The Journée Orléanaise Cyclotouristique begins at the Salle du Canal in Combleux, east of Orléans. Sign-on occurs in the morning, with the rides concluding by early afternoon. This is a cyclotourist day, not a traditional race. Participants select from mountain bike, road bike, or gravel routes. Distances vary from accessible 20 km and 25 km options to more challenging rides up to 110 km. The entry fee is intentionally kept low, and those under 18 can participate without charge, regardless of whether they possess a cycling license.
The routes traverse small roads and paths surrounding the Forêt d'Orléans and the Val de Loire. The day focuses on exploring the countryside rather than competing against the clock. The mountain bike offering includes a longer route with a guided segment, and a family-friendly accompanied route is also available. Orléans Cyclotouriste is the organizing body, and its sustainable-development designation aligns with the event's nature: a local cycling club guiding diverse groups of riders through forests, country lanes, and terrain along the Loire, all departing from the same canal-side location.