My first question:
Got kids?
I ride 400 miles a month with 2 young children, 1 full time job, 1 part time job; and coaching a sport.

Everyone has a different setup in their relationship compared to others and what works for one is a total non-starter for others.
reality is brutal sometimes.

sorry to see it play out. There are worse things than working hard and riding a century once a month.
Hopefully you are able to find a balance and can enjoy your hobby.

Not yet, as we're only about eight months into the marriage and getting settled! I'm glad you get time to do that much riding with a busy schedule. As far as hobbies go, I have to juggle the riding with several hours of dog walking each week, growing a 1,500 square foot vegetable garden, taking care of an acre of garden property surrounding my parents yard, keeping a journal concerning my bird watching and related photography, leather working (professional and personal projects), and archery. I'm currently working 40-60 hours per week, six days a week, so everything is pretty crunched up at the moment!

The once a month century was sort of a way for me to get out of it all and really stretch myself physically while having time to think quietly. We'll see what I come up with instead!

-Gregory

Birding.

In many ways birding is my preferred form of exercise, as it gets me outdoors and attuned to nature. However, Gala can't stand coming along when I go out for a dedicated session because I literally stand or crouch in one place for half an hour or more with frequency, between miles of trudging about... So that won't exactly be a pleasing alternative proposal! 😰

How long is this Tour of Sacramento Valley ride? Are the monthly long rides just to prepare for the Tour, or something you want to do regardless of the Tour?

That is a pretty serious list of endeavor's. Any one of those could strain a new marriage imho. Not sure adding a century a month is going to reconcile that much other strain but it might help if you could dial it back on some of the other things, maybe. I would encourage you to take a good look at keeping your wife on board, I am not surprised that she became resistant to ramping up another big effort with so many irons already in the fire. Again all this imho.

[MENTION=149088]brockd15[/MENTION] I want to do five or six days in Sacramento Valley. Being from the San Joaquin, I rarely have reason to get up there (or time) but I've long been fascinated by the agricultural differences and slightly wild appearance of much of the northern valley. I get up there for bird watching on a day trip once in a blue moon, but think that exploring the region from a bicycle would be a great way to get really acquainted with the place.
[MENTION=396646]Spaghetti Legs[/MENTION] Yeah, I talked to Gala last night, and even mentioned that I'd asked for the collective wisdom of the forumites regarding the situation! She's fine with me doing the tour because she knows it's something I have wanted to do for a long time, and is even fine with the century rides. She's not fine with them right now because there is clearly not enough time in the day to do everything. I understand, and won't be doing any more centuries after six day work weeks.
[MENTION=425004]merziac[/MENTION] Mostly everything is dialed back except for walking our dog and gardening. Those are responsibilities that cannot be ignored, and of which Gala partakes, so I'm fine there. In fact, it's time to walk Pippin! Have a nice Tuesday, everyone.

-Gregory

Oh, got it, I thought it was an organized/supported ride you were preparing for.
Well, in that case, it sounds like you're current level of fitness should be just fine. Shorter distances with good effort should keep you in shape to enjoy the tour and spend more time with the wife.
Win win!