In this episode of my bicycle tour across France, I continue cycling through the stunning Loire Valley from Orléans toward Tours, following sections of the Loire à Vélo and Chemin de St Jacques pilgrimage routes that will eventually lead me to the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
The broader plan is to cycle south through France, stop for a retreat at Plum Village Buddhist Monastery, and then continue on toward Santiago de Compostela by bike.
What was supposed to be a relatively gentle stretch of the journey became a bit more complicated after ongoing knee trouble from the previous episode. So while making my way through vineyards, châteaux, campsites, punctures, pilgrim stamps, and a substantial amount of internal debate, I eventually have to decide whether taking the train south from Tours is the smart ‘old lady’ option… or a terrible blow to my cycling ego.
This is part of my long-distance bicycle touring journey across France at nearly 60 years old, travelling solo with a loaded touring bike, camping gear, far too much digital paraphernalia – and occasionally questionable decision-making.
In this episode:
• Cycling the Loire Valley and Loire à Vélo
• Orléans to Tours by touring bike
• Preparing for the Pyrenees and Camino routes south
• Beautiful campsites and Loire scenery
• Flat tyres and bike touring logistics
• Pilgrim stamps and route planning
• Taking a French train with a loaded bicycle
• Trying to protect my knee before reaching the mountains
Thanks for following along on the journey.
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22 Comments
The bike is holding together. I am mostly holding together.
Make sure to let me know if you have any questions about infrastructure, cycling in Europe or whatever in the comments below😊!
Not only do we have the same bike and handlebars, we also use a trangia when cycle touring! Brilliant instalment and what a joy it was to see you in person in Oloron t'other day! I watched this video from the Col du Tourmalet! waves and sends mountain breezes ❤
If you have children grandchildren I bet they're proud and sometimes worried 😊
❤🙏😊. Thank you for taking us along on your journey. I'm trying to gear up to bicycle tour after over 40 years… I have been riding, but just not carrying camping gear. I have backpacking gear that I have been using, but with limited time away, cycle touring gives me more opportunities. You are an inspiration. Thank you again. Blessings.
Oh Jackie what luck eh two flats in two days 🤦♂️ and you keep positive about the journey 👍 I absolutely love the scenery and the beautiful buildings in the villages and towns you travel through. Glad your knee is starting to heal. Keep peddling my friend. Looking forward to your next one safe travels always….Kev c
I'm 73 and a moderate cyclist hoping to start bike packing. You are an inspiration for me. Thank you.
There’s something so inspiring about the way you navigate this journey,not just the miles, but the choices, the doubts, the tiny victories, and the unexpected detours that end up shaping the whole story. Watching you roll through vineyards, châteaux, and quiet riverside paths while wrestling with that stubborn knee felt like witnessing real resilience in motion. The honesty about weighing pride against wisdom made the whole episode beautifully human. And honestly, choosing the train isn’t an “old lady” move, it’s the kind of smart, grounded decision that keeps an adventure alive instead of cutting it short. Your spirit, humor, and heart shine through every scene, and it’s a joy to follow a journey that embraces both grit and grace.
Beautiful countryside! Always take care of the knees. I'm waiting to have both of mine replaced and I know it's because if being stubborn when I was younger. Really enjoying this series.
Familiar would be the flats, the anxiety around losing time, ego vs. common sense, but also solutioning and staying positive. Very impressed and enjoying this glimpse into your journey.
This is such an incredible journey that you’re on. I’m loving following you, as you cycle along the Loire, on your way to the train in Tours. I’ve just opened my Google map, to follow along and to see how to spell these places and things. Ha! I’ve dreamed of hiking over the Pyrenees, on my own Camino. You’re making me think that maybe I could actually do that, tricky back and all. All of the architecture there is just magnificent. Happy to see you aboard the train and headed on to the next destination! I’ve given you a little hype. Hopefully that will send a few new folks scurrying your way.
Sending tailwinds and healthy energy your way.
I just turned 62. Avid cyclist and dealing with post herpetic neuralgia (byproduct of shingles). I feel your pain! Im also amazed at your toughness…quite a wonderful job you are doing. I look forward to these episodes as you are also a wonderful story teller. Thank you again…I will he happily watching.
I detected a little limping so I think you made the right decision with the train. Such a big lifestyle change in the French towns and cities….so many bicycles and conveniences for them and their riders! Two flats and still smiling; love your attitude. Stay safe, healthy and happy. See you on the next one! 🇨🇦🐾👣
You are living my dream…keep going!!
Echoing all the great comments from the others on your attitude, and also loving the ancient architecture 👍🦘
I have also enjoyed a flat just as I left a campsite. Great fun hahaha
I am a 70-year-old cyclist, and I take glucosamine for my joints every day. I also wild harvest culinary and medicinal herbs from the bike trail as I ride along. For stinging nettles, I use common plantain weed leaves ripped in half and rubbed on the stings for instant relief. I ride in lower gears to reduce pressure on my knees and the bottom of my feet. The type of riding I do is called "rolling meditation" I think that's what you are doing too. Happy trails!
You might want to raise your saddle one or two centimeters, to change how your knee is affected when bending the leg – it will leave less strain on the ligaments. This is often enough to change the dynamics. Or you might need a shim between your cleat and shoe, if you are using clipless pedals and your ankles are at a slight angle – to counter the angle of your ankles. Any angle can be trasfered to the knee and cause pain in the knee. Or a sideways wedge inside your shoe, if you are not using clipless pedals. You can check, if you have any angle of your ankels, by sitting on your knees with your feet dangling over the side of a chair. Get someone to help looking for you. If the ball of your feet are not level with one another, then you need shims or wedges. Inward bend will usually cause pain on the outside of the knee. And outward bend will cause pain on the inside of your knee.
Love to see your sunny face as you navigate flats, ouchie knees and all the other challenges. So glad you have that comfy chair to lounge in! Onward ho! 🥰
Mantep 👍😂
I never unmount my wheel to repair the tube. I learned that from my moped. I'm just taking out the inner tube as much as possible. Then I inspect the inner tube. If there's nothing visible, I'll swell the inner tube hard to hear the air leak.
I haven't had a problem for 15 years. To the Schwalbe tyres I added a self-repairable tube "Michelin Protek"
It's the wound all these people sitting in the entrance, they're in the way of the entrances. The strapontins should be removed in the entrance.