Originally Posted by DaveQ24

Actually my most intensely personal time is riding. It's my uninterrupted time to embrace the "spiritual" aspect so to speak. I've often found it most helpful during the worst times in my life, such as a few years ago when an immediate family member had terminal cancer. Also many of my most positive moments were spent riding and in other athletic activities - because I am NOT a natural athlete, I have struggled with weight issues much of my life -been as heavy as 220ish when my ideal is about 160 - and I never had much opportunity as a kid to get involved in sports - my parents thought athletics were a waste of time, only academics counted in my family. So it's a lot more meaningful to me to be able to do physical challenges - honestly, I'm probably more personally proud of my first Sprint triathlon finish in 2013 (? Maybe 2012 - yikes I can't remember the year!) in the 62nd percentile for men in my age class (45-49) than I was obtaining a 2nd bachelors 20-some years ago with a perfect GPA. Basically though, just hopping on and riding does something for me that no other sport comes close to in terms of mental enjoyment - swimming is close perhaps as both allow internal reflection.

Group rides - at this time my schedule just doesn't work with it. I've still been paying my dues to local club and USA Cycling the past few years but the last time I attended a local meeting was late winter 2014 and the last club group ride I did was June 14 IIRC. Well maybe next year.