[JohnnyB]

I don't ride now, but back when I was a teenager I started learning at around 14 or 15 (also with TooCool) and had my own bike at 16. Rode a Shadow Ace 750 all through high school and undergrad, and took it around most of Western North America, except for Alaska which I tried to reach but had mechanical issues in northern BC that stopped me.

After moving to Taiwan I also had a little 250cc cruiser (that was the max legal displacement) that I used for exploring random hidden villages and mysteries all over the island. Had amazing experiences because of it.

When I moved to mainland China, it didn't make sense anymore and I would just ride my Shadow on occasional trips back to Canada. I still have it though, and am not really inclined to ever get rid of it as there are too many memories connected to it. I have been thinking a lot about getting my dad's old Valkyrie up and running again though. He is too old to ride now but it's a beautiful bike and would be fun for showing my wife more of the Canadian wilderness in the summer.

Being on a bike was a huge part of my life when I was younger. I would ride year round when the roads weren't icy, and even a crazy ride from Vancouver to Calgary in snow and ice that had me arrive with icicles hanging off my fenders and nerve damage in my thumb from the cold. I really miss those experiences. Cars are of no interest to me, but being on a bike is something I have a visceral emotional connection to.