Has anyone planned a cycling trip in the Loire Valley on their own? I'm looking for a guidebook that would enable me to do that...one with information on bike rentals, the biking trails, hotels along the way, etc. I have considered a self-guided tour through a company, but it seems like that would cost a LOT more than planning and executing on my own, and all a self-guided tour seems to offer that I couldn't do on my own is luggage transfers while cycling from place to place (I'd like to limit to 2 hotels; 3 at the most). I'm only planning to do 4-5 nights there, so I'd probably concentrate on Amboise-Blois or Tours-Blois or whatever I determine I would realistically be able to see in that amount of time. Thanks!
Posted by
Granite Bay, CA
111 posts
Hi Jen -
I haven't planned my own, but I have done a self-guided ride through the Loire that took in both vineyards and castles. Most of the rides were along the river valleys (Indre, Lpire) and were quite easy. I suggest you visit www.discoverfrance.com to get some ideas on planning your own. If youre looking for a fabulous hotel to stay in, I'd highly recommend Chateau d'Artigny in Montbazon. From there you could do day rides to Blois, Tours, Montlouis.
Posted by
Provo, UT
175 posts
This isn't a direct answer to your question, but I hope it's helpful. I haven't done a cycling trip, but am researching it. One thing the company that I am looking into offers is back-up: if you have a problem with the bike, if something breaks, if whatever, they come out and fix it. I'm not much of a cyclist, and probably couldn't make repairs beyond fixing a flat, so that is of great value to me. I think the insurance of having someone to "rescue" you is a great valuenothing could ruin a cycling vacation faster than having a broken bike miles and miles away from a bike shop that could fix it for you (in my uneducated opinion). With that said, if you are an avid cyclist and are confident in your repair skills, forget about what I just said. :-) Hope that helps; cycling through the Loire sounds great!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
First of all, Lonely planet has a book about cycling in France that was useful to me planning an itinerary in Burgundy a few years ago. I'd check it out. The IGN topo maps also make great planning aids. Second, my experience is that that "self-guided" describes a continuum, a menu from which you can choose. In my case I just chose rental (as we did not want to fly our bikes to France and back) and declined the other services (such as hotel reservations or porting your bags about). We avoided the need for luggage transfer by leaving our non-cycling bags at a hotel in Auxerre. One advantage to renting is that you get the benefit of local advice in itinerary planning. You also do not have to wrangle your bike through the airports. The disadvantage is that you must find a company that will rent you good-quality machines. Take this seriously because you do not want just any old bike. I can't help you with that but should think there are good options in the Loire. You can probably find them online. One last thing about renting a bicycle in France. It's hard to find what we call a road bike to rent there (drop handlebar etc.). The standard bicycle is called a VTT, sort of a souped-up hybrid. That worried me because I ride a road bike here. However my experience was that these bikes were entirely appropriate, though if you plan to ride more than 45 or 50 miles per day perhaps not. Have a really great time! Your plan sounds wonderful.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, US
96 posts
Jen, My wife and I cycled in the Loire two years ago on our own. We rented bikes for three days, and simply bought one of the many cycling maps available at the local bookstore ( we stayed in Amboise ). Each of our trips began and ended in Amboise, so we didn't go quite as far as we would have liked to, but each one was extremely enjoyable. We also rented bikes in town ( there's two rental places there ). It's really easy to cycle in that area. In fact, the plan is to return to Amboise next year for several days and cycle to some areas that we didn't make it to the last time. Don't be afraid to do the trip on your own, and have fun!
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2470 posts
check out the journals at www.crazyguyonabike.com. Train stations rent bikes, but I think you can get a better one if you can rent from a bike shop. Get a Michelin 1:200,000 map and stick to the white or yellow roads and you will have a great time. Last time I spent time in Onzain (opposite Chaumont, between Amboise and Blois) and stayed at the Chateau Des Tertres, a nice, but reasonably price hotel. Also stayed in Azay-le-rideau. From Onzain we rode as far as Chambord - about 55 miles round trip - and also made shorter trips to Chenonceau and Amboise. We visited Tours by train and didn't like it. A friend went last summer and also was unimpressed. Amboise and Blois are bigger than Onzain so there are more places to eat and see in town, but we liked the small town atmosphere.