I am waiting to get a new road bike for my graduation present (in May), as my old one was getting to be too much of a bother, breaking parts left and right, so I had to retire it. Right now, I have a 32x18 MTB, and a set of slicks, and I live in a region devoid of any geography. I have zero motivation to pedal the MTB along long, straight flat roads at 120 RPM, going about 13 mph, but it would be something. I crave getting my road bike (A Trek 1200, so I guess I won't be all SS soon!), and I dream, literally dream of pedaling for hours, over many miles. I just can't muster the motivation to keep a basic fitness level using my SS MTB and slicks, but I think I might just have to just do it one day, and spend about three hours doing a thirty mile ride. I have actually gained about 10 pounds and have a nice little beer belly now that I am very ashamed of. If I could just get some damn motivation to go out and ride, I would be good to go.

There'll be ups and downs of any hobby or sport.

You never lose hobbies. They only go dormant for a while, just to come back later stronger as ever.

Why not change the gearing on your MTB?

I also go about 13 mph, but I stay motivated to ride because 1.) I have some hills, and 2.) I'm trying to pretend that if I can ride 10-20 miles a day, I'm actually not getting old. At your age, you don't have to pretend!