”
The first day was nerve-wracking.
“I told myself I was never doing it again,” Tepe recalled. “But, by the end of the trip, I’d ridden it eight or nine times. It was amazing.”
The Tail of the Dragon isn’t just a road; it’s a rite of passage for motorcyclists. Tepe shared how her friends helped her prepare.
“We did practice runs on twisty backroads in Texas to build my confidence,” she said. “That preparation made all the difference.”
That trip, which included a two-day journey from Dallas to North Carolina, was the start of many more adventures. She’s since traveled to Hot Springs and Mena, Ark., and taken part in the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, Texas. Her North Carolina ride alone totaled 2,000 miles.
Tepe’s favorite part of these trips isn’t just the scenery, it’s the memories.
“There’s nothing like stopping at a scenic overlook, taking off your helmet, and sharing a laugh with your friends,” she said.
Breaking stereotypes, embracing freedom
Tepe’s love for riding has defied expectations, including her own.
“I was the mom who barely approved of my son taking a motorcycle safety course at 16,” she said. “Now here I am, riding cross-country.”
Her daughter, initially worried about the dangers, eventually joined Tepe for a ride.
“She loved it,” Tepe said. “As long as I drive carefully, she’ll hop on the back. It’s become a beautiful way for us to bond.”
Tepe reflected on the surprising bonds formed through motorcycling.
“People assume motorcyclists are tough and unapproachable,” she said. “But the community is full of people with big hearts. They support charity rides for causes like veterans, food pantries, and more. It’s humbling to see how much good they do.”
Tepe’s faith also plays a significant role in her rides.
“I don’t have a sound system, so I spend my time praying and reflecting,” she said. “God’s beauty is everywhere, and riding my motorcycle is a very spiritual experience. I pray for my kids, for others, for direction, and for safety.”
A life of no regrets
Now retired, Tepe is embracing this new chapter with gusto.
“My mom passed away in 2022, and I’ve been working on turning her Illinois farmhouse into an Airbnb,” she shared. “I’m also sorting through her belongings and mine so, eventually, my kids won’t have that chore.”
The farmhouse project has become a labor of love.
“It’s not just about creating a rental; it’s about preserving memories and giving my kids a piece of our family history,” she said.
But Tepe isn’t just focused on projects at home. She’s ticking off items on her bucket list, including a long-awaited trip to Hawaii in 2025.
“I’m not waiting for a second marriage or anyone else to make it happen,” she said. “I don’t want to look back with regrets.”
Tepe credits her resilience to lessons learned from both joyful and painful experiences.
“I wasn’t the best teenager, and I wasn’t the perfect mom,” she admitted. “But you learn from everything, especially the tough times. If you take away one positive from a bad experience, you’re doing great.”
Connecting and community
Tepe’s advice to people over 50 is to keep trying new things.
“Don’t be afraid. There are groups out there for every passion, whether it’s pets, books, cycling, or walking,” she explained. “The key is to get out of your house and connect with others. We weren’t meant to be alone.”
Tepe found meaning not only in her rides but also in volunteering at her church and in her community.
“Helping others adds so much to my life. I always say, if I can make someone’s journey easier, I’m happy to do it,” she explained. “There’s something freeing about knowing you’ve done all you can to live a full life. I want to see the places I’ve dreamed of, meet the people I care about, and be ready to meet God when the time comes.”
Tepe Hamilton’s story is a testament to the freedom that comes when you embrace new passions and refuse to be defined by fear. As she put it, it’s about being open to new experiences and finding your ride — whatever that may be.
For more information
People can connect with Tepe in several ways:
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/tepe.hamilton
- Email = tepehamilton@yahoo.com

After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.