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.

I normally ride by myself, and don't have that much human contact at work or at home, so I appreciate it when I do get to ride with other people. That being said, I don't usually get bored when I'm riding, but it does get lonesome on long rides by one's self.

My suggestion in your case is "Get off the MUP". Go some place more interesting where you actually have to watch traffic and navigate and all.

I should point out audio books often cost money, but many, many podcasts are free.
I like:
The Fredcast cycling podcast
The Spokesmen cycling podcast
Fresh Air (npr)
This American Life
The Moth
Planet Money
Freakonomics

all are free!

Yeah, I'm getting more than my money's worth from my yearly donation to NPR!

Car Talk
Lake Woebegone
Planet Money
This American Life
Radiolab
Wait Wait Don't Tell Me
Will Shortz' Sunday Puzzle

I ride solo almost exclusively since most of my riding is my commute (about 40 minutes each way). I typically tune into NPR or a pandora station and just keep the volume to a level where I can hear my surroundings still.

Is that using a smart phone? Does your plan let you stream that much without costing zillions?

I just ride with music on solo rides. Even then it's tough but you just have to keep going.

On the road, the scenery keeps me distracted.
In Prospect Park, where there are plenty of female joggers, the scenery keeps me distracted.

+1

OP is in southern california, right? There's got to be a ride to a beach with nice "scenery" he can take in.

That would be awesome! But sadly I live inland and closest beach is 70miles round trip(I ride to there every other weekend )