Day 29 - Amboise - Da Vinci

Today we were more tourists and less cyclists.

We had a good little ride to Tours, crossed a cool bike and pedestrian only bridge, and stopped to see the magnificent buildings and Cathedral, and a second breakfast 😁 at a cafe across from the Opera House. 

Good start!

And then we went back to bike touring for the next 30 kms to Amboise. 

We got here early enough to set up the tent in the blazing sun (strategically placed for evening shade), unload the panniers and take our light weight bikes for a spin around Amboise. 

The real tourist event was a tour of Leonardo Da Vinci's place here. He spent the last few years of his life here, as a gust of Francois I. It was fascinating. So well done. You forget how smart a man he was. So much more than just an artist, and yet also an incredible artist. 

The gardens are beautiful to walk around with replicas of his invented bridges, water wheels and other mechanical devices all around the grounds. 

The house is beautiful from a distance and close up. 

The walking tour of the house shows the rooms and some interesting (very) old stuff. 

And then a full floor dedicated to his amazing drawings and math and inventions - tools, bridges, machines, boats, so amazingly smart. So much to thank him for! 

It was very interesting and we really enjoyed the change in mindset. Thanks P-M for the recommendation. 

Camping tonight on L'ile D'Or at the Municipal Campground. Very big. Very nice. Looking across the river at the old town. 

I had a bit of phone trouble today so my Strava is not quite right. Yikes, if it not on Strava, did it really happen? Good thing I have photos!!

Stay well everyone!

Tomorrow is June! 

Thanks for your comments, and your names ☺️

Day 28 - Castles and climbs

Last night's camping was fun, we made some cycling friends and slept well to the symphony of birds and frogs. Our breakfast companions told us we were in for a beautiful ride. 

Our route took us through Turquant and we started to see the "valley" part of the Loire Valley - we actually had a little climbing to do, and the hill sides make for houses cut right into the rock. 

We got some nice views.  But we really did have to climb!

The uphill was tough, but so was the down! 

At least now we can see why they call it the Loire Valley. 

After a few small towns, we went through the Parc naturel regional Loire-Anjou-Touraine.  Many kms of shaded forest, paved and dirt paths. 

Long stretches along quiet roads today too (into a head wind, still singing Bob Seger..."against the wind"), with a picnic on the shore of the river, and many steeples. 

Crossing to the north side we came across a lovely old bridge and found ourselves in Langeais and explored the little town and the big chateau / castle. 

(From google:  The Château de Langeais is a 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic castle in Indre-et-Loire, France, built on a promontory created by the small valley of the Roumer River at the opening to the Loire Valley. Founded in 992 by Fulk Nerra, Count of Anjou, the castle was soon attacked by Odo I, Count of Blois.)

So many Chateaus. So little time ☺️

Tonight we are camping in the shadow of the Bellevue, in Luynes,  as we head to Tours and beyond, tomorrow. 

Marc's quote today "this route is like Disneyland for cyclists".  

Another 70 (exactly!) done. 

And miles to go along this route. 

Thanks for the comments. 

Remember to leave your name. 

Day 27 - The Ferry Man

We got a good start today out of Angers, with our baguette and pastries, and found a few stores open (on a holiday Monday) so we stocked up and followed the trail. 

A turn into a wooded area, dirt trail, and we came upon a couple who needed help with their bike. He has fallen (not injured) and his derailleur had been bent. Another man, a hiker with his hunting horn was also helping. (See hunting horn over the man's shoulder). 

As all this happened, I watched another cyclist take his bike across the small river, in a boat, by hand over handing the chain attached to each side of the river, and attached to each side of the boat. Seriously. 

When the derailleur was fixed (thanks to Marc's tools), and the horn players solutions), the couple thanked us and rode off and the man with the hunting horn explained that YES indeed, that is the bicycle path, and we needed to retrieve that ferry from the other side so we could use it. 

Hehe 

And then we loaded up the bikes and us and started the pull across the river. 

The Ferry Man!

And our new friend played his hunting horn as we crossed. There is a video. I will try to post it. It was surreal. 

Now that's a highlight!  

The rest of the day was perfect weather, and incredible roses. Everywhere. So many beautiful stone walls and flowers. 

And everytime we left one little town, we could see the next town's steeple in the distance. Gotta love these towns. 

And more walls. And more flowers. ❤️

We arrived in Saumur with time to explore, and enjoy some local wine. 

Very fun, easy day. 

We are camping at a Flower Campground. Once again, velo-friendly. We have our own little site, but side by side with the other cyclists, and then a little shared open kitchen with a gas stove, microwave, small fridge, plugs for charging and a couple of picnic tables. Makes the experience quite comfortable. This is our neighbor Domenico, an Italian who lives in Stuttgart, travelling alone,talking to his family. He was very chatty with us. He couldn't find any stores open today 😳

Stats. 

Thanks for following along, and for your comments.