A Vintage Bike Ride In France

photos by Kelly

This past June I found myself on a vintage bike ride through the Loire Valley region of France: the Anjou Vélo Vintage.

Along with my good friend Kelly, her French boyfriend Sebastien, Jenny and Peter from the London Bike Kitchen, and about 2,500 other well-dressed cyclists.

Despite quaffing obscene amounts of the delicious local champagne sparkling wine the night before, our bike gang managed to ride about 30 kilometers on vintage steeds (lent to us very generously by the organizers of the Anjou Vélo Vintage).

Highlights from the day included a déjeuner sur l'herbe on the lawn of a gorgeous Loire Valley chateau.

That afternoon, a storm slowly rolled in. The skies over the river became more dramatic.

Even though the temperature dropped and rain was on its way, we still continued to ride. I felt like I had found a place where I truly belonged, even if it was just for a weekend. Everyone was so excited to dress up and ride a bike. And they weren't going to let a little rain spoil their fun.

We reached the end of the ride right before the heaviest part of the storm came in.

The Anjou Vélo Vintage ride happens in June in the cute little town of Saumur. Tickets to the event cost around €28.