wineries ride: sometimes no wine on ride

[ms pepperpot]

I don't think my post is that relevant hear as I'm in a different continent, but my other half and me frequently drive from the south of spain to the UK. when we've done this we've stopped in various wine areas. This has made me really want to cycle some of these areas -eg Bordeaux or the Loire (my preference). I love the idea of a few days cycling round the chateaux of the loire. the issue is - what do do with all the wine my other half would want to buy?

[shootingstar]

I don't think my post is that relevant hear as I'm in a different continent, but my other half and me frequently drive from the south of spain to the UK. when we've done this we've stopped in various wine areas. This has made me really want to cycle some of these areas -eg Bordeaux or the Loire (my preference). I love the idea of a few days cycling round the chateaux of the loire. the issue is - what do do with all the wine my other half would want to buy?

I would love to hear more about cycling experiences in Europe! That area of France has always interested me. We don't seem to get enough different descriptions in TE forums about cycling outside of North America. I always enjoyed reading such discussions..and dreamin'

By the way, my partner was in London with another guy (and several other European cities, plus Germany) for a month this past spring. He was quite impressed by the highly active cycling advocacy work in London and did meet with some folks there on their work. They did do some cycling, but focus was more to meet and chat up with advocates.

For instance my partner, who has relatives in Germany and did do some more loaded cycling touring on his own this year by the Rhine in Black Forest region, said that in Germany, there are hardly any wineries have restaurants nor cafes attached.

He did sample wine from his relative that he visited...since there is a family inn and restaurant. There is family vineyard down the road that is managed by other people who pick the grapes for family to produce wine.


Yea, right...why haven't I gone cycling in Germany yet..since I have an beloved translator... one day life and timing will be still ok .. hopefully. Except he wants to cycle somewhere else different...

[ms pepperpot]

It's pretty rare for vinyards in Europe to have restaurants attached, or even be easy to visit. Certainly in France it would be very unusual, it can be quite hard to visit anywhere that actually makes wine.

The UK is a bit different, I think because our wine industry is mostly much newer. My partner and I have visited one by bike and I'd like to maybe spend a weekend touring round a couple.

[ms pepperpot]

As a slight derail, I agree that the cycling advocacy here is pretty good. Generally UK cyclists tend to complain about how poor it is for cyclists here, but I think that's because we compare it with places like the Netherlands and Denmark. I've just got back from a couple of weeks in the south of spain (not cycling) and I was struck by how few cyclists there were compared to how many people cycle here everyday.