Training Log Archive: LOST_Richard

Into Montpellier from Sete.

Interesting challenge to find our way out of Sete. First to get down from the top of the mountain and through the port / city. With lots of major roads, canals and some roadworks thrown in, they are rebuilding one of the bridges, which I had identified that as a good one to cross! So did a few circuits of the city to eventually find a road heading out of town.

Total for the trip 1258km

After getting out of Sete, we headed along the coast on a decent bike path, past the back dune lagoons, where there were flamingos grazing in the water, which was pretty neat. After leaving Robyn and Bruce on the outskirts of Montpellier we found our way through the suburbs to our B&B just on the edge of the old town.

Had a wander around the city and a few alleyways, with tomorrow to explore the city further we did not check it out too much. But looks to be an interesting a busy place.

C • Flamingos! 2

1212km With a day into Montpellier to go

Nice ride along th back of the dunes to Sete, if you looked away from the string of cabins lining the path / road

Sete is set on a hill and we have a B&B that required going over the top of the hill to get to it. Great spot with a pool perched on the side of the hiill overlookjng the ocean, old town and harbour.

Worth the push up the hill which was too steep to ride with full panniers,I only made it half way. Bruce retained the spotty jersey and made it to the top.

Total 1180km

Into Adge where the Canal du Midi starts or finishes depending on which way you look at things. Followed the canal in parts and back onto some dirt rooty sections but generally easy going and with a short day we were not rushing.

Diverted to the coast hoping for a nice coastal village but got more of the wall to wall tourism experience with long line of pizza and kebab cafes between the camping parks which are dominated by cabins. Still had a nice pizza for lunch before the last section into town.

Adge was founded by the Phoenicians but there is little evidence of their time, the city having been fought over a sacked a few times. Still and interesting and old town a bit away from the ocean so not dominated by the tourism development. The cathedral is built from black volcanic rock and looms large and dark over the river, also it was built as fortified which added to its unusual appearance.

Really nice dinner on a deck across the river.

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To the Mediterranean - arrived in Valras Plage and had the choice of campsites strung along the coast. Mixed in with monster truck parks, paintball, water slides and even the actual beach!

After a comprehensive survey we ened up back at the 2nd one that we checked out. Had a nice pool and a small bar where we were able to see the Euro 2106 France / Iceland game and a restaurant a few hundred meters away surving all you can eat moules frties which went down well.

First part of the ride we were on and then away from the canal but mostly flat a strong tail wind made it a easy day

Total 1145km

Day without panniers to Lezignan-Corbiers and return.

Had a nice lunch beside the Canal with a slow cooked pork dish, Nicole had some sausage.

Total 1076km

Hope to make it to the Med tomorrow

To Homps / Olonzac

Total 1040km

Yay, over the 1,000km for the trip with day along the Canal, mixed quality path mostly smooth but still slow going on the soft gravel and rocky trail. Skipped to the raod for the last 1km and nice to spi along at 23-25km/hr

Funky Chambre d"Hotes in a Antique (Brocante) shop

Hot day so a welcome stop and shower.

To the Supermarket, lots of nice salad and salmon for dinner on the terrace in the Chambre - nice evening