Full Description
The River Loire invites cyclists to explore it. There is no stifling cycle way artificially created along the river's banks - the route is instead accompanied by an abundance of country lanes, tempting cyclists to find those hidden gems which make this journey an unending pleasure. The route has something for everyone. It includes dramatic vistas from high above the Ardeche Gorge, lazy days of flat riding through fields of indolent cattle, the chance to explore vineyards producing some or the world's finest vintages and the great collection of castles and palaces which line the river's banks. Accommodation is plentiful whether you prefer the cheapest gites d'etape, the friendly chambres d'hotes, or the comfortable hotels. Wherever cyclists stay, they will be welcomed warmly one and their needs will be well catered for. This book, divided into twenty-three comfortable stages, includes a dramatic approach to the source of the River Loire at Le Gerbier de Jonc, a route alongside the whole of the river and suggestions of how to return to the U.K. It also includes enough advice and information to make this journey a truly memorable one.
Contents
Stage 1 Orange to Chateauneuf du Pape 28km Stage 2 Chateauneuf du Pape to St. Martin d'Ardeche 54kmStage 3 St. Martin d'Ardeche to Les Mazes 44km Stage 4 Les Mazes to Vals les Bains 44kmStage 5 Vals les Bains to Le Gerbier de Jonc 39km Stage 6 Le Gerbier de Jonc to Goudet 54km Stage 7 Goudet to Le Puy en Velay 33km Stage 8 Le Puy en Velay to Le Pertuiset 79km Stage 9 Le Pertuiset to Neulise 77km Stage 10 Neulise to Marcigny 74km Stage 11 Marcigny to Gannay sur Loire 82km Stage 12 Gannay sur Loire to Nevers 57km Stage 13 Nevers to Sancerre 67km Stage 14 Sancerre to Briare le Canal 50km Stage 15 Briare le Canal to St. Benoit sur Loire 51kmStage 16 St. Benoit sur Loire to St. Ay sur Loire 59km Stage 17 St. Ay sur Loire to Blois 65km Stage 18 Blois to Montlouis sur Loire 68km Stage 19 Montlouis sur Loire to Montsoreau 86km Stage 20 Montsoreau to Angers 71km Stage 21 Angers to Drain 78km Stage 22 Drain to Savenay 81km Stage 23 Savenay to St. Nazaire 30km
