Started out in the rain, across the loire to the right bank, wearing my new loire kit (thank you all!), 3 riders short as some returned their bikes. Rain ended quickly, then rode through vineyards, sunflowers to vouvray where half the group stopped for 10.30am wine tasting. 5 o'clock somewhere! Down to river where lots of cave-houses cut into side of mountains, where rest of group stopped for coffee and olive/nut cans from 1 Euro vending machines at lulu parc, looks like a total party place with band warming up. Rode into town and grabbed lunch by our **** grand hotel, then most of us rode to lac bergeonnerie - nice picnic spot, but no swimming. So we rode along the cher, through the trailer park to lac brettonierres. Also no swimming. Ah well. Turned around to go back to our **** grand hotel, beating the rain but most of our rooms were not ready...dinner in the big city at L'atelier Gourmand with Glasgow, #1 of 426 rated places by tripadvisor. 1 and a half flats, Jason tire mysteriously self patching. Couldn't find the ikea museum (Missy found 'ikea tours', and assumed it was a museum..) but found the shul and a beautiful 12th century cathedral. 23 miles plus 11 riding around town
Friday, last day of all (potentially) riding together. Departed at trip low of 63 degrees, 19 of us riding through the awesome city multimidal infrastructure - 4 separate lanes for walkers, cyclists, cars and buses. Then split into 2 groups- half to gardens of chateau villandry, rest to "original" castle. Rode along Cher to confluence with loire along an old rail line to Chateau azay, which we decided was 3rd most beautiful of tye trip. Cool architecture of ceiling joists! Gardens also reported as beautiful! Jason got lost, and inadvertently took a shortcut to the castle, jen and i took train back (infrastructure!), avoiding 22 mile ride on another hot afternoon. Most of us went to circa 1908 sephardic shul in Tours, where they were happy to have more than a minyan! Creepy to see the memorial plaques filled with names of conngregants from the german barbarism. Dinner before (yummy Cameroon food with cohens for us) or after for those who davened. Then hung out for hours drinking wine in hotel bar. 0, 22, 28 or 50 miles for people. Chod flat and other half of the flat for jason.
Last day. Left Serene, Mike, anne and jj in Tours and Jen set off on the train to blois. But first, group photo time! The day was like the Torah pasha (devarim) - a quick retelling of the trip. Riverside cycling, good croissants, farms, castles, ice cream, swimming. And coffee. I had to get the car to blois so started with everyone, then doubled back (by the Jardin de vikings! Preview for '23) got the car, met Jen at the train (who schlepped my bike) and biked back to meet up with the group after scouting for a swimming/lunch/coffee spot, lowenstein pointing out that these logistics are expected on a jonfrankel trip. Most successful scouting adventure of the trip! Jen greeted us as we arrived at bike shop, where we said goodbye to Glasgows, who boxed Jason's bike. Big group dinner (less 6 people) at le Clipper. Visited another 10th century cathedral on the way. 0, 45km or 45miles. Perfect weather - started in high 50s, stayed cool but strong headwind much of the day.
Final thoughts - the real bus left at 6.30am, taking half the remaining group to CDG, officially ending the bike trip. 28 people x 350km (+/- given some shortcuts, skipped rides, extra rides) is about 10,000 km with zero real accidents, getting lost, or snafus. Wow. My favorite part was seeing everyone congregate (usually with wine) - from that first day in the park, by the rivers to swim or watch the sunset, in the morning as we rolled out, in the grand hotel lobby on shabbat, at La Cave aux fouees and Le Clipper - and enjoying each other's company. So many smiles. A bientot toute le monde!!
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