Loire à Vélo – C’est Fini

France Stage 10 – Ancenis to Nantes 40 Km (Mon 18 June 2018)

Weather: 15⁰C min – 21⁰C max, overcast

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“I have found if you love life it will love you back.” ~ Unknown

What ever happened to saving the best wine until last? My last day of riding along the Loire à Vélo was ordinary to say the least, a real anti-climax.

Another very dull grey day greeted me when I looked out the window this morning and it didn’t improve. The first couple of Km after leaving the lovely little town of Ancenis was pleasant enough, riding on smooth, quiet backroads through farmlands. But then it turned ugly … the path became a rough dirt track, better suited to mountain bikes than a pannier-laden touring bike, and the scenery was nothing more than dark green scrub alongside a dirty river.

Where have all the pretty villages gone? Where are the nice smooth paths and country roads I have been enjoying? After about 15 Km I decided enough is enough so I headed away from the river and followed moderately busy roads in the general direction of Nantes. At least the riding was better, even if the scenery was still bland.

When I rejoined my original route about 10 Km further on I found myself on an excellent bike path that took me all the way into Nantes.

And so finishes the Loire à Vélo section of my Tour de France. After a rest day in Nantes I start my 6-day ride on La Vélodyssée trail. The forecast for the next week is good so I am looking forward to a spectacular finish to my tour.