Crossing France (Part 1/2) – Solo Cycling And Wild Camping The Loire – BIKEPACKING ADVENTURE

One week in September 2022 I flew to Paris, got the train to Dijon in the east of France and began cycling. My destination was Nantes on the west coast, but the journey is what really matters.

I spent the first two days crossing the magnificent Jura Mountains before intersecting the Loire. For the next five days I cycled the EuroVelo 6 Loire á Velo. I camped by the Loire at night, swam in it during the day, and ate and ate and ate. It was an incredible experience that really helped me focus on going slow and jumping at the opportunities that adventure brings.

Spending a full five days beside one of Europe’s greatest rivers allowed me to reflect on how every aspect of our culture, society, and history is shaped by the geography around us. The wealth of all of the above along the Loire is the perfect of example of how rivers breed life and facilitate the trade of ideas, money, and war. The Loire has been the scene for many of Europe’s biggest moments and it was a joy to take in her splendour

00:00 – Intro
00:21 – Welcome
01:16 – Day 1 – Dijon to ??
02:26 – Day 2 – ?? to Nevers
04:56 – Day 3 – Nevers to Gien
12:53 – Day 4 – Gien to Blois