Chateauneuf-sur-Loire to Villandry, Days 11-15

 We have had great weather for the past few days and its getting hotter. Today is at 90.  Our German friends Frank and Sibylle met us in Beaugency and rode to Amboise with us. 

Our hotel in Beaugency was an old Abbaye with historic furnishings. We rode 59 km to Beaugency with EG of 277. 

From Beaugency we rode to Chambord the largest and most elaborate of Loire chateaux. We had lunch on the grounds with chateau view.  

We then rode another 22 km to Blois for a total of 48 km and EG of 682. Our hotel in Blois was an amazing museum like hotel just next to the Blois Chateau. We had the Renaissance room.  

The next day after picking up provisions for lunch we headed out at 10 am. We stopped after 21 km in Chaumont and had lunch in a picnic area. Then visited the Chaumont castle. Anne and I left the castle and headed to Amboise and arrived at 4:30 pm after 41 km and EG of 446 ft.  We had a wine tasting before dinner. 

The next day we visited the Amboise Chateau where Leonardo Da Vinci spent his l last few years in the court of Francois 1 and is buried in the chapel at the Chateau. 

Our German friends left for Germany this morning and we headed west and after a brisk 40 km stopped at a picnic area by the river and had lunch of Galette. The completed the coast 4 km to Villondry for a total of 44 km and EG of 328. 

Views of the hotel l’Abby. 

Arriving in Chambord with Chateau Vista .

Chambord Chateau

With friends Frank and Sibyle from Germany .

Arriving in Blois. 

Our Rainessance room in Blois. 

Chateau Chaumont 

Wine cave

Amboise

Chateau Amboise 

The Master, Leonardo Da Vinici at his death bed. 

Nevers to Chateauneuf-sur-Loire - Day 7-9

 We stayed in Nevers for two nights and left on June 7th at 10 am to meet our friend Sandra at the bridge. While waiting there, another cyclist from Quebec, Rene arrived and was asking directions. It was his first day. So he joined us or the rest of the day. We stopped at a small village and bought supplies for lunch and then continued to 30 km for lunch. The ride turned out to be the longest yet at 74 km and an 800 ft 2 km climb at the very end of the day to our Panoramic hotel in Sancerre. 

The next day we woke up to heavy rain so we delayed our start to 11 am when the rain was a bit lighter. Then took the 2 km downhill and then headed west along the Canal Lateral. The trail was along the canal path, Loire River, and levee tops. It rained hard several times during the day. We arrived in Briare at 4:30 pm with everything covered with white mud of the trails. We rode 54 km and 558 EG. 

We left Briare in good weather and had no rain today. We rode through several small villages and long the canal and river Loire at times. Had lunch in one village on a bench. After 30 km we arrived in Sully-sur-Loire with castle dominating the skyline. We stopped and visited the medieval castle of Sully with 265 steps through the different rooms. Then another 20 km to Chateauneuf-sur-Loire in head wind. It has been very windy every afternoon riding north and west. Our Gite in Chateauneuf has been some experience. No towels, no soap, semi-clogged drains, and not cleaned for rental interior.  

We went to the Friday market in town and bought lots of vegetables and fruits for the next few days. I'm not sure who will carry them.