This excellent video says it all. Different countries, difficult terrain, mountains, snow, floods, people, vehicles, challenges, risk-taking, falls...and the joy of riding so many roads.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85VErvTqgWc
He andado muchos caminos,
he abierto muchas veredas;
he navegado en cien mares,
y atracado en cien riberas.
he abierto muchas veredas;
he navegado en cien mares,
y atracado en cien riberas.
I have found many paths;
I have sailed a hundred seas,
and landed on a hundred shores.
Antonio Machado