I'll be 31 next month. Got a mongoose mode 900 a couple summers ago. I hadn't rode a bike with any regularity since grade school. Only a handful of times between then and when I bought the mongoose. I loved riding my bike once I learned how...but roller blades got popular for a little bit, and I enjoyed that more. By Jr high, I started getting more interested in video games or just hanging out with friends. Which was usually sitting around listening to music. A fair amount of my friends skateboarded...not for me... I get older, and just got more into video/computer games and hanging out. Life goes on. My main source of transportation has been my two feet, or busses. Finally decided I should get a bike to get from point A to point B. Was thinking of just a simple cruiser. Anything more than a single speed or bigger than 24 inch tires is just not for me. Mentioned to some coworkers I was thinking of getting a bike. Apparently they were into bmx. Said I should get one. The thought was appealing. Brought back vague memories of my childhood. I was never good at any tricks on my bike as a kid, but I was ballsy and loved trying basic things. So, I thought "what the hell?" I wanted to get in better shape, and figured trying tricks could be a fun way. Plus, early mid life crisis type of stuffs. Wanted to regain some youth, YOLO and all that jazz. So...bought the mongoose. I was a little uneasy at first, after not riding any bike in a very long time, but in no time, I was a kid again. I didn't realize how much I missed just cruising around on a bike. Started relearning things, didn't go as easy as I thought. Ended up messing up my ankle. By the time it healed, it was winter. I live in Utah. Winters can be pretty harsh. But, those few months was all it took. Spring came, and all I thought about was riding. Unfortunately last year I wasn't able to ride nearly as much as I wanted. As such, my progression was very slow. Being old and out of shape doesn't help. My body doesn't want to do what my mind wants it to do. But, I tried as best as I could, and enjoyed it. I have a new bike now. Spent more than I really should have for being a newb to bmx, but whatever. I wanted to learn street and flatland, and built a single bike for both. It's more suited to my size, and what I want out of a bike. That has helped me progress faster. Which has just makes me want to try harder. But, I'm cautious in my old age. Makes it harder to commit. And, I can't just walk an injury off like I could in my youth. I fall down, I feel it to the bones lol. But, I hobble and limp away, with a smile on my face. I now make a point to ride every day, as long as time, weather, and my body allows. Even if I don't practice anything, riding in a empty lot, going in circles with my headphones in has become my de stresser. I'm glad I started riding a bike again, and I'm really glad I chose to ride a bmx. I just wish I didn't take so long to get back into something enjoyed.
