Castles between Le Lignon and La Loire

The ride

From Poncins you roll out along the Lignon, then follow the Loire and the Mare before the Vizézy joins the story. Two castles, Montrouge and la Pierre, break up the middle stretch, and the loop closes past the Domaine de Combe. Of the 55.7 km, most runs unpaved, so the surface keeps changing under your wheels. Back in Poncins, you've strung four rivers and three castles into one ride.