I ride a stationary bike in the cold ass winter, I get that but nothing challenges me more than just feeling it all.
Regarding them not being right there, I seem to recall you have a pickup....I bet you can easily throw the bike in back take a 5-10 minute drive and get there easy enough.

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You got anyone in the area who needs motivation? Y'all can ride together making it more enjoyable, I ride with my wife and youngest most often, if the other 2 come with I can't push as hard cuz they can't keep up