iPod.

Also, plan a route that forces you to do whatever distance you are planning, so you can't bail even if you want to.

Yep ... I'm busy thinking math when I cycle too. :D I'm often thinking things like ... my goal distance is 160 km. 1/7th of 160 km is just under 23 km. Therefore, I am now 1/7th of the way through this ride.

And I've done rides into howling headwinds where I've calculated that at the pace I'm going it will be an hour before I get to the next town ... and half an hour later, I do the calculation again, and it will still be another hour before I get to that town ... and half an hour later, I do the calculation again, and it will still be another hour before I get to that town ..........

try podcasts or books on tape.

they tend not to crowd out environmental sound as much as music, the longer arcs tend to pass time better than 3 minute songs.

plus you can learn stuff/take classes/catch up on the news/events while you ride.

i live on podcast through base training period (november to march: lots of long 4 hour solo rides).

tons of great content out there these days

Along with what others have said, I would simply suggest, "Train instead of just ride!" Throw in some sprints or intervals or do an extended climb on a steep hill while focusing on breathing and cadence. If you start making yourself hurt a little more, you might begin to appreciate and enjoy the "boring" moments on the bike a lot more.

98% of my riding is solo, and I don't mind one bit. I never get bored -I use my time in the saddle to think and decompress. If I'm really pushing the pace the only thing on my mind is riding -cadence, technique, body position, focusing on the road in front of me etc...I guess for me I've almost always ridden solo that I'm conditioned for it. I don't mind a group ride, as often times it helps me push the pace and improve my bike handling skills.

I like to either explore somewhere randomly, get lost and look up directions on my phone.

Or I pick some monument or sight to see, ride out to it, enjoy it for a quick break, then return home

My mind provides its own entertainment.

Tunebug if you want music.

http://www.tunebug.com/products/shake

LIke most of those that responded to this post, I ride solo 90% of the time. I live in the San Gabriel Valley also and there are so many courses that I ride, I never get bored. Part of the joy that I get from riding alone is that it helps me to sort things out (I know not everyone is religious but, I am and i spend the 15-20 minutes of a ride in prayer). I will do the occasional group ride so that I can test myself against others but, I say enjoy the time spent alone.

Almost all solo for me also...no matter the distance, they all go like this:

• First 1/4: Why is this so hard? Gosh I suck. Ugh.
• Next 1/4: OK...I'm really feeling it now...legs good...feelin' strong.
• Next 1/4: Cruise control baby!
• Final 1/4: Oh Jeez...I think I went too hard. I hope I make it home.

I'm never lonely...I'm talking to myself all the time.

I love solo rides. It helps me focus on getting better rather than wasting time yammering and wearing down my brake pads when the lead out won't pedal down hills.

I also hate solo rides; I do nearly all of my 3+ hour rides with atleast one other person.

For this reason I ride solo for <or= to 2 hrs where I can keep a moderate intensity (tempo+). When you're ride is only ~90-100 min with a warmup and cooldown after, you can keep a good balance between boredom and pain.

Pain isn't boring.

I often look and find stuff on the road shoulders, almost every ride. CD's, sunglasses, and small tools are pretty common finds. Other times I'm sprinting or cruising home and won't stop or slow down to look. :speedy:

explore new areas

This begs the question, what is Mr. Roper riding?
I'm picturing a Cervelo in full team kit.

Check your local library for books on CD. Rip books onto your MP3 player or Ipod.
Or you can just gain an appreciation for your own pulse thundering in your temples and the shriek of wind in your ears. :love:

Seriously. Bored?

velobeats.com

Don't really have that problem, I've always got a bunch of crap running through my head. Sometimes, I'll zone out a bit and get lazy when I should be riding hard.

A powermeter is a great tool to keep occupied/motivated on the bike if you like to do structured training rides or just want to set new personal bests (sort of like a training partner that always pushes you harder).

Haha great post

I ride solo alot even 100 lilers in the past. jus find interesting and new places to ride. you can always stick something on your helmet to look like e cell headset then talk to yourself!

Cars keep me plenty of company. ;)

There is a myriad things to reckon about.

Road clarity, pedal stroke, traffic, people and things around you, past, present, future, new ways to ride, old ways to ride, gear ratios, rain, wind, politics, spirituality, plants, music (in a non listening way for me), birds, .... and I always bring my VDCM (visual digital moment capture device) in a case I notice a present vision I'd like to not have to just remember as my memory is not that accurate.

Edit: VDMCD to be mo' axact

I just did 72 solo. I don't always do this, but this time i listened to an audio book on my iPod. As pointed out upthread, talking doesn't wipe out the background sounds like music does, so i feel safe and still connected to my environment.

I also sometimes listen to podcasts. I always do on my MUP commute.

Another podcaster.

This. Plus, if you can carry on a conversation while riding you aren't riding hard enough.