Welcome from Kinston ! Nice detailed intro post. Similar story loving riding from the neighborhood kids all the way through my late 20's, but always casual riding. I've had a lot of stolen bikes as well but most of them were dept store cheapos. When I got my 1st bike store bike I guarded it like a hawk and I still have it.

When I started back in '14 it was also on a hybrid that didn't last long before I cleaned up the old Fuji and started club riding for the 1st time. Finding Bike Forums really helped with my enjoyment & knowledge too. Get another 9 posts not in The Lounge section and you can start posting photos.