Love Hate with the Bike

It seems to me the easiest fix is to get a trainer.  I have one safe road to ride on and that's it.  After my first year in triathlon I picked up a KK trainer and love it. I would say I do 95% of my training rides on my trainer.  It's prepared me for every distance up to two HIMs.  Plus, like you, I don't like to be away from my family on long rides.  I don't mind getting up early, getting a couple of hours in on the trainer before my family is even awake.  If money is an issue, look for a used one.  Mine is set up in my workout room. One tip, if you do go the trainer route, also get a good fan--you heat up pretty quick!

Do you have a bike trainer? I know it is not exciting but it would cut back on the time factor driving to and from and the time it takes gathering gear, together. You will still be at home so no guilt about leaving the family. My kids like to play in the basement while I'm on the trainer. Or I'll put the trainer out on the patio and ride while they play outside.

Besides my bikes the trainer is one of my all time best fitness purchases and totally worth every penny spent.

We think a like!!

i can make any indoor ride just as challenging as any of the climbs around me. 

Ha!  My thoughts exactly!

It's ironic, but I got into this sport to enjoy the outdoors more.

After starting off training all-outdoors, I'm now almost all-indoors mainly due to lack of time and quality of training. Go figure.

Bike logistics are def a pain when it involves a 20+ min drive to rideable areas. Biking indoors has got its own set of issues (boredom, motivation) though. Find a balance and make it work.

I ride indoors a lot now too, but what it's taking the place of are the more difficult times to ride outside. Like during the week or bad weather. So I'm actually enjoying the outdoor rides more as they're under better conditions. Also, I'm actually riding a lot more overall now so the actual outdoor riding may not have dropped off all that much. The percent of my riding being outdoors has gone down. With the improved ability now I have more options on what I can do outside. Can more easily take on longer and more difficult rides so the riding I do get outside is even more fun!

No idea where you live or the biking situation near you, but there may be alternatives to driving 25 minutes to find a place to ride. I assume traffic is your main concern?

My advise would be to find an LBS or cycling group that hosts group rides in your area. Cycling in a group can make riding on busier roads a lot safer. I as well sometimes feel vulnerable when out on some roads by myself. However in a group of 10-20 people it is not much of an issue. Before I get jumped on... yes, we are respectful of drivers and ride single file most of the time, we are just much more noticeable to distracted drivers and they use more caution when passing us.

Might be worth a look at group riding. Group riding also provides a nice challenge provided there are riders who are better than you in the group. 

^^ one of the many reasons I hate the trainer. Boring, soul sucking, and uncomfortable.

If you are going to switch to indoor you may want to try rollers instead of a trainer. More of a challenge, closer to road feel and requires some brain engagement. Rollers and a sufferfest dvd might make it bearable. 

Is it possible to ride to safer area to ride? Have you searched for routes that may work via Strava and other route sites?

Driving to ride makes riding even more of a time suck.

Riding the trainer takes some mental toughness and time to develop the skill. Also any minor issues with bike fit come out since you more static position and have no side to side movement that we have when we ride outside. To me riding on trainer is almost like a different sport than riding outside.