/ Elena Riatti / to cycle to know bike paths family reading tips
Cycling with children in the Loire Valley
In 2019, for our spring holidays, we chose a family cycling trip with Adriana, who is almost 3 years old. So, in May, we spent a week cycling along the Loire à Vélo, the castles of the Loire, the most popular cycling route in France. It was not our first cycling holiday, but after others in Italy and Austria, we can say it was the best. Here I tell you what we saw. Not a list of the most beautiful castles or a mile by mile description of the route, but some hints and tips for families who have never tried this experience.
Cycling along the Loire is a surprising experience: the castles are magnificent, but cycling along a river so full of life is really exciting. And you won’t get lost! Maps and road books make it easy to follow the route; it is very difficult to get lost.
Will my child fit in the seat/child trailer all day?
Our experience was with an almost 3 year old girl: we chose to rent a child trailer to protect her from the sun and rain, which also came in handy during “nap” times. We also chose a back seat to allow her to make her observations and give her endless cues for her “why…” questions.
The same setup will work for younger children.
Older children, from 5/6 years on, can try their hand at pedaling: the distances in the roadbook are not too long and are broken up by many stops. For the younger ones, you can rent a family tandem or a follow-me tandem. For older children and teenagers, a regular bike of the appropriate height will do.
What if it rains?
We rode in a somewhat dreary May, with the sky alternating between clouds, rain, and broad flashes of sunshine. Putting on and taking off the K-Way was a habit, and conquering the stage at the end of an uncertain day gave extra satisfaction.
On days of heavy rain, a Plan B is possible: the stage can be completed by train, as it is easy to find local trains that allow bike transport. What’s more, some of the stages are circular, so if the weather is bad, you can get off your bike and explore the city center on foot or take public transport to see the sights. In fact, Girolibero often recommends places where it is easy to get around by finding an alternative to cycling.
In case of punctures or other problems?
Another advantage of the organized trip: the rented bikes were in excellent condition, well maintained and running smoothly. The bike path along the Loire is well kept, so the chances of getting a flat tire are minimal. But if it happens, don’t worry: you will always have a repair kit and a service number with you. In case of more serious breakdowns, you can even call for local assistance from the tour operator, which has its own base in the Loire. Of course, you can also travel with your own bike: just make sure it is in top condition, perhaps with a good overhaul by the mechanic before you leave.
Where do you eat during the day?
You will learn at the first stop that on a cycling vacation there are never three meals… but many more! After breakfast at your hotel, you will naturally stop at the first boulangerie or epicerie, the local bakeries and grocery stores. Load your groceries into your bike panniers and your snack is ready!
Visiting the castle of the day will make you hungry, with its staircases, immense gardens, long avenues, mazes and more. So you enter the bar or sit down at the village bistro and a hot meal will give you the energy to finish the stage.
Then suppose that, almost to your hotel, the cycle path follows the river and that the guinguette, the quaint kiosk-bar on the banks, often with a small beach and playground, has just brought out tables and chairs – will you not stop for an aperitif?
Arriving at the hotel, here is a well-deserved rest: “But do you know that the shower made me hungry?”
A map of “our places”
We cycled for a week between Blois, Amboise and Tours: an itinerary slightly modified at our request from the classic Girolibero tour. This map shows the places where we stopped and that we can suggest to you
To complete the list, here’s a tip for families like ours flying into Paris: while waiting at the Gare d’Austerlitz, visit the nearby Jardin des Plantes with its botanical gardens, horse carousel and playground. You can also visit the amazing National Museum of Natural History – what kid doesn’t like dinosaurs?
The video account of the trip
