You should enjoy what you do, obviously. If watching your mileage flip over to a certain number is what gives you joy in riding, then so be it.

I like to try and ride briskly as I can, but I'm not super fast. Better than speed I love watching those miles flip over too. It's also kinda amazing to look at a map and see how much space that covers between towns. Plus, the scenery you see, imo. It's cool to go from town, to totally empty country side.

Since my crash I haven't been able to really resume riding. I did a little last summer. But, pain put me back in pt and off the bike.

I still hurt, but am ready to try again. However, I have this serious urge to rip everything off my bike and make her nekkid. No hrm for me, no cadence senson, no Garmin... kinda thinking about even taking off my bar end mirrors, my saddle bag even lol... just stuff a tube/co2 in one jersey pocket, and LaraBar in the other pocket... and go! Crazy, eh? lol

I had one other time I was recovering from surgery and my stats were bumming me out so I went clean bar. Frankly, it was a truly freeing experience now that I think back.