As already mentioned by jazloc, I appreciate the freedom it brings. I particularly like the freedom of cycling when I'm on holiday in a foreign country, be it using the mtb in the forests in Thailand or a road ride in the beautiful Italian campagna, I can choose to ride wherever it takes my fancy. I like nothing better than seeing a track and thinking to myself, "I wonder where that goes?", then just riding it. I've come across all sorts of sights and experiences, and met some very nice people while doing that.
GC