Chateaux of the Loire Valley Section 1

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW

A tour in this area was most recently led by Jane Holahan in Sept. 2015. We thank Jane for her advice in planning Chateaus of the Loire 2019. This tour has been organized to include multiple nights and excursions to some of the most charming and historic chateaus of the Loire Valley.

In 2000, Loire Valley was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.  The UNESCO World Heritage Sites website describes the Loire Valley as "an outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages, great architectural monuments (the châteaux), and cultivated lands formed by many centuries of interaction between their population and the physical environment, primarily the river Loire itself."

We begin our tour in Angers and over the next several days conclude our adventure in Cour-Cheverny, where we will say goodbye and depart for Blois. Along the way, we will ride at a relaxed pace through the historic, scenic Loire valley, often following the river, enjoying the peaceful pace of valley life. No tour of this area would be complete without sampling the delightful local foods and wines, including fruits, cheeses, mushrooms and more. Mid-ride activities could include chateau tours, medieval sites, picnicking in the vineyards, a cooking demonstration and/or other local activities. The tour includes at least three excursions for the entire group.

RIDE RATING

This trip is rated a 1B with an average of 35 miles/day and less than 1,000 ft of elevation. As we will have multiple fixed locations, riders have the option to ride or take a day of ‘leisure,’ although we encourage everyone to enjoy the opportunity to see the surrounding areas by bike. Many of the daily routes (with the exception of the 3 days that we ride to a new accommodation, the longest of those being 50 miles) can be shortened to a 1A rating or lengthened. There are also options for a couple of routes with a bit over 1,500 ft of elevation.

ITINERARY AND HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1, Mon 9/9: arrive in Angers

Day 2, Tue 9/10: ride from Angers to Saumur, visit Gennes and medieval sites

Days 3-4, Wed 9/11 and Thu 9/12: ride to Chinon, Candes (Fontevraud), Azay-le-Rideau and more

Day 5, Fri 9/13: ride from Saumur to Montlouis-sur-Loire, castles & more chateaus

Days 6-7, Sat 9/14 and Sun 9/15: ride to Tours, Villandry, Loches, Troglodyte caves

Day 8, Mon 9/16: ride from Montlouis-sur-Loire to Cour-Cheverny, Amboise, Chenonceaux

Day 9-10, Tue 9/17 and Wed 9/18: Blois, Chambord, Beaugency

Day 11, Thu 9/19: depart from Blois

WEATHER

September is the month that is both the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in the Loire Valley. It is a typical transitional month, that is still quite pleasant, but also gradually getting cooler. The afternoon temperature averages 68 degrees F. Nights begin to cool, with an average low temperature of 50 degrees F. The beginning of September is definitely the warmest time of the month with temperatures dropping as the month progresses.

Rainfall typically averages ~2 inches for the month, spread over 11 days. This can range from moderate rain to light drizzle with a small chance of thunderstorms. The chance of rainfall also increases as the month progresses.

LODGING & MEALS

After the first night in Angers, we are staying primarily at historic chateaus and properties of the Loire Valley in Saumur, Montlouis-sur-Loire (near Tours), and Cour-Cheverny. At each of the multi-night locations we will have one organized group dinner; happy hour each evening and breakfasts will be provided. There will be no shortage of local gastronomic delights, for us to explore!

Accommodations include the Best Western Hôtel d'Anjou, Hotel Anne D. Anjou, Chateau de la Bourdaisiere (complete with a resident Prince), and Hotel Relais des Trois Chateaux. For your pleasure, other activities available include spa treatments, swimming, and tennis, and you will have ample time to explore the local villages. Just in case you’re not already excited about this trip, check out these links to a couple of our chateaux!

www.labourdaisiere.com/portfolio/presentation

www.wsj.com/articles/louis-albert-de-broglie-the-gardener-prince-1381422615

www.relaisdestroischateaux.com/uk/index.php#hotel-de-charme-loire-cheverny-galerie-photo-hotel.php

LOGISTICS

The tour starts in Anger before dinner on Monday 9 September 2019 and ends in Cour-Cheverny (15 km miles from Blois) after breakfast on 19 September 2019. Overnights in order are Anger (1 night), Saumur (3 nights), Montlouis-sur-Loire (near Tours, 3 nights), and Cour-Cheverny (3 nights). Participants can fly to Paris and take the TGV (train) to Angers and then walk to the hotel. At the end of the tour, participants can take a taxi to Blois and depart from there by train as well. We will have a van driver whose primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. While it will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a SAG vehicle and participants are expected to complete the ride each day.

Bike rentals will be available directly from Détours de Loire and can be picked up in Angers on the first day of the tour and dropped off in Blois at the end. Hybrid and aluminum road bikes are available; given the relatively flat terrain and because some bike paths are compacted gravel, hybrid bikes are considered suitable. The Ride Leader will send additional information to those participants who are interested in renting bikes.  Bike rentals are solely the responsibility of the trip participant.

COST & ADMINISTRATION

Cost estimate is $2,300 per person (In addition to the non-refundable $100 BAC ride registration fee). Cost is based on double occupancy for 10 nights, 10 breakfasts, one special lunch with cooking demo, happy hour drinks and snacks most afternoons, 3 group dinners, daily route review, luggage transfer, maps, route sheets and sightseeing information as well as at least 3 special tours/excursions (e.g., tours or chateaus and attractions, wine/cheese tasting, etc.). GPS tracks will be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS before the trip begins. The initial deposit is $1,000 with the final payment of $1,300 due March 1, 2019. The cost is estimated based on $1.35 per Euro. Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY

We welcome single participants, whether you share a room with another single or you choose to pay a solo supplement. Singles who want a roommate should try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, as a single you will be placed on the ride and given until January 1, 2019 to find a roommate. If you are unable to find a roommate, you will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $560 single supplement and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. The solo supplement is payable directly to BAC by check with the ride name noted on the check. The BAC office address is: P.O. Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.  All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP

To register for this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit of $1,000 by credit card through the BAC site. As soon as your payments have been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  Final payment of $1,300 will be due on March 1, 2019. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.