Day 7 - Briare to Chateauneuf

We were surrounded by fields of rape seed for much of today's ride. Rape seed is the 3rd largest source of vegetable oil worldwide, and is the second largest source of protein meal worldwide, according to Wikipedia. 

While often used synonymously with canola oil, the term "canola" refers to a specific group of rapeseed cultivars which are especially prized for use as human and animal food. The golden fields of rape seed contribute much to the beauty of this region. 

Leaving Briare, we also left the Briare Canal behind and about 7 miles into today's journey, we reached the magnificent Loire River. 

The Loire valley is known for its many chateaux. We were delighted to visit the Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire, which is located on our route, the Euro Velo 3 (EV-3). This chateau was originally the home of Maximilien de Béthune, the Duc of Sully. 

I particularly loved the moat!

We crossed the Loire on this lovely bridge, with a span of a quarter of a mile. 

One of the most notable features of today's ride isn't easy to capture in a photo. We were riding against a formidable headwind for almost all of our ride. The temperature was 46° when we left Briare -- warm perhaps for Minnesotans, but chilly for Californians like me. Combined with the wind, this made brisk conditions, but most definitely not a brisk ride!  I'm used to downshifting gears for terrain, or even for surface (pavement, cobblestones, gravel or mud), but downshifting for the wind?!?!  It was a battle royale!

We are happy to be charging devices and escaping the wind at our campground in Chateauneuf!