So glad to see someone talking about bicycles! Well, a lot of someone's that is...happy that so many are into this outstanding form of exercise and entertainment.
I started riding in the early 60's and began by racing BMX (my favorite was a custom built Redline), then got into road touring, eventually getting the second mountain bike in my town, a 1983 Specialized Stumpjumper. At one time I had eighteen bikes and traveled the world as a UCI Commissaire as well as all across the United States as a USAC National Official.
I had been sponsored by a local shop for several years racing a factory carbon fiber K2 until that one fateful night...finishing a thirty mile training ride and was within one mile of home when a pizza-delivery driver ran a red light. When I came to, I was surrounded by people (laying in the middle of a six lane road) and had no feeling from the waist-down. I was told I'd never walk again, never ride a bike again, and certainly never race again. It took four (very long) years but I was eventually able to ride and entered the same race I had promoted for many years (the Keyesville Classic) just to be able to prove everybody wrong. Unfortunately, my injuries led to a seven-year stretch on Chemo and I sincerely questioned whether I'd ever ride again, but you can't stop stubbornness!
My fleet is now down to a carbon Kestrel, Santa Cruz Highball Carbon, Santa Cruz XC, my old faithful Stumpjumper, and a first year elevated chainstay Nishiki Alien (ala Richard Cunningham)...well, and a dual sport BMW!
Thanks everyone for sharing!