French Gardens 05: Chinon to Montbazon

 

There are no gardens on today’s route.  But it is a beautiful route, sometimes going through vineyards and sometimes with tree-covered paths.  The roads continue as smooth as glass. 

We all take a lunch break at Sache, which was Alexander Calder’s home. (See art in town square)  Lunch is in a bar.  The restaurant part doesn’t open until noon but the bar sure does.  I’ve often witnessed people in Ireland drinking before lunch; I believe this is the first time I’ve seen it in France (see photo below).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our destination tonight is the Chateau d’Artigny, an expensive and exclusive place.  Below you see Brenda climbing amongst the trees on the way to the chateau and then the first glimpse of it.  This is not a historic building; it was built in this century.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE TODAY'S ROUTE.

WHO’S RIDING?

Rich and Marianne Reinecke have been married for 35 years, live in California where they raised their 2 children, a son age 29 and a daughter 25.  Rich owned an electrical wholesale company that sold supplies to contractors.  He sold this business and retired in 2009.  Marianne has studied both landscape and interior design but spent many years looking after the family and the kids’ varied interests.  Their son was involved in horse competition and Marianne also participated in dressage. 

Marianne is also a gourmet cook and because of her studies in design she has put her personal touch on their home over the years.

Although this is their first BAC bike ride, last year they rode in the San Juan Islands off the Washington State coast.  Their next biking adventure will be to ride 100 miles in Holland, Michigan later this summer.  A unique aspect of this 100 mile ride is that the total elevation gain is under 1000 ft.  That is a pretty flat ride; however, riding 100 miles is quite an accomplishment!