Upon hearing about a region bedazzled with mountains, deep forests, Medieval castles, storks and over 40 varieties of pate most would guess it's the magical setting of a new Lord of the Ring's film in which a wood-elf, with sophisticated tastes, has a baby. But to us, it simply means Alsace--one of our favorite biking regions!

German? French? Alsace is like visiting two countries at once. Fortunately though, for everyone's sake, you won't see locals wearing berets with lederhosen but instead some of the most picturesque scenery in all of Europe. The city of Strasbourg, with its cobblestone streets, half-timbered homes and Gothic architecture glows with such ancient perfection it almost looks movie-set fake. Equally as impressive, but on a smaller scale, is the city of Colmar. More Old World than New, it's the perfect stopping ground for testing the region's most championed wines--Riesling and Gewurztraminer--while also inquiring about the area's fascination with storks, seemingly symbolyzed on every building.

The Vosges Mountains, France's last great pristine wilderness, also add to Alsace's wow status. Staggering views of glacier-cleaved valleys ornamented with Medieval castles are the norm rather than the exception.

But nothing captures the true essence of Alsace more than "La Route du Vin." This famed thoroughfare hugs the Vosges foothills while winding through an endless string of impossibly idyllic wine villages for 112 miles.