Originally Posted by
tjspiel
Of course I look at life through a certain lens and right now the reality is that I don't have time to do all the things that I'd like to be doing. And it kind of kills me because I have to take a pass on a lot of opportunities.
So, looking at your rules through my lens I would either have fewer bikes or get rid of the rule that says I need to ride them all regularly. I don't need that kind of self-imposed pressure. They're your rules, you're allowed to change them.
I definitely have and would use my commute to train for an upcoming event because it's an efficient use of time. If you prefer to cruise on your commute instead, you could alternate days. If that doesn't do it, I'd say then you've got to decide what's more important to you at this time. However, I do think you want to continue to see commuting as something you enjoy, otherwise you may not keep doing it. If training is killing the joy, perhaps it's not worth it.
I love going hard. I also love ice cream. Too much of either is detrimental. Smelling the roses is trite, but it's also apt. For a few months, however, I need to use commuting for something different.
As for all the bikes, there are only five. The MTB I get out on the least, maybe twice a month March through October for some easy singletrack. The commuter gets daily use in the same timeframe. The fatty is my commuter and my workout partner November into March. My racer gets ridden a few times a week March through October. The tourer I ride when I go out with my wife, and I also have it built up to do gravel grinding in the future. I like the variety. I used to need an "offseason" from biking. In the past cycling sometimes felt like a chore that had to be done, but because I now ride multiple bikes that are so different I don't feel that anymore.