Cycling UK Forum

Chris&Roy

'Loire à Vélo' on a tandem
Out of interest we did a small section of this last year--Tours to Samur--also out of interest SNCF allowed our tandem on the train from Samur.
We had three punctures along the way, picked up on the last lap on the gravel sections back to Samur. Finally had to buy a replacement tyre in Samur.
This year we will carry a spare tyre plus usual repair kit.
I really recommend this cycle route for those wanting a leisurely scenic ride with interesting chateaus en-route. This year we plan to visit one when a tomato festival is on!
We stayed at Chambre d'hotes along the way finding them as we went along was no problem.Always a welcome for cyclists.
Looking forward to our return this September with hopefully some sunshine.

Chris&Roy

MartinBrice wrote:We went from Orleans to Nantes. you could drive to Orleans, leave your car on a campsite in Orleans, cycle to Nantes, leave the bike at the campsite - with one of you - and the other get the train back to Orleans, get in the car and drive down to pick up the bike and the other. then drive home. Sounds complicated but is dead easy.
Also, the riding is super, quite flat - with a very few exceptions - and quite pretty. I found it all surprisingly rural, given how many people live in that area. Great ride. Recommended.

Hi Martin--Thanks for your answer--Brilliant--why didn't we think of that!!!

Chris&Roy

iandriver wrote:If you want transport all the way, the European Bike express cater for Tandems:

http://www.bike-express.co.uk/

Specific to tandems in FAQs

http://www.bike-express.co.uk/FAQ.aspx#question19

Thanks--would love to use bike-express but no pick-near our area, plus we would still have to drive to the pick up and then leave a car somewhere. Gone are the days when trains had a guards van!

Chris&Roy

christina bowyer wrote:I had a full knee replacement end of oct 09. August 2010 (10 months later) I did a tour cycling from roscoff down to La rochelle cycling about 50 - 60 miles a day acrrying everything on my bike and with no car support. I had no problem and a great time. I would also say that I had done locally a couple of ctc rides of 60 miles the first one 5 months after the operation. 3 month after the op I did a 30 mile ride. I would say that you should put 150% effort into following the post op exercises - do not over do it - take up the physio circuit training that they offer. I have wonderful flexion, my consultant said to follow the flexion exercises until it hurt and then a little bit more. He said to get on and use my new knee. Enjoy your cycling in the Loire.
This year, in June I plan to cycle from home in Devon to Plymouth - Roscoff and down throuh France to the mediteranian at Perpignon in 2 weeks and raise money for Leukaemia.

Hi Christina,Thanks for your advice--and well done you.
Actually it is not the knees I am too bothered about --yet ( I have bi-lateral replacements +plus a third adjustment last Jan 2010) we are also mountain/hill hikers living in Shropshire and near Nth Wales.
It was the linear aspect of the Loire we were pondering. Now decided to either do a circular or leave the tandem at a Chambre dote and catch a train back to our car.
Best of luck with your future cycle rides and take care of those knees now! They do wear out.Regards ChrisandRoy

Chris&Roy

I have just re-joined CTC after a 4yr break and knee replacement! so plan a gentle tour in the Loire.
Has anyone recent experience of cycling on a tandem in the Loire Valley, we would prefer to do a linear.
Any advice of best ways for return to starting point using public transport.
We will probably use self drive for arrival.

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