Stage 3 Begins! From the source of the River Loire to Orléans – about 500 km (over 300 miles)
Day 10 and 11: 29th and 30th of May.
We leave the source of the River Loire and Mont-Jean-de-Guerbière behind head down,
bar a few significant hills!! – 937m (over 3000ft) of ascent to le Puy-en-Velay. The actual journey started on the 28th as our hotel was downstream from Mont-Jean-de-Guerbière
The hotel was in a tiny village in a valley amidst the wooded hills. We were rather worried that the hotel didn’t exist since we couldn’t see a house for miles as we cycled down the road.
The next day on the 28th e continued in the remote woodland climbing up with far distant vistas.
Eventually we found ourselves coming down to le Puy-en-Velay
Here Jonathan left me to find his own way back to England as I was rather slow and he wanted to get back earlier than me.
The next day, the 30th of May I set off for the Gorges de Loire. 863m of ascent.
This is where the river Loire flows through some steep-sided gorges creating some stunning views of the escarpments and steep-sided wooded hills with the river flowing through the gorge.
This is probably the most dramatic part of the upper reaches of the Loire.
At Retournaguet I turn off from the gorge as there no paths or road next to the river
up onto the Balcon de Loire. This is a high road which follows the top of the gorge
all the way to Aurec-sur-Loire which is an ancient hilltop town wher the old fortified chateau has a commanding view of the river valley.
I crossed the river on a specially designed suspension bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. Unfortunately there was no accommodation available in the ancient town so I had to content myself with views of it.
I cycled away from the river to the outskirts of Saint Etienne for night’s stay. Quite different from the river gorge, this area was a busy urban area. It was like being in a suburb of London. I had a very nice chat with some people in a pub. They were interested in my cycling trip. Whether stopping for coffee or a beer I found the people on the whole journey welcoming. During dinner a a nearby restaurant my mobile battery ran out which I hadn’t noticed as I cycled away. I got lost but an Algerian couple came to the rescue and gave me directions.