<The purpose of struggle is that it makes the reward seem like a taste Heaven? Because something relatively ordinary and boring — glass iced tea or water suddenly tastes far more amazing because you've literally "worked up thirst."< p>
Part of that is physical and psychological. Adding to your thirst, researchers writing for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found for every one percent of body mass you lose through sweat, your heart rate ticks up to three beats a minute faster, making it work more.
Perhaps it was a feeling of accomplishment, of overcoming a struggle or challenge? The ride was literally a challenge (but not too much of a challenge), so achieving something added to the pleasure.