Though motorcyclists and ricksha wallahs may disagree, there's simply no better way to take in the sensations of a place than by bicycle. Here are our picks for the 10 best places on Earth to do just that.

1. Route 100, Vermont, U.S.A.
Perhaps they should follow your progress in the Saturday Evening Post because biking the length of this 165-mile route from Massachusetts to the Canadian border is like cycling through a Norman Rockwell illustration. Lush forested hills sprawl all around, while quaint New England towns, complete with white steepled churches, are conveniently spaced every 10 miles or so. Make sure to stop at the Ben and Jerry's factory in Waterbury for a cone--a well-deserved treat amidst the steep climbs of the aptly named Green Mountain State.

2. Vaucluse, France.
Everything you want in a French cycling trip all in a corner of Provence that lives up to its lofty reputation. Flat roads through vineyards abound, but there's also more diverse topography, like Alpine foothills and the mighty Mont Ventoux, a 6,200-foot volcanic cone that's been included in stages of the Tour de France. Don't miss the fields of lavender, melons, and strawberries, or the Theatre Antique d' Orange, one of the best preserved of all Roman ruins.

3. Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.
Just in case the fabled beauty of Maui wasn't already beckoning, know that it's also home to some of the nation’s most spectacular cycling. A local favorite is the 60-mile run that hugs the coastline on the island’s west end--keep on eye out for whales, which can often be seen from shore. Or, if you really want to earn a few slothlike days on the beach, try pedaling the 37 miles to the 10,000-plus-foot summit of Mount Haleakala, the dormant volcano that dominates the island.

4. Isle of Wight, England.
This island off the south coast of England offers unparalleled diversity: One moment you're riding along white chalk cliffs tasting salty ocean breezes; five minutes later you're grinding up a steep wall through a sheep pasture infused with the scent of wild garlic. Buy a map of the island to avoid the busy main roads--stay on the obscure paved lanes (no wider than an Austin Mini) that crisscross the island, the reason you’re there in the first place.

5. Peak-to-Peak Highway, Colorado, U.S.A.
There's no better stretch of road for cyclists to experience the Rocky Mountains in all their glory. Start in Nederland, 40 miles northeast of Denver, and travel north 50 miles to Estes Park. Just don't wander off the pavement as you gawk at the snow-capped peaks of the Continental Divide, some 10 miles to the west. Of course, you'll feel the Rockies as well--the road climbs and descends several thousand feet as it follows the contour of the foothills.

6. Nova Scotia, Canada.
This Canadian maritime province is ideal for the leisurely cycling tour. Its flat coastal roads make for easy pedaling, and the many rustic fishing villages, lighthouses, and white sand beaches give you plenty of reasons to stop along the way. Should you want a break from riding in the sea breeze, head inland on the quiet farm roads that meander through plentiful apple orchards.

7. Barolo, Italy.
Tucked into northwest Italy, Barolo is a wine-producing region of green hills and vineyards blanketed by an endless web of tiny back roads--peaceful routes with almost no traffic and moderate climbs of a few hundred feet--all in a country where cycling is a first-tier sport. And it may be the best place on Earth to fuel up for a long ride: Barolo's gastronomic delights create a virtual food and wine theme park, including what are said to be the world's top truffles.

8. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia, U.S.A.
This 470-mile route runs down the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains, linking Great Smoky Mountain and Shenandoah National Parks. The Parkway gains and loses nearly 6,000 feet in elevation, serving up countless granny-gear climbs, but also impressive views of the southern Appalachians--or "balds" and "knobs," in local parlance. Tip: Avoid the heavy traffic of the October leaf-peeper season.

9. South Island, New Zealand.
The west coast of the sparsely populated South Island is where to ride if you want to get away from it all--that is, except for some of the most breathtaking views the planet has to offer. The entire 300-mile stretch from Westport to Haast is home to but a few scant towns, which means no traffic and plenty of solitude (save a few million grazing sheep) in which to soak up vistas of towering 12,349-foot Mount Cook.

10. San Juan Islands, Washington, U.S.A.
Looking for a two-wheel outing without big mileage and big climbs, but with just as much scenic splendor as those classic mountain routes? Look no further than the San Juans, just 60 miles northwest of Seattle. Each of the three main islands--Lopez, San Juan, and Orcas--can easily be cycled in a day. Unless, of course, you get diverted by the wild blackberries begging to be picked, seals frolicking in the kelp beds just offshore, views of the distant Cascades...you get the idea.

Alan Cote is bike obsessed. Aside from being a competitive cyclist, he is a regular contributor to a number of national cycling publications, as well as Outside magazine.