Started on a Varsity Jr. when I was 12 years old, long before there were mountain bikes or even BMX, but living adjacent to the canyons in San Diego the road bike got a lot of off-road use too. As BMX bikes and parts hit the market I started building and riding BMX bikes because they held up to more brutal use than the road bikes, when mountain bikes and parts became available I started building and riding mountain bikes because they allowed much higher speeds off-road.

Today I have three road bikes (2 geared and 1 FG) and four mountain bikes (2 geared, 1 SS 29er, 1 urban) and I probably spend as much time riding on either type. Mountain biking, whether off-road or urban, is more about freedom and overcoming challenges to me, and I would equate with high-spirited fun. Road biking is more about consistancy and is more cerebral to me, and I equate it more as spiritual. Either way though, I would never give up one for the other.