Motivation is the key but you have to be careful that the motivational hooks you've chosen are sustainable. In my experience, relying on improving Strava stats is not sustainable - you have to look beyond that to the realisation that cycling makes you a better person because you are happier, healthier and more emotionally stable when you ride regularly (speaking for myself here). I'm a better husband and father when I cycle regularly due to the mental benefits cycling provides to me. I'm also physically healthier which is important to me. I always keep this at the back of my mind as the "real" motivation for cycling. I've also made cycling as routine as brushing my teeth. I do 2 group rides mid-week (6am), one hill session at lunch with some work mates and 1-2 weekend mountain bike ride at my local trails. I look forward to every one of those rides but for different reasons. I still check my Strava times but no longer hang-off them as "the reason" to do the next ride. At 48 I'm not going to be getting much faster but my times are still improving, mainly due to moving up to faster groups in the bunch rides and including the 800m of hill reps at lunch - which is just a bonus as I know they'll eventually get slower again as I move into my 50's. I look forward to this.