Firstly, based on my maths Webby, you are 46 ..??? crikey .... does your missus know ..??? or did you lie ..???

Secondly ... i think you either "get it" or "you dont" with bikes. I grew up in a household where they were frowned upon, in fact after my uncle had a huge off in Switzerland they were forbidden, the basic rule was "buy a bike, find somewhere else to live" ... well I wriggled out of that, for the 1st year I had a bike I kept it in my uncles garage 5 miles from home, along with all my kit, and my parents only found out after i did finally move out of home, when my dad appeared unecpectadly at my new house and I was cleaning it ... i'm not sure what amused the neighbours more .... my dad turning up in the ice cream van, or the blazing row I was having in italian on my drive ... closely followed by having to placate two crying kids on my drive who wanted to know why "the ice cream man" had driven off before they had a chance to buy one .... but it hasnt stopped me ... my 996 is my 3rd bike and although i get frustrated with the whole thing at times, quite publicy, sorry, it only takes about 10 minutes in the saddle to realise what it all means .. from track days, to rideouts , to mountain passes in France ... its the isolation, togertherness, speed, sound and smell ....

and all the poeple you meet on the way ....

Pietro