I've thought about this a lot, why do we ride? Obviously, we love it...or at least like it a lot. But there has got to be a deeper reason, a reason we are motivated to suffer up long climbs, on hot days, deal with injuries et al.
For me, i think it's boiled down to simply this. I like the person I am when i ride. It's not that i don't like myself, or love being a father etc. But, the sense of feeling strong, young (again), and challenging myself - i think that's why i ride. Plus, the thrill of the breeze in your face on a ascent, or sense of acomplishment when done.
Why do you ride?