All good points Nick, except I don't want to be one with your god nor do I think I really get to go out into nature. The rest rings true for me.
I like the weekend warrior aspect. I started more serious long distance riding by getting a taste of touring from a buddy. But that was too slow paced, not enough enduro. By slow paced I don't mean slow riding--my buddy was much faster than me--but too many stops for rest and photos.
This is as close as I can get to anything enduro like eco challenge, I figure.