If I just go out and ride aimlessly all the time I get bored pretty quickly. I came to cycling from a running background, in fact I used to be a running coach. I approach cycling the same way I did running. I do intervals twice a week and a long ride on the weekend. The other days are smell the roses days. I do most of my riding solo but sometimes I hook up with a couple of guys who really make me work to just about hold on - those are my favorite rides.
I don't race but I do like to test myself.