Commuting can't be a guilt-motivated activity for me - I'm tired of guilt! So I made myself a fun-o-meter and I measure every day against my rating scale.

To ride to work, I need a fun-factor of at least 5 (and mood and physical well-being will tip the scale arbitrarily). Starting out at 10, I subtract 2 for dark coming or going, 2 for below freezing, 4 for chance of rain above 50% and 3 for winds over 15mph. All those things are fun-suckers.

Sounds stupid but it gives me something concrete to use to make my decision and not feel guilty because maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

But ultimately, if you're just not having fun, forget it. I think you'll find your motivation will rise again when your partner is back on the bike and birds start chirping in April and the blooms are on the cherry trees!