Agree with the point about "training for a purpose." Over time, training becomes a bit like work as you "have to do it" and push on. Late last year, following the completion of the "Hotter n' Hell Hundred," when there was nothing on the ride calendar, I re-discovered how enjoyable just riding was, recreational riding, rather than training. The training rides can also be fun, and the events certainly are, but it was a change of perception to just ride at whatever speed I felt like, and go as far or little as I felt like rather than following my training plan.