My observation, in myself and in others, is that for many people it is about objectives/targets or whatever.
When I raced (now over 10 years distant) there was a reason to go out on the bike. I had e.g. a training camp to be ready for and then some targetted events. I didn't want to go out, but I knew I had to.
Then I had a few years of "if I can tick over OK then once work allows I can get back to racing".
Now I'm increasingly convinced that this will never happen, and therefore there's no point to going out, unless it's a really nice day and I can go for a relaxed ride.
I know that others have different targets, and whatever works for them is good.
If, for you, completing an Audax, or doing x number of miles keeps you motivated, this is the thing to concentrate on and it will maintain your focus.
I've just found this - 5 years on!
In 2012 someone passed onto me a message inviting previous riders to a 30 year anniversary race weekend in Belgium. It sounded attractive, so I set to trying to get fit enough to ride it. I knew it would be a long haul.
In 2013 I got fit enough to "get round" 50+ races (I'm an over 60, but little racing for just that age group)(on the right courses!). I rode the Belgian event and "got round" the time trial and road race (just)
In 2014 I did 4 weeks in Mallorca, rode quite a lot of racing, rode the anniversary edition of the race in Belgium and got into the money (50-65 group), and rode the Duo Normand.
In the course of this I have started riding smarter (power meter etc), using a Wattbike a lot, especially over the winter, and have lost nearly 5 stone.
In 2015 there will be 6 weeks in Mallorca, plans for Belgium and the Duo, and other UK and European events. I'm enjoying being able to ride more effectively again!
Like I said back in 2009 - it's about having an objective - for me at least! Without that initial interesting invitation to Belgium I doubt I'd have the motivation to try to get back to cycling as
I enjoy it.
So I guess it is about determining what it is about cycling that is key to your enjoyment, and then setting some SMART (management speak, but useful) objectives that will work for you AND be understood and supported by those around you.