Biking Your Way through the Loire -- Once you're in Tours, you can rely on public transport to see much of the Loire. You can also rent a bicycle -- the region is relatively flat. Amstercycles, 5 rue du Rempart, Tours (tel. 02-47-61-22-23), rents mountain bikes and all-purpose bikes for 13€ to 21€ ($17-$27) per day. A deposit (usually a credit card imprint) is required. The shop is only 46m (150 ft.) from the rail station. A full-day excursion that may interest some experienced mountain bikers involves a 35km (22-mile) jaunt from Tours to Chenonceaux, following a rugged path that for the most part meanders beside the Cher River. Amstercycles provides a map for this itinerary and advice about how best to navigate the bumps. The railway station at Tours doesn't check baggage, so the shop guards bags. The service, available to customers and noncustomers, costs 2€ ($2.60) per day and is available from May to September Monday to Saturday 9am to 12:30pm and 2 to 7pm, Sunday 6 to 7pm only. Off-season hours are erratic.
An excellent itinerary involves riding 17km (11 miles) west of Tours to the Jardins de Villandry. The relatively flat and scenic road takes you along the bank of the Cher River. From here, continue 8km (5 miles) to the Château de Langeais, also a lovely route. If you want to head east from Tours, consider the 24km (15-mile) excursion to Amboise. This route is more densely trafficked and not as bucolic. The tourist office provides maps.
