I think one of the most underestimated aspects of riding a bike is the ability to have an adventure. Beginning at an early age I left the boundaries of my little world to see what else was out there.
The graveyard, the seedy side of downtown Huntsville, neighborhoods across several large, busy roads, . This didn't go over well with mom, but it was a thirst that could not be quenched.
MountainBiking was the ultimate bike/adventure experience though. With National Forest and BLM land wide open to mountain biking, the ability to go on an adventure by bike was never better. I started over-night mountain biking on trails that now forbid bikes.( I ain't saying which ones.) A small backpack was all the gear we'd take. A topo map would be our only guide. Those trips opened the possibility of multi-day trips by bike where paved roads where nowhere to be seen.
