We are a group of five friends who decided to embark on a cycle tour for the first time. Once the challenge was set, we needed to find a destination. There were a number of constraints. This meant towing a heavily laden trailer! We then took a pretty ferry the Chevalerie ferry over the Authion with no trouble. The first day went well, alternating between lanes and cycle paths without meeting many people.
We found supplies for a picnic quite easily given that it was a Sunday and arrived in Saumur , where we had booked a lovely hotel in advance, in the late afternoon. A picturesque route out of Saumur through troglodyte villages. Th e route took us along hilly little roads and we made slow progress. We visited the abbey i n Fontevraud , where you can see the recumbent statues of Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine.
We set off again and finished this long stage in Azay -le-Rideau , where we had booked a night in a yurt at a horse β riding centre. After an excellent night in a yurt surrounded by horses, we set off for Amboise. The journey was beautiful. We passed Tours without stopping and arrived in Amboise in the afternoon. We passed through many winemaking estates and the scenery changed quickly. It was a very pretty s tretch. We stopped at Domaine des Pierrettes for a tour of the wine cellar and a tasting.
The re was a very friendly welcome and the visit was interesting. This short break was unanimously approved! We arrived in Blois in the late afternoon and had time to visit the city. We had booked two nights in Blois and, for the last day, we decided to do a loop via Chambord. For the return journey, we decided to ride along the Loire.
We rounded off the adventure with a pleasant final night in Blois before catching the train back to Angers. The journey went well despite all our luggage bikes, trailers, dogs, etc.
