Some say that true enlightenment can only come through the denial of the 'Self'.  They endure hours, days, weeks of abuse and self denial to achieve 'true' enlightenment.  I don't know about all that crap, but I do know that my couch is the softest, most comfortable thing in the entire universe after a solo 24-hour race.  I don't ride for the enlightenment, the fitness, or the thrill.  I ride to make my couch worth all the money my wife paid for it.