Colorado’s Nice Weather Makes Me Want to Ride

I used to ride. There was a time when my primary mode of transportation was an oil leaking, past it's prime, seen better days, 88 Harley Davidson FXSTS 1340 Springer Softail. After a good friend's near-death encounter with a truck, and two close calls of my own, I hung it up and haven't been on a bike since. That was over 20 years ago.

I dropped by the local Harley dealership over the weekend. Just stopped by to introduce myself and offer 95 Rock's support of any upcoming rides and events. After I left, something had changed. Now that I'm living in a climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year, incredible landscapes, and twisting roads to roll, the riding bug has bitten me hard. I really felt I was over it. The desire to ride again was something forever in my past. Now, it's about all I can think about. However, the close calls still haunt me.

When do you know it's time?  It's not quite as simple as "falling off a bike" and "jumping back on." Can anyone relate and offer some helpful advice?