Anjou Vélo Vintage: 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Go

Europe’s biggest vintage bike ride, and most English speakers have never heard of it. Anjou Vélo Vintage ( @AnjouVeloVintageSaumur ) takes over Saumur, on the Loire, every last weekend of June. Pre-1987 bikes only, period dress, no climbs and no clock. It’s the gentlest, most enjoyable way into cycling in France I know. Here are the 5 things worth knowing before you go.

What’s in it:

Why a modern carbon bike gets you turned away at the start line
The bike and dress rules, and how seriously the French take them
Why it is nothing like the Etape du Tour or La Marmotte
What the day actually feels like, including a vineyard descent on 1930s brakes
Why it sells out fast, and how to land both a place and a bed

Useful links:
Free France cycling starter PDF. Leave a comment then visit:
[https://morethan21bends.com/10-cycling-mistakes-france]

Cycling in France You need to know these things……

More videos on cycling in La Loire: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPPfQPwC5Ty7AIOfH-r5493vDE3JJJVc1]

Anjou Velo Vintage 2025 (https://youtu.be/EjZgRhXLScg)
Anjou Velo Vintage 2026 (Coming Soon)

Official event site, entries and rules: https://www.anjou-velo-vintage.com/en/

Quick facts:
Where: Saumur, Loire Valley, France
When: last weekend of June
Bikes: built before 1987, gear levers on the frame, no clipless pedals, no e-bikes
Routes: 30 to 65km, flat
Entry: from 52 euros, country lunch and feed stops included

What’s the best French event you’ve ever ridden, and where? Tell me in the comments. I read them all.

#cycling #AnjouVeloVintage #cyclinginfrance #vintagecycling #Saumur #LoireValley

Honest picks — I actually own and use all of these. These are affiliate links, so I get a small commission if you buy through them (at no extra cost to you). It helps keep the channel going.
Camera — Insta360 Ace Pro 2
My main camera for cycling videos. 8K, flips up for vlogging, sharp in low light. Replaced my old action cam and I haven’t looked back.
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360° camera — Insta360 X-series
For the wide shots and the moving footage where you want to reframe later. Worth it if you’re filming rides solo.
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Microphone — Hollyland Lark A1
Clip-on wireless mic. Clean audio even in wind. Single biggest upgrade to video quality I’ve made — a good mic matters more than a better camera.
https://amzn.to/3ZJ3oUf
Bike computer — iGPSPORT
What I use for route recording and navigation. Solid alternative to Garmin at half the price.
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Tripod
Large, stable, survives being left out in the Alps.
https://amzn.to/4aCpcGd

Website : https://www.morethan21bends.com
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