I have used Reddit so much for info on bicycle touring and cycling in general that I wanted to give back a little to the community. I am quite new to bicycle touring/
I have done a few one or two week bicycle tours by myself but wanted to introduce my girlfriend to this fun mode of travel so we decided on the Loire Valley. Who wouldn’t like baguettes and castles ?
The route was Blois > Amboise > Tours > Azay le Rideau > Saumur > Angers > Ancenis > Nantes ? Blois
Here are some tips/thoughts/highlights:
– I brought my trusty folding Bike Friday and my girlfriend rented from Detours De Loire (amazing service, pick up in Blois and drop off in Nantes).
– We average a very manageable 40-60km per day and that allowed for lots of time for sightseeing.
– We took the train back to Blois from Nantes and there was lots of room on the train for my bike.
– Even though it was low season, we still saw lots and lots of bike tourists. I think the route would be almost a little too busy during the summer months.
– We stayed in hotels or Airbnb’s along the way and they were all super bike friendly.
– Chateau de Chombard was beautiful.
– Chateau Chenonceau was worth a 40km detour. It was surreal to bike there, rent a kayak, and then kayak underneath it.
– The gardens at Chateau Villandry was amazing eye candy.
– Riding through the caves in Souzay Champigny
– Wine tasting around Saumur. Delicious and cheap.
If you have any questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.
JeremyWheels on
Looks like a great trip! I was thinking of this route next year to introduce my wife to multi day cycling as well. I’d bookmarked detours de Loire to possibly rent from so helpful to hear some good feedback.
Edit: I saw in one of your other posts that you’ve done Passau to Bratislava too, I was also considering that for me & the wife. Any thoughts on which might be more suited to a first time multi day cyclist (who doesn’t cycle all that much at home)?
2 Comments
I have used Reddit so much for info on bicycle touring and cycling in general that I wanted to give back a little to the community. I am quite new to bicycle touring/
I have done a few one or two week bicycle tours by myself but wanted to introduce my girlfriend to this fun mode of travel so we decided on the Loire Valley. Who wouldn’t like baguettes and castles ?
The route was Blois > Amboise > Tours > Azay le Rideau > Saumur > Angers > Ancenis > Nantes ? Blois
Here are some tips/thoughts/highlights:
– I brought my trusty folding Bike Friday and my girlfriend rented from Detours De Loire (amazing service, pick up in Blois and drop off in Nantes).
– We average a very manageable 40-60km per day and that allowed for lots of time for sightseeing.
– We took the train back to Blois from Nantes and there was lots of room on the train for my bike.
– Even though it was low season, we still saw lots and lots of bike tourists. I think the route would be almost a little too busy during the summer months.
– We stayed in hotels or Airbnb’s along the way and they were all super bike friendly.
– Chateau de Chombard was beautiful.
– Chateau Chenonceau was worth a 40km detour. It was surreal to bike there, rent a kayak, and then kayak underneath it.
– The gardens at Chateau Villandry was amazing eye candy.
– Riding through the caves in Souzay Champigny
– Wine tasting around Saumur. Delicious and cheap.
If you have any questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.
Looks like a great trip! I was thinking of this route next year to introduce my wife to multi day cycling as well. I’d bookmarked detours de Loire to possibly rent from so helpful to hear some good feedback.
Edit: I saw in one of your other posts that you’ve done Passau to Bratislava too, I was also considering that for me & the wife. Any thoughts on which might be more suited to a first time multi day cyclist (who doesn’t cycle all that much at home)?