Published by Lyn on 27 May 2015
Get your tweeds out for the Anjou Vélo Vintage, a weekend of retro biking fun in the Loire Valley.
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The Anjou Vélo Vintage is something of an institution in the Loire Valley. Now in its 5th year, the weekend is a celebration of vintage cycling in all its glory. It will take place this year from June 13-14 in Saumur.
There is a very good-natured dress code that states: "Elegance doesn’t include perfection but pertinence. Whatever your dressing style might be, the spirit of Anjou Vélo Vintage stands in the combination of your outfit and your bicycle."
There are also rules governing the type of wheels you are able to take to the road on: pre-1987, with no speed switch on the handlebar and no toe clips.
"Your bike might be either authentic or athletic. Replicas, single speed, American cruiser and fixies are also allowed," says the helpful online guidance. If your bike doesn't meet the requirements, you can rent one for the event (book early though).
There will be a festival village in the centre of Saumur all weekend, as well as five themed cycling trails ranging from 20km to 90km. (You need to book ahead for these group rides).
The Anjou Vélo Vintage almost didn't happen this year. The event had previously been organised by the Conseil General of Maine-et-Loire, which announced at the end of last year that it was unable to sponsor the event again. The city of Saumur stepped in to buy the rights to the event and has organised this year's festivities in partnership with the local community and the Saumurois cyclotourist association.
So head along if you can to support a true community event that is also a fun celebration of cycling.
For full information and super photos and videos, see www.anjou-velo-vintage.com
(A big thanks to Letsie from Le Clos de la Rose (bike-friendly self-catering accommodation just south-west of Saumur) for keeping me up to date with festival goings on.
Make the most of the weekend ...
See our bike hire listings for bike rental options in Pays de la Loire.
For accommodation ideas, see our Where to stay section or browse the map below.
I've included options in Pays de la Loire, where Saumur is located, as well as further east into the Loire Valley (Centre department).
For information on trains to the Loire, see voyages-sncf.com (there is a special bike train running throughout summer). See also our information on taking bikes on French trains.