26 new bikes! I bet you've really enjoyed your bikes
I think you have the right idea though.. Over hear I've seen a lot of mates move from enduro/technical terrain more towards casual trail rides/adventure riding. In many ways buying the bigger heavier tractor like bikes and keeping the workout less intense.
I guess the point I was making, is that for me a good enduro ride is about punting a 2T through the bush in a way that leaves me physically spent.. A great ride usually breaks me mentally at some point too, with the reward working past that. I guess once the peak passes and the downward slope commences we have to look at how we can get our fixes in other ways. Shorter days, easier terrain, smoother power.. or like you say, lighter bikes.