I used to ride loads at uni oop north in England but not be interested in the competitive side of the sport. I just used to head for the hills on my trusty Raleigh 531 - but then got into being a fan of the racing as a result of Obree/Boardman on the track then Boardman and Sean Yates in yellow. Channel 4's coverage of the Tour at that time was really good.
Then I drifted away from it (and all my other sports) due to lurve and partying.
I got pretty fat, but by accident ended up living somewhere in London where there wasnt an easy tube ride to get to work so I bought a hybrid and started riding, after a while I wanted a road bike again (turn of the century). I went into the bike shop and saw a Bianchi and fell in love with bikes again.
So I started watching Pantani, (and I am reluctant to say it, but have to admit it, LA) and started riding harder and doing some audax and randonnee kind of events.
I did OK, which motivated me and lost a ton of weight and there was a big upsurge in media coverage of cycling in the UK because the Olympic track team were doing so well, so I really got back into it. Both as rider and as a fan.
I did some 10 mile TTs this year, and went evens on my second go, which at 42, makes me wish i had taken it up a bit younger. I think I would have been an OK rouleur. I spent my teens playing rugby, which does not develop a great physique for bike riding up mountains (as I found out on a fun race up the Aple d'Huez this year where my *** was whupped by a load of 23 year old 55kg grimpeurs - it was fun though) but on the flat and around our short steep Surrey Hills stuff I can do OK, for an old guy.
Next year I want to do a 25 TT under the hour and do some Cat 4 racing.
Thanks Bianchi/Pantani!