This time last year I was trying to keep my morning sickness at bay and recovering from an epic October of travel while starting my first trimester. I started October with my family in France as our Loire Valley bike tour came to an end. Over the course an amazing adventure we biked dozens of miles per day racking up 236 miles by the end. It may not sound fun but I really enjoy biking and despite near freezing temperatures had a great time on our biking holiday. After meeting in Paris I traveled with my parents, brother, husband, and two family friends headed South to the Loire Valley where we spent six days biking through towns, châteaus, pastures, and more. Every day we stopped at a few sites, enjoyed French food (it was hit and miss, for sure), and definitely got a good workout every day.
I tracked each days ride on my Strava profile and right when we got back from the trip I shared a few shots in my post Loving the Loire Valley. As I got a new Macbook last month I spent 20+ hours culling down my tens of thousands of photos and backing them up before I made the transfer which was all the motivation I need to finally pick the best shots from this trip and edit them.
Posing at a water stop along the Loire River
We biked by dozens of farms and these horses were gorgeous!
On the Banks of the Loire Valley in Amboise, France
With my family in front of the Chateau de Chambord
(this was our 2022 family Christmas card!)
Roses in the garden of the 16th-century castle The Chateau de Villandry
Silly faced at a mid-morning water stop by an old fishing boat on the Loire River
Stone gates guarding the path to an old manor
With Mark in matching Rapha gear overlooking the gardens of Chateau de Villandry
The pool at Chateau de Rochecotte Boutique Hotel in Coteaux-sur-Loire, France
Wine tasting at Domaine de la Perruche in Montsoreau, France
Chateau de Chenonceau from a 15th Century Window
With Mark on the Banks of the Loire Valley in Amboise
Beautiful blue doors in one of countless charming villages we biked through in the French countryside
Lunch spread in the gardens of Chateau de Chenonceau
Backroads bike on a dirt lane in the Loire Valley
We went to so many different places, it is amazing just how far you can journey on your own two legs. If you are interested you can take a look at the full itenerary and details of the beautiful stops on their website here.
Would you go on a Loire Valley bike tour?
A Trip to the Mayfield Lavender Farm
Easter in the Middle East
Exploring England’s Corfe Castle
Swimming in the Madeira Lava Pools
Emilia says
So many people I know have gone on a trip like this. Sometimes I think about it but get a bit scared by how much biking there is.
Those photos though might get me to rethink things. Do you have tips for a not so wonderful bike rider? Would really like to consider going on one with my girlfriend. Is it ok to have two ladies?
Thanks Kelly.
Rachel says
I’ve always heard about those bike trips and wondered what it would be like to go on one. I see the catalogs and I’m not sure if it’s more hype or do they really do all the cool stuff that they talk about. It looks like they really do a lot of cool stuff.
I’m not a very good biker though. How good of a biker do you need to be to go on one of these trips in your opinion.