I raced for about a decade. Quit racing and soon began supporting myself with a pedi-cab. After that, I went full stop.
I poured myself into rock climbing and eventually got married and went back to school (so I didn't need to ride a trike for money).
A month or so before my first kid was born, I got a nice bike and started riding again, it was about a 10 year break. I didn't miss the time I didn't ride but I sure missed not being as fast as I once was. He's 3 now and I've also got a 1 year old, I simply can't ride a lot now. I stay fit enough to enjoy it but not so fit that I need to train to keep it up. 4 (7 if you count my wife) bikes in the garage.
I like riding and I really like wrenching too. A week or three off the bike is still ok.