I am trying to plan a trip with my adult son and daughter to France the second week in July. We will have a rental car and plan to spend a few (3?) days in the Loire Valley. We would like to do some biking and I have looked at the websites listed in Rick's book but they are confusing to me and don't answer my questions. We just want to rent bikes for a day or two and bike from wherever we end up staying. He suggests Chinon or Amboise. We don't want a guided tour as we prefer to just go on our own. If anyone has experience doing this I would love some comments.
Posted by
Honolulu, HI, USA
408 posts
In 2008 we stayed at a B&B in the Loire Valley (Saint-Dye-sur-Loire). The owners of the B&B offered us the use of their bikes. We did not bike but did walk the path it certainly looked like a reasonable place to cycle. They were wonderful hosts ... we have great memories of that stay.
Oh, yes, and I believe that there is a cycle rental place in the town as well.
Also, we bought the book "Cycling the River Loire: The Way of Saint Martin." It was a fun read, if just to get a pre-trip sense of the Loire Valley. (You can find it on Amazon.)
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Years ago we rented bikes at a place near the train station in Amboise.
The bikes were it terrible shape and we had to turn around and limp back!
So I would locate good machines, or a reliable shop, before you go.