Thanks, folks.

I can do basic repairs. Enough to keep a bike rolling with the routine things. Can't do everything, though. Can't do the things that require special tools or things that get too high tech or, for that matter, things that take too much strength. For instance, haven't tackled repairing hydraulic brakes and really don't want to tackle the job. Even my repair guys at the shop don't like that one. I can't break open hubs and cranksets or replace cassettes and that sort of thing. Those take special tools and, sometimes, the kind of strength I don't have. Most of what I've learned, I've learned from necessity. There have been times I simply couldn't afford to take a bike to a bike shop for repair or the time to take a bike in for repair.

As for how many bikes? I've kept two 26" MTBs from my Chicago bicycle commuting days that are near and dear to me. Great bikes with a lot of sentimental attachment, but also great bikes in their own right. One is a 1996 steel Kona Kilauea MTB, one of the finest steel MTBs frames ever made. The other is a more modern aluminum Trek 8000 that I had my favorite Chicago bike shop upgrade with even higher end components. Both of the bikes got me through two very snowy Chicago winters, innumerable rain storms, sub-zero cold and so much more. Otherwise, it's all plus bikes (3) or fat bikes (5), now. The wide tire stuff is ideal for this country.

Sounds crazy to have that many bikes, I know, but it's practical, too, and we can now afford to splurge. We both worked like dogs all our lives. Each bike is set up for specific types of riding and trail conditions.

More than that, though, my bicycling has never been just a hobby or sport for me. It's always been a lifestyle and a passion. It's how I keep my health and my sanity into my old age. It really is no exaggeration to say that my bicycling has significantly extended my lifespan and helped me overcome some serious health issues. The day I have to stop riding really is the end of the line for me. I really want to look back at my life and say it was one hell of a ride.