So...on these long rides...are they more refreshing as you discuss when you are alone? Or when cycling with friends? Is there a strong difference? I recently completed my first century...with 3 friends that tended to ride a bit faster than me...I found that this added pressure to "keep up"...even though they made the statement that "ride at your own pace"...and they meant it.
While it definitely made the miles go by faster to have someone to talk to during the ride...I did not find it as mentally refreshing as other longer rides...