99km
375m elevation gain
I said I was castled out and I really nearly am, but everyone on the internet (aka the Loire à Vélo Facebook group) and the lady at the Blois tourist office said I really shouldn't miss the Chateau de Chambord. It was a detour, adding maybe 13 or 14km to my day, plus the time required for visiting, but after stopping briefly in Blois for the stamp in my 'passport' I decided what the heck.
And you know, I did enjoy Chambord, and I'm glad I went, but dear lord it was busy. Absolutely heaving with people. Some of the bigger chateaux now give you tablets to enhance your visit but frankly it means there's lots of people shuffling around looking at screens rather than the rooms. Anyway, the castle is very impressive but I liked it more for its architecture than the things to see in the rooms, apart perhaps from the royal apartments where Louis XIV once hung out.
It took me slightly less time than I feared, but I had another 50+ km to go afterwards and it was boiling hot. I drank and drank and drank and was still thirsty. There was also an annoying headwind today.
But I enjoyed rolling through the pretty villages of Beaugency and Meung-sur-Loire; a short stop at the Eaux Bleus near Beaugency (a natural spring) was worth it; and my last stop was at the Jardins de Roquelin near Meung, a slightly wild but attractive little spot where it was good to stroll and stretch my legs.
Then the last 20km to Orléans weren't too bad. I even managed to do a wash and make it to the tourist office for the Orléans stamp before they closed, and then I was delighted that the cathedral was still open so I don't have to try and do that in the morning. Instead, I can leave early for another longish day.
No comments:
Post a Comment