Training in the Loire Valley?: Triathlon Forum: Slowtwitch Forums

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Training in the Loire Valley?

bigjo_NZ

Apr 11, 12 15:40

Post #1 of 10 (487 views)

Training in the Loire Valley?	Quote \| Reply

Dear good people of Slowtwitch

I need some advice planning a little France trip in July. The plan is to come to France from Germany around the 16th of July for 4-5 days, then head to Chartres and Paris to watch the final two stages of the Tour and then head down to Alpe d'Huez for the triathlon. I need to work out where to go in between Germany and Chartres and since we are doing the ADH race we still need to be training. I was thinking of the Loire Valley since it is close to Chartres but have no idea where to go.
Has anyone been there for training and if so what area would we want to go to? We won't have a car so it needs to be somewhere accessible for trains.
Hope someone can help me! :)

Check me out: http://www.jocarrelironwoman.blogspot.com

snail_male

Apr 11, 12 19:04

Post #2 of 10 (455 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [bigjo_NZ] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

That sounds like an exciting, quality trip you're planning! I can only speak from distant memory, and not sure it may be of much help: over two decades ago I lived for half a year in the middle of the Loire et Cher "department," in a small town called Romorantin-Lanthenay, almost straight south from Orleans. Beautiful region, with lots of quiet roads (at least at that time) but if you are looking to keep tuned up for AdH, you may be better off finding a hillier region? I only recall gentle rolling hills, which was good for my situation as we only had single speed bikes (long story). If I understand you correctly, you'll have most of your free time in the days leading up to the Chartres stage - how about staying further east for a few days and training closer to somewhere like Besancon or Dijon? I think they may have more elevation change for you than the giant floodplain of the Loire - then you can drive west just in time to see the race, but with a few more quality hill rides in your legs?

(Speaking of floodplains: they never tell you this in the tourism info but our neck of the Loire was insanely mosquito-laced. Bring some form of bug repellents!)

If you only tour one chateau while you are there, be sure to check out Chenonceau. It's insane what they could do with some obsession and a ton of money.
Huh. Sort of like triathletes...

Anyway, I am jealous and wish you a great trip and best wishes for the Alpe d'Huez!

_______________________________
http://www.snail-male.blogspot.com

Frenchman

Apr 11, 12 21:52

Post #3 of 10 (439 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [bigjo_NZ] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

bigjo_NZ wrote:

[..] we still need to be training. I was thinking of the Loire Valley [..]

Errrr. You better taste wine and visit ch�teaux while in the Loire Valley. That should be training enough!

pmcdc

Apr 11, 12 22:10

Post #4 of 10 (432 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [snail_male] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

yes, yes, yes on chenonceau. when we were doing chateaux in the loire, years ago, i made a mental note to come back by bike. of all the big, sightseeing chateaux in that area, chenonceau was my favorite. we saw it by day, then went back at night for a sound and light "show", telling the story of the place. wonderful.
peggy

LuvMyCrappyBike

Apr 11, 12 22:37

Post #5 of 10 (426 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [bigjo_NZ] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Chateau Chambord is also really wonderful - it's got a staircase that was supposedly designed by Da Vinci.

Wine is a must - you're in the center of the wine country of France!

Should you find yourself in the Dordogne, you must go see the caves at Lasceaux, and the other cave paintings in the area.

Stop at a roadside cafe and have Cassoulet. It's heavy as hell and wonderful. Foie gras in this area of France is also worth stopping for.

Also, if you're passing by, see the town of Perigord. They light it up after dark and it's very, very pretty.

http://aclockworkmango.com

bigjo_NZ

Apr 15, 12 12:47

Post #6 of 10 (369 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [snail_male] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Thanks for that - the reason why I was looking at the Loire Valley was because it is reasonably central to get to from Germany and then get to Chartres from there. All of our decent training will be done in the weeks before so shouldn't be a biggie if we don't have any mountains to ride up the week before :)
I want to be able to combine training with sightseeing and it seems like there are a lot of nice places around there that we could ride to. Will definitely have to put Chenonceau on the list.
Just wondering where we should base ourselves - looking at a map it looks like Angers will be a direct line to Chartres and Paris, have you been there before? Do you know if it would be a good place to stay?
Thanks!

Check me out: http://www.jocarrelironwoman.blogspot.com

scorrybreac

Apr 15, 12 16:09

Post #7 of 10 (348 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [bigjo_NZ] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I studied abroad in Tours and would recommend staying there. It is accessible by train, beautiful country, and quick access to some good roads up and down the valley. I stayed with a host family, but there were quite a few hotels. For easy access to the good riding roads, I would recommend staying somewhere right next to the train station or north of the station. I don't know if you speak french or will be with someone who does, but there aren't as many english speakers in Tours outside the hotels - just something to keep in mind.

Wherever you end up, it will be a great trip. I didn't train while in Tours, but I remember seeing a few touring cycling groups going between chateaux. Good rides might be up to Blois, down to Chinon, or up toward Le Mans.

Gurudriver10

Apr 15, 12 17:46

Post #8 of 10 (336 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [bigjo_NZ] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I recall Blois as a good central city out of which to hit everything. I haven't been since '97 but I remember tons of cyclists on the river there and out in the country. Cycling heaven. They keep the wine in the limestone caves there and the food is absolutely amazing! Have fun. Oh, the Alsace region is also excellent for cycling. Skip the Champagne region!

RebeccaCreekKid

Apr 15, 12 21:03

Post #9 of 10 (319 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [Gurudriver10] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

You could do worse than the second half of the Paris-Tours course. Blois is nice, and accessible by TGV. Amboise, Montrichard; that whole area was great and had a lot to see and do. The Cher valley was a little quieter. It's hard to find bad riding. I did Limoges to Montrichard one time when the train was on strike - just set out with what looked good on a map, and had great riding the whole way.
Stay in a smaller town, pick some little roads on a map, and go!

Gurudriver10

Apr 15, 12 21:14

Post #10 of 10 (311 views)

Re: Training in the Loire Valley? [RebeccaCreekKid] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Small towns in the country were always the best European vacations. Paris, Rome, London, Prague, Vancouver, Capetown, Edinburgh and a few others are all unique but after those, all cities tend to be the same. Country is where you really see the culture.