When I was a young teenage punk, growing up in Berkeley and Oakland, CA, I just hated old people. Couldn't stand them. They were so set in their ways, were stupid and self-righteous, and had no respect for younger folks. Even after I'd passed the age of 19, I wanted to stay 19 forever.

To an extent, I've been able to stay 19. Carefree, irresponsible, no allegiances to anybody or anything. And I still hate old people!

Good thing most of the people in this 50+ forum are not that old! I think it has to do with riding a bike.

Seriously, rather than conservative/liberal (which hardly ever comes up), the biggest dichotomy amongst those who post in this section can be encapsulated in Robert Pirsig's Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: classicists vs romanticists. Classicists do all their own mechanical work and think it's simple enough on bikes that anyone should be able to. Romanticists have no idea how the bike works and take it to the shop to have everything done, and they get annoyed at the attitude of classicists. So just stay away from that conversation & everything will be civil!

Luis