Winner: Scotland
Scottish mountain-biking addict Euan Wilson and his fat-tire friends spent two years getting lost on sheep trails and other singletrack ribbons to map an epic new route. The 155-mile-long journey from Bonar Bridge to Apple颅cross鈥攈ome of the Applecross Inn, Scotland鈥檚 2012 pub of the year鈥攖raverses some of the country鈥檚 most rugged areas. (The only way to access the starting point for day two is by speedboat.) Wilson鈥檚 H&I 国产吃瓜黑料s will take you on a seven-day blast along the trail, popping into villages each evening for pints (from $1,777; ).
Runner-Up: Blue Ridge Mountains
The swath of 6,000-foot peaks in the Carolinas have winding roads, great food, and incredible views. In other words, it rivals anything overseas. Piece together your own trip by staying in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, at George Hincapie鈥檚 Hotel Domestique (from $295; hoteldomestique.com)鈥攁 European-style hotel with on-site bike service and GPS units programmed with Hincapie鈥檚 favorite area rides鈥攁nd pedal north through the mountains to Asheville, North Carolina, with a pit stop at the Thirsty Monk, or south to Greenville gastropub the Owl. Or join an outfitted trip with Backroads Tours and let them handle the logistics, from hotels to the shuttle vehicle (from $2,798; ).