I can relate to this phenomenon from both sides. The past three years has been very difficult for me to ride - all due to physical issues. I SERIOUSLY want to ride, but my body isn't cooperating. I'm putting on weight because I can't be active! I know I'll feel better and be healthier (BP, cholesterol, etc) if I could drop the excess weight.

Summer of 2011 was the diagnosis/testing/surgery/recovery of Prostate cancer. Last year it was the scar tissue from all of the previous abdominal surgeries... Now with this neck pain issue (severe arthritis and bulged discs), which will require at least six more months of treatment - due to insurance 'hoops' I must go through - they control the approval step-by-step. No jumping to step 5 even though every doctor says steps 1 through 4 are not gonna work. I've already wasted five months on this BS... So this riding season is gonna be a bust. THAT depresses me!

Well, that's not stopping me from totally rebuilding my Fuji, and totally rebuilding my latest n+1... and planning and getting the accessories for my 'bucket list' of bike tours....

My former riding partner totally gave up bikes... I've been trying to goad him into getting back to it, but like the OP's buddy, he's seemingly content to wait for 'the end' - and he's not even sixty yet!

AAaaauuuugh! Makes me want to scream!