Why?

"Why?" has got to be one of the simplest complex questions one can ask.
As the 'rainy season' here in SoCal threatens to rear its ugly face, I decided my well tuned and well maintained Surly Pacer would be spared from messy road rides through mud puddles and flowing grit. The best solution seemed to be a fixie so I slapped together a bit of a Frankenbike - a Surly 1x1 frame with 700c wheels, a front disc brake and drop bars. Over time it transformed from road tires to 700X45 semi-slicks and a 46X16 drivetrain to a 38X18 drivetrain, no longer suited for road riding but great for exploring local fire access roads. Thrilled at the creation we ventured out for a 50 mile ride with roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain (& loss) - which wouldn't be so bad if 2,500 feet of that climbing didn't all come within a 7 mile stretch. A great ride it was. Then came the next day. Stumbling from bed my legs reminded me how long it had been since i rode fixed gear. Nevertheless I felt accomplished.
Hobbling around the office with more sore legs, I shared of the experience with a co-worker who rides and who could appreciate the effort that goes into such a fixed gear ride. Instead, he uttered one word... "Why?"
Really, what could I say? Coasting sucks? I like the threat of getting tossed over the bars or having the legs shredded by the spinning pedals?