Day 5 - Saumur to Tours 87kms

 A big day on the bike today in 32 degree heat with a furnace rating headwind.  If I'm dealing with those conditions, happy to have all day to do it and be in France!

I dried out my tent after 4 thunderstorms during the night.  Very happy to say, not a drip inside the tent at all - winning.

I had two direction options today - north or south of the river.  I opted for South and set off over the bridge into the downtown area to find it buzzing with amazing markets - clothing and Nick backs and then food and cafes.  I wandered for half an hour before heading along the river out of town.  I would highly recommend Saumur for a 2&3 day stay and wish I had stayed longer.

About 10 KMs out of town, the cycle route turned off the river with an arrow up a steep narrow hill.  I was able to ride about half of it and as I pushed my bike to the top, could see that the road went into a cave!  

The Souzay Champigny village dates back to the 1400's and features a range of houses with the facades on the outside and the rest of the building dug as caves into the cliff face.  The Eurovelo route has been so thoughtfully created as it often takes you to pedestrian and cyclist access only areas.  I meandered through the village, bright with flower boxes and amazingly most of these homes are lived in or restaurants or hotels.

I missed a sign and found myself climbing up through vineyards and saw a sign to Chateau Yvonne so followed the signs to see the chateau and vineyard.  I thought I could find my way back but faffed for about an hour with beautiful views from the vineyards.  

Incredible cliff homes

Beautiful home overlooking the Loire river, right on the cycle path

Finally a water tap outside a church 

I found my way back down to the river and co to ued my journey.  Being a Saturday the volume of weekend cyclists with small over ight packs was significant.  Passing groups, couples and families every 10 mins or so.  I struggled to find water taps and would be an improvement to the excellent network of well signed cycle specific paths.  Cyclists were alerting others if they located water anywhere.  I was completely out and spotted an Italian couple refilling their bottles at a church.  

The French were out enjoying their Saturday with picnics, swimming, canoeing, standup paddleboarding, horseriding, cafe lunches.  Got caught up in a brass band festival marching along the river on the cycle path!

So many out canoeing on the river today

Cobbles - so quaint till you have to ride on them!

I arrived at my apartment to find it was located at the top of a 1km.lomg steep climb.  Red faced and hungry at 7.15pm at night.  A shower and a huge drink of water.  I googled restaurants and saw there was a 24hr pizza place 1km.away.. off I rode to pick up a pizza.. I definitely wasn't expecting this!  Fabulous pizza in 3 mins.  Amazing.