Years later, in 1976, while I was serving in the US Navy, I needed a way to get around when I was port side in San Diego. A motorcycle just made sense, so I bought a used Suzuki 650. When I left the service, life happened – marriage, career, kids – but the love for riding never went away.

You were diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in 2017. How has motorcycling played into your recovery or mindset since then?

It’s been quite a journey. I used to be a big cyclist, but chemo and radiation hit me hard. I eventually got back on the bike and pushed myself to regain strength. Until one day while riding I had a stroke, crashed, and suffered a serious brain injury.  

But I kept going. I started riding e-bikes and then decided to get my M1 license. I knew dealing with gears wasn’t an option anymore, so I started looking at electric motorcycles. No shifting, no fuss, just freedom. And riding in the Conejo Valley – there's nothing like it. Canyons, coastlines, mountains. It’s so uplifting!  

What specifically drew you to electric motorcycles?

I live in a self-contained community, so taking a car for short errands just didn’t make sense. Riding an electric motorcycle, without the fuss of gears, is perfect for stop-and-go traffic. I saved a fortune on gas, and in California, that counts.

Tell us about your very first ride on a Maeving now. Where did you go, and what did it feel like?

I first saw Maeving at The Bike Shed in LA when it was just getting started in the US. I’d been following the brand on social media —I loved the vintage styling—but I needed that tactile experience.  

So, I took a short test ride, and it felt comfortable straight away, and that sealed the deal. There’s a bit of a story there too. My wife was going into emergency surgery that same day, and it was raining. I nearly cancelled the ride, but I figured I might not get another shot. I went, stayed ahead of the rain, and made it back in time to be with her post-surgery. It all worked out.

What's it like riding a Maeving in California?

Where I live, I’ve got 360° of perfect riding. I’m tucked between the Santa Monica and Santa Clarita Mountain ranges. In 15 minutes, I can be in a canyon, on a twisty rural road, or headed to the coast. Southern California has no riding season; of the 365 days the weather offers, close to 270 of them are favorable options to ride. The RM1S gives me the freedom to do that without worrying if I’ll make it back.  

It’s quiet, it’s got torque, and it looks like a classic. Riding it is a sensory experience. You’re out there in it, not just passing through.

How was it riding the RM1S at the 2025 Distinguished Gentleman's Ride?

It was fantastic. The RM1S fit the spirit of the event perfectly. Vintage styling, dapper dress, and a respectful nod to the past. I rode in the front third of the group and had no trouble keeping up.  

What's one thing you love about the RM1S that you didn't expect?

How solid the build is. The attention to detail and construction genuinely blew me away.

You share a lot in the Maeving Owners Group. Why's that important to you?

I think riding can be a gateway to creativity. I post photos, write up my rides, share thoughts. Some riders go deep on the specs. I focus on the beauty of where the bike takes me, from the mountains to the coast.

What sort of reactions do you get from other riders and the public?

Overwhelmingly positive. People ask what it is, where it’s from, how fast it goes. Even at car shows, where I park it next to McLarens and Mustangs, it draws a crowd. Kids want to sit on it. Parents ask questions. The design pulls people in – it's nostalgic and modern at once. I’ve even had people follow me just to find out what it is.

If you were trying to convince a friend who rides gas bikes to try a Maeving, what would you say?

You’ll save a ton on maintenance. No oil changes, no valve adjustments, no chains to mess with. Plus, you get that true vintage styling that has made British bikes so iconic.

And if someone was considering the RM1S as their first ever motorcycle?

I’d tell them how easy it is to ride. There are no gears, no distractions, just twist and go. You focus more on the road and your surroundings. It’s approachable and confidence-inspiring.  

Do you see riding as meditative, joyous, a creative outlet, or a mix of the three?

Absolutely a mix of the three. Riding feeds my soul!

Do you usually ride with a destination in mind, or just follow your curiosity?

Usually, I just ride and see where the road takes me. I try not to take the same route back – it makes every ride feel like a little adventure.

If someone had just one day to ride in California on their Maeving, where would you send them?

Mulholland Highway, without a doubt. You get everything: mountains, twisties, canyons, and even a pass by The Rock Store. With the reopening of a closed section — “The Snake” — this is a must. You can loop down to the Pacific Coast Highway and back. It’s iconic.

QUICKFIRE ROUND

Riding in the city or on the open road?

Open road.

If you could pick anywhere in the world to ride, where would you go?

Spain.

Favorite memory on a motorcycle?

As a kid at community picnic, local Harley riders would show up and give people rides. One year, a group on Triumphs and Nortons joined them. That’s when I really fell in love with bikes.

Riding solo or riding with others?

Solo, though I love showing people around my area too.

Best restaurant in Conejo Valley?

Mastro's Steakhouse.

Ideal day out?

Riding through Las Virgenes Canyon and Malibu Creek on a sunny day when the wildflowers are in bloom.

Time travel: past or future?

Past.

Best advice you've ever received?

You may not understand different cultures, but stay open to embracing them.

If Maeving made a short film about your rides, what song would play as the credits roll?

"History Repeating" by the Propellerheads feat. Shirley Bassey.

BOOK A TEST RIDE