Grew up in the country, started riding on the road, before Mountain bikes existed.
My first real road bike, a ten speed with drop handlebars(Monshee Nomad) I bought at 15, with money I earned. Didn't drive road the 10 miles to school, to friends places, to conservation areas, to work, everywhere.
Was a cross country runner, and ran into my first years of university, but decided to switch to cycling to save my legs from shin splints.
Friend at my first job introduced me to touring and I was hooked.