I have a very good mate who is a FarRider and an IBA member. He calls his bike the "Shrink", and regularly has one on one sessions with his "Shrink". Therapeutic, definitely. I, like Phil have been riding from a young age [15] and have always had a bike in the shed.
Travels have taken me all over Australia and overseas to places that are etched in my mind. Khardung La in north/western India, The Big Sur from Monterey to Hurst's Castle, stunning. Track time at Laguna Seca, brilliant.
But probably the best part of owning a bike is the simple act of wheeling it out of the shed, starting it and heading of till it's time to return home. Where, it doesn't matter, just you and it, like an old lover, can't be without, always reliable and honest.
Can't see myself without a bike in the shed, the wife tells me the Trophy will be my last. I don't know, as long as she still gets on behind me I'll be happy. Much happier than most 73 years young can be. Cheers.