Cycling Tour Loire Valley

The tour is 7 days long with 5 days of cycling. There is also the possibility of an optional warm-up ride on the first day, which would make 6 days of cycling if you choose to participate.

This cycling tour of the Loire Valley takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside that France has to offer, and offers ideal off-road cycling following the Rivers Loire and Cher. A stunning, relaxed 7-day cycling tour that has optional diversions for those seeking a little more of a cycling challenge, but easy enough for just about anyone to enjoy. The tour is a fully guided, small group based cycling tour, and includes a support vehicle if required.

The cycling is gentle, following rivers and forest tracks and quiet tree-lined roads. There are only a few hills on the tour and these are described as gentle.

Yes, 18 is the minimum age for the tour.

The tours are kept to a small size of just 16 participants.

If you wish to have your own room then a single supplement is payable.

All evening meals are included, and restaurants are carefully selected for cuisine and ambience, and those are favoured with a strong regional flavour. All meals include a starter, main course and dessert, some will have an additional cheese course. The tour operator is happy to arrange for the restaurants to cater for specific dietary requirements and allergies etc. They also include wine with the meals, again favouring the local appellations of which there are so many!

Breakfasts are included, usually continental although many hotels will provide a buffet-style breakfast. Lunch is not included as different people have different requirements, but the tour operator will suggest restaurants for lunch.

The tour operator provides lightweight alloy framed Trek ‘hybrid’ touring bicycles with 24 indexed gears, fully equipped with a lock, pump and toolkit (although the guides will generally be on hand to fix punctures and minor mechanical problems). For carrying the items you might need during the day (camera, wallet, windbreaker etc.) there are capacious handlebar bags fitted, which also features a large map pocket. These clip on and off the bike in a flash so that you can always take your valuables with you when off the bike. The bikes are meticulously maintained and come in a wide range of sizes; female specific saddles are also available. 

Helmets are not provided automatically, as people often prefer their own if they want to wear one, and sizing and fit are quite personal; however, there are always helmets available for use. The tour operator also carries raincapes should they be required (but hopefully not!). For certain tours we also have available 27 speed drop-handlebar race-style bikes, and tandems may also be available on certain tours by special request.

You will have two guides on every tour; one cycling with the group and one in the minibus which will follow the group. The bus carries all luggage not required for the day's ride and will always be available for anyone at any point during the day. If, for instance, you want to take a day off the bike, or if a particular day seems a little hard, the bus will take you for as long or as little as you wish it to. To ensure maximum flexibility for all riders, everybody is provided with detailed route maps for each day, and both guides are easily contactable by mobile phone. The guides are enthusiastic experts on the local area and will be able to sort out any problems or special requests that you might have.