Pedal through the picturesque Loire

A challenging 92km ride. Lots of climbs with steady gradients. The start of the ride is easy enough for around 20km mainly following the river to Tours.

Then the climbs start. Only short but one after another. Through vineyards and small villages. One noticeable thing was the lack of places to stop for a coffee. It wasn’t until we reached the town of Amboise that we could get a drink and some food in the way of chocolate and cream waffles.

On the return ride we went slightly off course. While it actually saved us some distance the climbs were steeper until we reached the cycleway which took us into the city of Tours.

Negotiating Tours is a struggle. A long busy ride across the city. Not much signage around but we eventually found the velo route home.

Amboise is gorgeous. We will be visiting again next year for a proper look around. Maybe driving past Tours then hopping on the bikes for a shorter ride

Route 7/10

Views 9/10

Cafe stops 5/10

Flat ride using two bridges to cross the Loire. This ride covers 64 km on fast almost traffic free roads and Velo routes passing small villages with great views of the river. Café stops in Brehemont and Langeais were welcome on a very warm day. The roads are smooth and fast offering the chance to keep a good pace without much effort. 

Langeais has one of the most impressive chateaux's in the Loire and has plenty of places to obtain food and drink mid point of the ride.

The return leg of the trip is again on lovely roads but headwinds can make this part of the trip a slog as the terrain is so open.

It is worth considering that 300 meters from this road there is a gravel cycle route running parallel to the main road that also brings you back to Brehemont. made of smooth laid gravel which passes through fields and woods. We have used these many times and on a hot day it offers lots of shade from the glaring sun. 

Route 7/10

Views 7/10

Cafe stops 8/10

Enjoyable 41km ride on quiet lanes through small hamlets. Azay is a lovely town full of coffee shops and medieval buildings. Ideal for a stop off for a drink and to soak up the atmosphere.

The route on this ride I would consider ‘rolling’ as being away from the Loire there are quite a few lumps and bumps en route with nothing too stressful to climb. Leaving Azay and riding back towards the Loire at Langeais you pass field of grape vines and apple orchards on a very fast road which like all other roads is almost car free. When you do meet a car they are courteous to cyclists and always leave plenty of space. 

Route 10/10

Views 10/10

Cafe stops 9/10