history of bikes

Let's recap a little history of me and biking....
There was that first bike.  Whose bike was that?  It was used and had those rusty fenders.  Thankfully I did not take this as indication to stay away from bikes...  The infamous handlebar to the head incident.  I was young.  My cousin, Terry, was helping me clean the rusty fenders.  My mom was observing.  We both let go of the bike at the same time (I guess it didnt have a kick stand) and CLUNK we got a bleeder.  I dont think there is a scar.  I remember there were a number of butterfly bandaids.  And I suspect the rest of the rust remained.  It eventually got an upgrade to a banana seat - remember those?  And a lecture on how they weren't so two people could ride on the bike at the same time.  I think the little girl across the street and I tried it anyways.
The next bike - and the only one before my last purchase - was a gift from my dad on my birthday.  I think it was grade 3.  I remember going up to the bike store on 34 near Hurley Pond Road.  We walked all around.  We looked at all the bikes.  I got to sit on a few.  And we made a decision - the maroon Ross 3 speed with tan lettering and soft seat.  But it was a gift and I'd have to wait for it.  I dont think it came home with us that day.  I think my dad brought it home later for me. 
Somewhere in there between the two bikes I do remember him teaching me how to ride.  Frazee had a good slope for getting up some speed when teaching how to ride a bike.  A pain to get back up but not that bad.  But I started going places on that bike - ice cream, Sarah's, St. Denis, town (what was the deal with only so many minors in the 7-11 at a time?), and the best destination of all - the beach - especially when you rode home via Riverview - what a great road - tree lines, pretty trees, almost flat...
And I eventually started getting lectures that I needed to use the bike more.  I think that's why there was a never an upgrade to the bike.  And truth be told I think that bike lasted up until not too long ago at my parents house.
I got this bike 2 years ago after I signed up for the first race.
And I still hear that lecture echoing in my mind - you need to use the bike more.