Quote Originally Posted by MomOnBike View Post
I see a road going off over a hill and wonder where it goes. So I put foot to pedal and find out. I have discovered some wonderful routes, places, shortcuts, eateries, and fun doing that.
Me too! True, I sometimes get myself into some sticky situations (e.g. going down hills I have to walk back up), but it's always an adventure. I often feel safer on a bike than I would in a car in some of the... less savory neighborhoods near my house.

That being said, I'm less likely to be willing to deviate from a plan on rural roads (if I've never taken them before), because I'm such a city person at heart; I always feel isolated in a scary way.