Today was my first cycle along the banks of the Loire. After a nice breakfast with hosts Diane and Alex, I set off for Blois. The day was the best day of riding so far…pretty much all down hill (I was following a river so it would be…), some fun dirt tracks…and miles and miles of car free tarmac winding through the farms and following the curves of the river. The sun was out and warm, but not hot. Perfect.
Today was also the first day that I started to see lots of other cyclists out. Haven’t yet seen and fully loaded tourers, but lots of groups of cyclists… The funny thing about riding by other cyclists is that they always aknowledge you in some way: ‘bonjour’, a nod of the head, a wave…whatever is may be. It kind of feels like we all know each other already…or that the cyclists are all in on a big secret…like we know something the rest of people (the walkers) enjoying the path don’t! I’m not sure what it is, but is just feels that way…like we are a part of something grand! ok… so maybe I’m getting a little carried away…perhaps I just like the fact that I saw other cyclists and that was fun for me…who knows….
On the way to Blois I wanted to take a quick stop at Chambord castle…however, somehow I missed the turn I was meant to take and suddenly I was in Blois…it was only 3pm so I figured I would take the time to cycle back to the castle anyway…I had time to kill and I really wanted to see it…so that was an extra 40km detour…but no worries – it was worth it:
After my visit I went back to Blois and then set off to find the home of my host, which is not in Blois, but slightly outside in a village called Chouzy-sur-Cisse…but I got lost. And then it got dark…and then I had to cycle through a 8km forest in the pitch black trying to find a village I’d never been to before. It got a little hairy…thanks god I had an extra head lamp (thanks CJ) to help me navigate my way there.
When I was nearly at the village a little scooter shot past me…he then slowed down and waited for me – said a few things in French (which I didn’t understand) and then rode next to me until I had cleared the forest – I guess he was just being kind of enough to provide some light to get out of there! Was quite a cool experience.
The funny thing was when I finally found my hosts house – it turns out he was a friend of the host – and also the president of the local bicycle club! Brilliant coincidence.
Blois at Sunset
This evening I am being hosted by Catherine…something of a world traveler and cycle tourist. She was a brilliant host and welcomed me as if I was family she hadn’t seen in years! We had an absolutely great evening of conversation, bernache (wine in the early stages of fermentation – something of a speciality of her area), and roasted chestnuts.
My host in Chouzy-sur-Cisse, Catherine
I continue to be amazed by the couch surfing programme. Everyday is a totally new experience…you really can’t imagine what the next day will be like.
Nothing like a nuclear reactor to spoil your view!
117km Bicycled Today
682km to Date
