3 July – Tours

3 July – Tours

Happy to report that we have had no mechanical mishaps today.

We traveled 95km from Blois to Tours, including some time riding around Tours.

Having become accustomed to an easy to navigate route – we were surprised when the bike track signs disappeared just before Mosnes, leaving Kris to navigate with the map. We picked up signs later saying the track we were on was provisional. None-the-less we found our way to Amboise (where there are two more chateau), through fields and small country towns. We saw some ripe wheat being harvested by a combine harvester.

After Amboise we lost the official track again, onto another marked bike track which went inland through a pleasant forested area. Kris navigated (sometimes off the map we had), to get us back on the bike track going into Tours.

In Tours we had another experience of lack of sign posting. Usually the Office de Tourisme is very clearly sign-posted in French towns and easy to find, being at the center. In Tours it was not sign posted at all and we failed to find it by going to the Cathedral and other central locations. It is a huge and busy city and we spent about an hour riding around asking people before we found the office. It is next to the railway station and has a neon sign outside – so very visible once you get there! We saw most of the sights while we were searching for the tourist office – there are some huge impressive buildings – especially the Cathedral, railway station and Hotel de Ville.

We have a hotel near the center of the city so had a chance to explore the old city in the evening. It is very lively with lots of places to eat and drink, all with outside tables – though the beer is expensive.

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