I mainly ride alone, usually between 40kms and 120kms, and find that time goes really quickly on the bike. I'm usually concentrating on technique, and being a competitive kind of person I usually push myself to the point where i couldn't hold a conversation anyway. It's never boring, it's 'my time', I enjoy the freedom and the only person I'm answerable to is myself. If I ride well it's my fault, if I struggle and ride badly it's my fault too. I can stop when I want, go where I want and enjoy the experience without distraction.