Started out when I was about 13 and I upgraded my 15'' Giant Boulder 500.
Had this for about a year, then I built a DDG Shooter up from the frame with my xmas presents, birthday money and pocket money!
That was nicked after a few months, so I bought some mega old Monty which had some crazy triple clamp style rigid forks!!!
Sold it for pennies to my apprentices brother when I was about 17!