Charlie

Dîner in Dijon

After a wonderful afternoon in Dijon, we followed the recommendation from the guy in the gift shop and went to a restaurant just opposite the church of Notre Dame.

Cocktail Crazy!

I'm waiting for my train

We got to the station in plenty of time in order to try and figure out how to get our bikes to the platform properly. When we arrived on Saturday we just used the lifts, but apparently you're not allowed to. However, the platform for our train was

Our final evening in Nantes

Before heading for the station…

Getting ready for the off

Today we start our journey home. We've got a long train journey to Nevers and have to hope that we bought the right tickets and manage the changes. Then it will be time to mount the bike carrier on the car… but we'll cross that particular

Taken at the flood

Much improved weather yesterday allowed us to appreciate the tidal aspects - the coast is only 50 km away - of Loire in Nantes. We kept sightseeing to a minimum, with yet another cathedral closed for building works. But we did manage to stop at the beautifully decorated La Cigale

The Tour's Key Metrics

Apart from cycling to station in Nantes tomorrow, and from the station in Nevers, the cycling is over. A little over 500 km in total. Certainly too ambitious at the start, but I think we were all getting into our stride towards the end of the tour. The weather wasn&

Statement from the management

Here follows a statement from the management of Clark's Creative Cycling Travels. It has been brought to our attention that there have been some complaints about the information about the length of individual stages. We would like to remind customers that the contract is extremely clear in this

Today's Key Metrics

Today wasn't really about distance or time but about cycling along the Loire together for the last time. We decided to aim for Montjean and take the train from station on the other side. We waited for a brief shower to pass and set off with the cloud

Au revoir à Angers

Angers was certainly the most relaxed city we've visited. And given an uncertain weather forecast and condition of our lodgings in Ancenis, we thought about staying here another night. This morning however the weather looked much improved and we decided to head for Nantes at the coast, skipping

Womantrap!

They're powerless and there's nothing you can do to stop them😱

Good Morning Angers!

Blue sky and sunshine on the way back from the bakers.

Today's Key Metrics

We all made it safely to Angers!

St Mathurin under the weather

The weather has become more changeable over that last few days. And, as the landscape of the Loire changes, as it broadens and flattens, the skies also become bigger.

The shortest day

Today we're in the unusual position that it's a short stage and we're not allowed to arrive too early. We've all enjoyed a longer sleep and a slower start to the day, but now it's time to get ready.

Yesterday's key metrics

Forgot to take a picture, but we covered 50.5 km and had plenty of time for stops. We avoided most of the climbs on the way to Saumur - with us all feeling the weight of our luggage - and just had to contend with a couple as we

Supper in Saint Mathurin

Saumur Castle

And who was hardy (or maybe foolhardy?) enough to climb up to have a look? Muggins, of course!

Lunch in Saumur

Right at the base of the castle there is a little picnic area specially for cyclists.

The caves of Montsoureau

Where the Vienne meets the Loire

Today's Key Metrics

Flat and little wind and plenty of opportunities for sightseeing.

Our last view of the Loire today

Here, where the river Indre flows into the Loire, the route takes us away from the river. We've spent a magical half-an-hour cycling through a coppiced wood with the sunlight dappling through the leaves. Not far now, just a quick stop at the supermarket, so that we have

Help! I think we're lost!

Bréhémont

A brief stop for lunch just above the Loire. The local shop is also, a café, bike rental and, apparently, a museum! And nearly everyone here is from Germany! Campers from Düsseldorf and Itzehoe and cyclists as well! 😳