I couldn't tell you how old I was, but I think I was older than most kids when they learn to ride. I had training wheels and then one day I just rode out of the garage and I was good to go. Like you said, it was almost like a switch was flipped. After that point it was all about ramps and jumping my sisters hand me down girl bike with a banana seat. Ah man, I thought I had a photo somewhere in digital format, but I guess not...