August 15-23, 2009 My very first extended bike trip on my own! Nine days cycling through the countryside of the Loire Valley, visiting chateaux and enjoying the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of rural France. Instead of a linear tour, … Read More
Day 1: 15.08.2009, Saturday Route: Augsburg – Paris – Blois Distance: 9,14 km Elapsed Ride Time: 1 hr. Just getting on to the TGV was an adventure. The entry was wide enough for a fully-loaded bike, but the bike places … Read More
Day 2: Sunday, 16.08.2009 Breakfast was very French—a croissant, a piece of baguette and café au lait. I wasn’t quite sure that it would be enough sustenance to get me though the morning, but I did just fine. Route: Blois … Read More
Day 3: Monday, 17.08.2009 Route: Blois – Beauregard – Cheverny– wine tasting-Blois Distance: 65,12 km Elapsed Ride Time: 4 hrs. 23 min. The day started out a bit cooler—I could have worn my over-the-knee pants and a shirt with sleeves … Read More
Day 4: Tuesday, 18.08.2009 Route: Blois – Chaumont – Amboise – Blois Distance: 53,17 km Elapsed Ride Time: 3 hrs. 32 min. What a tiring day! I got on the road at about 9:30, about an hour later than usual, … Read More
The morning was spent exploring Blois. I visited the cathedral and a really mediocre organist was practicing. One can only hope he/she was sight-reading. The cathedral is 17th century gothic – OK but not on my top 10 list as cathedrals go. Its gardens are small and charming–I really enjoyed cooling my feet in the stair-step fountain. (It was already 90 degrees at 11am.)… Read More
Day 6: Thursday, 20.08.2009 Route: Tours – Villandry – Tours Distance: 54,60 km Elapsed Ride Time: 3 hrs. 45 min. I got on the road at about 9, after partaking of the rather large breakfast buffet. Actually, I partook rather … Read More
Day 7: Friday, 21.08.2009 Route: Tours – Saumur – Chinon – Tours Distance: 65,93 km Elapsed Ride Time: 4 hrs. 51 min. What a day – somewhere between heaven and hell! My knee was really hurting—riding on the flat was … Read More
Day 8: Sunday, 22.08.2009 Route: Tours – Langeais – Azay le rideau – Langeais – Tours Distance: 47,12 km Elapsed Ride Time: 3 hrs. 30 min. The week has definitely taken its toll on my body. I took it very … Read More
Day 9: Sunday, 23.08.2009 Route: Tours – Paris – Augsburg Distance: 18,40 km Elapsed Ride Time: 1 hr. 20 min. Before catching the train to Paris, I had time for one last visit to the market (the French are so … Read More