A week and a bit in France

[rich p]

I have a week booked in a gite just north of Beziers with 4 other friends. I've just decided to drive down 9 days early and do a bit of touring round the area. The last time I went to the Cevennes was 25 years ago and I wasn't on a bike, so I may spend the time pootling round there with a tent. The alternative is to divert anywhere else on the drive south and do another area.
Hmmm, food for thought and input welcomed!

 

[psmiffy]

Ardeche, Tarn Lot - dont be so needy

 

[Dave Davenport]

9 days; ideal for a Chanel to Med ride!

 

[Manu3172]

There is a lot to do around there: Canal du Midi (from Toulouse to Beziers, 200km), Aude (with lots of famous castles such as Queribus, Peyrepertuse and Monsegur), Carcassonne....
I live in Toulouse so I'm familiar with the region Don't hesitate to ask questions

 

[mmmmartin]

I would suggest you ride down, might not be your cup of tea, obvs, but you will have a week with your mates there anyway so why spend an additional nine days touring on your own in the same area?
Riding down would be a brilliant way to see France, which is a lovely country in which to cycle tour.

 

[rich p]

I'll be driving down with my wife and I'll be bringing back 2 people afterwards, so cycling down isn't an option. Also I have done that before so I don't really need to do it again.
The week in the gite will be with non-cyclists. I guess I'm being needy, as psmiffy says! I'll probably do the backwaters of the Ardeche and the Cevennes having looked at a map now.

 

[bigjim]

There is a lot to do around there: Canal du Midi (from Toulouse to Beziers, 200km), Aude (with lots of famous castles such as Queribus, Peyrepertuse and Monsegur), Carcassonne....
I live in Toulouse so I'm familiar with the region Don't hesitate to ask questions

The Midi is hard work though on a lightweight bike. Garonne much nicer.
Whats with all those temporary bin bag shacks set up along the Garonne as you enter Toulouse?

 

[asterix]

The Midi is hard work though on a lightweight bike. Garonne much nicer.
Whats with all those temporary bin bag shacks set up along the Garonne as you enter Toulouse?

Aren't you allowed to use the towpath?

 

[bigjim]

Aren't you allowed to use the towpath?

No. You have to fit those balloon tyres and pedal down the middle.

 

[rich p]

FWIW, I've done my time on rivers and canals(including a couple of sections of the Midi) and I find them utterly boring after a day or two. I prefer hills so the Cevenne and the massif should make me, if not Mrs rp, happy.

 

[Dave Davenport]

FWIW, I've done my time on rivers and canals(including a couple of sections of the Midi) and I find them utterly boring after a day or two. I prefer hills so the Cevenne and the massif should make me, if not Mrs rp, happy.

With you on that one Rich, we spent days riding canals when we did a tour of Flanders a couple of years ago, it got very tedious.
Have a great time whatever you end up doing.

 

[bigjim]

I rode the Danube a couple of years ago down to Vienna. It does get boring after a while. From Vienna we turned left up into the Czech Republic for a change. This entailed days of climbing in the hot sun with little shade. We eventually circled back to the Danube.
We were so glad to get back to the flat sheltered canal.

 

[Grosey]

hi, was thinking about doing a ride from atlantic to med using the tow paths, over about 10-12 days. assuming 11 days ride averaging about 65 miles. just started looking into this so any opinions/help/info muchly appreciated. my wife suggested it for a 10-14 day holiday.

what is the surface generally like and is 65 miles reasonable for about 6hrs easy riding or is the terrain (thinking mainly roots) to harsh for a c/x bike? just bought myself a genesis, Croix de fer for local road/trail use. the mrs is thinking of selling her winter trainer and cheapish mtb to get a similar bike for road/trail light touring use.
after reading these posts, it sounds a bit boring to follow the towpaths, so a mix of road and towpath/trails sounds a good option- which in turn sounds good for my cx tourer.
do you think the towpaths are a bit monotonous mile after mile?
we were thinking of taking camping kit and all for a first self supported tour.
Thanks in advance for tips, info
Matt

 

[rich p]

@Grosey
I believe that the Canal du Midi is pretty rough although the bits I did were okay. Only you can decide, or find out, if towpaths are boring. There are different opinions on here of course.
Vernon and Snorri like them, whereas I find them dull after a day or two. They're certainly good therapy though, if you've had a few lumpy days.
I'd suggest a mix of road and path and see how you and your wife feel.

 

[psmiffy]

To the west of the the Seuil de Naurouze (the high point of the canal) the cycleway tow path is very well surfaced - however, to the east of there it deteriorates - bits and pieces around Castelnaudary and further east as you approach the med are well surfaced - but tbh it is best to take to the road - and more interesting

The midi is a nice ride if you are positive gradient adverse - but it is for want of a better word - boring - the first time I used it I was going northwest to Bordeaux and after a while i found it necessary to toddle off into the hills on either side to add a bit of variety - since then I tend to use the midi as a simple quick way of crossing between the med and atlantic on the way to the beginning or end of tours