The Grand Tour of France 2022

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4^th September  Day six

We stop at a supermarche on our way to Chenonceaux, further along the Loire Valley and then at Azay Le Rideau, to grab a coffee at a lovely side street biscuiterie. Delicious coffee! The town has a huge chateau which we didn’t visit. The town’s camping-car park Aire confused us initially. You have to take a ticket and then pay at the exit barrier. But it doesn’t make that clear, so lots of motorhomers are looking bemused this morning!

At Le Moulin Fort campsite right on the banks of the Loire, we are now trying to work out why my Bosch 500 powerpack e-bike battery has completely died. It refuses to charge. It refuses to start. Its dead! As a parrot! However, Maggie insists we go on a bike ride this afternoon, so she will be on electric and I will be non-electric on my heavy E-bike. This is not going to end well!

At Le Moulin Fort campsite right on the banks of the Loire, we are now trying to work out why my Bosch 500 powerpack e-bike battery has completely died. It refuses to charge. It refuses to start. Its dead! As a parrot! However, Maggie insists we go on a bike ride this afternoon, so she will be on electric and I will be non-electric on my heavy E-bike. This is not going to end well!

Its now 1900 and we are enjoying the sunshine outside. Our pitch is slightly cramped. The campsite is arranged as a series of cul-de-sacs running down to the river and at the end circular bit are around 7 pitches rotating around a centra light and tap area. Not much hedging between but plenty of trees. Just manage to see the river pass by over vans ahead. Obviously, the premium riverside pitches are booked out for months in advance.

A 14-mile round trip to Montrichard earlier this afternoon. My knees are protesting! Moreover, sat outside, the mosquitoes are on the attack. I will have to retreat inside rapidly if they continue mauling me like this. I’m on the internet trying to source a new 500 powerpack. There are very few available on Amazon and at a stupid price 800 euros. The campsite have kindly agreed to receive an amazon parcel for us should we order the battery off that site. I am also researching and emailing all the local e-bike shops in the Loire Valley in the forlorn hope that one of them might be able to repair the battery or have one for sale.  I love cycling and I adore my e-bike. I am suffering a crushing sense of disappointment. We are only four days in to the trip. This is a bitter blow! However, my wonderful, amazing wife did a great sacrifice this afternoon. She cycled in non-electric mode out of sympathy for my plight. Well almost non-electric. Apparently, she loves me but not so much so that she didn’t ‘cheat’ a little on some of the small uphill sections! 

Helpful points:

Route: D751 to Azay le Rideau – A85 to Jct 11 – D31 and D976 to Chenonceaux

Distance: 75 miles

Fuel: 60 Euros top up

Campsite: 38 euros