Bike Touring
After completing the Camino Frances in 2009 and the Camino del Norte in 2012, along with years of shorter excursions, the idea of bike touring seemed to fade into the background during a period of gap years. Yet, beneath the surface, a silent desire for it continued to grow. Browsing for new things to do at travel bookstores such as the one at Altair in Barcelona reignited this passion, as did conversations with experienced bike tour planners and their captivating stories. Slowly but surely, the idea of embarking on another bike tour began to resurface.
In the summer of 2023, the urge to go on a bike tour resurfaced. I was in Barcelona for a fortnight, gearing up for the tour, when suddenly I fell ill with a fever and cough. I stayed in bed for a couple of days until a friend suggested I take a COVID test, which came back positive. After recovering from the fever, I was determined to leave. The thought of “just get me out of here and the rest will it its place” pushed to book a flight to Nantes, hoping to figure something out there, with the intention of finding a bike to jumpstart my bike tour revival. The feeling of now or never pushed me to take the leap and see where it led.
The idea of cycling alongside the Loire River had long captivated my imagination, and this was my opportunity to turn that dream into reality. Moreover, the prospect of rendezvousing with my sister and her friends, Sylvia and Victoria, in Cotê de Beaune, added an extra commitment to get there.
As I embarked on the Eurovelo 6 journey from Nantes, I felt a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead—a blend of excitement and anticipation for a memorable adventure. Riding along the Loire River, the memory of my recent illness seemed to fade into the background. The cough that had plagued me just yesterday was now nonexistent, perhaps overshadowed by the exhilaration of being back on the road or the healing embrace of nature's fresh air. Mindful not to overexert myself, I made frequent stops along the riverbank for leisurely picnics. During one such break, I encountered a fellow cyclist with a guitar strapped to his bike—a reminder that everyone carries something special on their journey. For me, it was my trusty notebook, ready to capture the moments and memories along the way.
I say, France is a paradise to experience bike touring. I supposed with the popularity and history of Tour de France, it has become a country that is focal point of bike touring. The tradition and culture is there to back it up aside the decorations of bikes on roundabouts, fences, bars, wineries, and even hostels. With the atmosphere around, bikers are respected and part of country’s lifestyle. Going through towns and villages is a heaven for bikers and I as has the tradition and culture of bikers. As you wind through small towns and villages, beauty of small towns and villages, the flower displays, the chateaus, the monasteries, the monuments, the landscapes, and not to mention the food and the wine. The roundabouts are also decorated with bikes, and road walls