Day 8. Montcharin to Julienas. 62mi. Coming Into southern Burgundy brought a day of surprise delights. Steep hills, thick forests, fast switchbacks, tunnels, bridges, castles and abbeys. Staying put for a couple days to enjoy the wine.
Day 7. Diou to Montchanin. 62mi. Ran into a bit of rain and took shelter in a park ramada. While we ate lunch, these guys called their support car, which arrived with lunch, a table, and an abundance of generously shared wine (drank from paper cups), strawberries and cherries.
Day 6. Nevers to Diou. 63mi. Change of plans. We traded castles for cattle and started heading southeast. Adventure-touring, or bike-packing, or whatever, is great and all, but I’m doing whole-cold-bottle-of-rosé touring. Also, this cyclist rest in Charrin is amazing. Running water, tools, indoor bike parking, toilets, showers, a clothes line, camp spots and a grocery store and bar across the street. Nice work Charrin. 5 stars. Nailed it.
Day 5. 70mi. Châtilon-sur-Loire to Nevers with a spin up to Sancerre for lunch. Hot and windy, but the wine was cold and dry. Nice to get in some climbing.
Day 4. Sandillion to Châtilon-sur-Loire. 59mi. A serious castle, a bike+boat bridge and camping at a lock onto the river.
Day 3. Blois to Sandillion, 50mi. Victory day parade in Orleans, a demi bottle and a tent by a pond. Also the world’s loudest toads. 🐸
Day 2, Blois to Chambord and back.
Day 1. Train into Orléans at 5am, ride to Blois and Cheverny. 75mi
Scenes from this weekend’s 360km flèche
Goin’ somewhere.
