This trip was first talked about in 2018 and we were going to do it in 2019. Wendy needed a spinal fusion which we thought would not happen until at least the end of 2019, however, when she saw the neurosurgeon in May 2019, he scheduled the op for June 2019. So, all plans went out the window. Until Greg decided he still wanted to do it, so while talking to Bob (from Cbr) about a cycle tour somewhere, they decided to do the Loire in Sep 2019. Their initial plan was for Japan, however, when checking for accommodation they discovered their dates clashed with the Rugby World Cup. Wendy had more surgery early 2020, and then COVID-19 struck, thereby smashing all dreams of doing any cycle touring overseas for some time.
As
international travel had only really re-started early 2022, we were still not
comfortable with having to travel in France with COVID still rife within the
community. So we took the van on a few outings. Then, in mid 2022, we decided
that 2023 would be the year to cycle the Loire. As Greg had already done it,
there was not too much to plan, except for the air tickets. We think we got in
at the right time as airfares have risen steadily since we purchased ours in
Oct 2022. We fly into Lyon, train it to St Nazaire, then back to Lyon.
Now, with just over six weeks to go, we are starting the packing process that will be refined until we are down to a manageable weight to cart around for nine weeks. We have a handle-bar bag and two panniers each, and that which does not fit, does not go! Greg, being a boy, seems to be able to manage with less than Wendy, and she still won’t allow him to wear a riding shirt on the plane nor out to dinner!
