I have read a lot of similar material and now handle the fitness side with short rides with sprints a couple of days a week (on the trainer in the winter). But I still like to take longer (e.g. 30-40 mile) rides with my wife simply for fun. I actually enjoy them more now that I don't worry about getting "sufficient" mileage in each week. How about looking for new ride location, stops midway for lunch, etc.