Cycling around Sancerre

[Julian Scott]

Shamelessly stealing the idea from the Calpe post...

I'm going to be spending a long weekend near Sancerre in the Loire Valley, taking my parents to see (even more elderly) relatives, and buying wine into the bargain.

With three days to kill, I'm going to take my (road) bike.

Anyone got any exposure of cycling around there? Ideally looking for 4-5 hour rides so 120-160km. A brief look at what is within 50/60km of Sancerre/Loire Valley doesn't bring much up.

Thanks!

[leyorkie]

Look at Komoot or Strava segments.
Just pick a loop on the map and go for it
Look on Nafix.com for organised rides that you can join for a few Euros

[Julian Scott]

leyorkie said:

Look at Komoot or Strava segments.
Just pick a loop on the map and go for it
Look on Nafix.com for organised rides that you can join for a few Euros

Yeah, done that - very few. Strava only shows 20km vineyard tours. Komoot shows a dozen, but pretty much all just going to an abandoned station

Plan to look at the Strava segments, then look at the rides the top 20/30/40 were on.

Or just head out old school!

[djone101]

I'll be out in that area for a week's family holiday in July based about 35 mins ride South of Sancerre.
I've created a couple of routes on Strava utilising the EuroVelo 6 route along the Loire for part of each ride.
EuroVelo 6 runs all the way from the Black Sea to the Atlantic.
It's obviously flat along the cycle route and I don't know how busy it'll be but it'll make a nice change of scene from riding at home and the place we're staying has a pool to chill out in post ride.

[Julian Scott]

djone101 said:

I'll be out in that area for a week's family holiday in July based about 35 mins ride South of Sancerre.
I've created a couple of routes on Strava utilising the EuroVelo 6 route along the Loire for part of each ride.
EuroVelo 6 runs all the way from the Black Sea to the Atlantic.
It's obviously flat along the cycle route and I don't know how busy it'll be but it'll make a nice change of scene from riding at home and the place we're staying has a pool to chill out in post ride.

Are the EV routes decent tarmaced roads suitable for fast road bikes? I've always assumed they were canal path-style more relaxed 'pottering'/touring/commuting style routes?

[djone101]

From what I can gather looking at YouTube etc it's extensively tarmac along that area.

I'll have a gravel bike with me anyway.

[numtumfutunch]

Having had a few family holidays further west down the Loire Im qualified to throw my hat into the ring here and would broadly agree with all of the above

You really cant go far wrong if you boot up Strava's route planner and just stick to anything thats not an obvious arterial road

The formal route down the river had a good surface however in my opinion is designed for families and plodders - and its really great - not folk on road bikes who wish to cover 100km before breakfast. Id certainly recommend taking in the river but whenever Ive done it solo Ive picked a cafe somewhere hopefully photogenic then returned to the back roads

Cheers - and photos please when you get back!

[Julian Scott]

numtumfutunch said:

Having had a few family holidays further west down the Loire Im qualified to throw my hat into the ring here and would broadly agree with all of the above

You really cant go far wrong if you boot up Strava's route planner and just stick to anything thats not an obvious arterial road

The formal route down the river had a good surface however in my opinion is designed for families and plodders - and its really great - not folk on road bikes who wish to cover 100km before breakfast. Id certainly recommend taking in the river but whenever Ive done it solo Ive picked a cafe somewhere hopefully photogenic then returned to the back roads

Cheers - and photos please when you get back!

Yeah, that was my fear. I'll confess, I find Strava's route planner extremely poor, especially in comparison to Komoot, but neither have an abundance of 'decent' road cycling routes. Looks like I'll go organic and just head out.