I was introduced to serious riding at age 14, when a church youth group sponsored a weeklong bike tour. It sounded like: a.) fun, and b.) a way to get away from the house for a week.
It was transformative; when I came back, charged up and full of joy, my mother displayed rare insight and negotiated the purchase of the loaner bike I'd ridden that week. That bike changed my life -- I reunited with my father (on the down-low, mom hated him!), commuted to my first job, and stupidly let it go for the sake of a car.
In my 40's, I was FINALLY able to recapture the unfettered joy and glee of that time. I've been addicted ever since, and have taken it so far that I am now car-free.
30+ years later, 80 pounds heavier, I am faster over the old commute distance on a mountain bike than i was on the 10-speed!
It's like being a kid again, WITH the kids.