Your cycle routes
27km (17m) loop for le P'tit Zinc
le P'tit Zinc bar and restaurant is a great starting and end point for cycles as it's a perfect rendez-vous sitting across from the Canale Latérale à la Loire and, across the canal, a entry point for the cycle route La Vélo à Loire.
This a regular route of mine. Not too strenuous, you can start by turning left and following the D955, joining the canal heading in the direction of Bannay. OR you can cross the canal and take the cycle route, pass through St Thibaut, pass the port where the large barges are moored and then join the same towpath. Personally I'd take the cycle route from the outset because it's more scenic and adds only a couple of kilometres to the route.
Once off the towpath and heading towards Saint Gemme - the Auberge is great for lunch - it's a long gentle incline for a few kilometres. Turn left at Saint Gemme towards Sury-en-Vaux and there is a joyous freewheel down the hill and a chance to catch your breath. Once in Saint Gemme, head towards Sancerre and Saint-Satur and brace yourself for a climb and hair pin bend. Be patient. Find you lowest gear and then pat yourself on the back if you didn't get dismount Thereafter, it's plain sailing (or cycling). This route assumes you don't want to take the short cut climbing up towards Sancerre. But instead taking the flat route back to Ménétréol.
26.7km (17m) Thauvenay/Pouilly/Tracy/Saint-Satur/Ménétréol
Another pleasant bimble riding an anti-clockwise and again southwards towards la Charité. Relatively flat and you have the choice of where you join the cycle path that takes you to Pouilly. At Pouilly your then follo the river back with the railway on your right, cross the railway and head towards Tracy. Two options when approaching approaching Tracy. Fork left to Tracy and take in the château (and sharp climb out of the village). Turn right and go around Tracy with a more comfortable climb.
I completed this in 1hr16 mins in 31 degree heat.