Duration
Seven nights
When?
May-June 2023
Why?
Ile de Ré is the perfect location for leisurely cycling!
During a rally in Germany many years ago, I met Joyce, aged 75, who was still riding her bike, together with husband Ian, of a similar age. Having always wanted a bike but never owned or learned how to ride one, I did a quick calculation and realised that I still had 20-25 years of cycling opportunities!
Inspired by Joyce, I bought a bike and at the age of 55, proceeded to learn some riding skills. I’m still not a confident cyclist, so I tend to look for off-road routes wherever possible.
When Joe suggested we visit Ile de Ré, a place we’d been to before, I agreed readily, because we could see the island from a new perspective using its network of cycle routes.
Our tour began when we drove through La Rochelle to the toll bridge (costing €8 in the low season) which links this strange, distinctively shaped island to the mainland. There’s one place where the island is barely 50m wide.
Our campsite was almost at the farthest point of the island, at Les Portes-en-Ré. After the friendly check-in at Camping Seasonova, we were left
