Training Log Archive: simmo

Event: The Maidens
 

Short ride today with a vicious climb at the end up to St Cirq Lapopie, the Lot Valley's answer to Rocamadour - a medeival castle on a rock high above the river valley. Wonderful old buildings, the castle is ruined but the 13th C church is heavily fortified. Our hotel (the only one in town) is on the main square, and is also the best restaurant, only open on Fri and Sat so we hastily book an outside table.

There is a festival, so we experience a band playing in the square while we have dinner, then there are fireworks on the castle and church. Ch Pineraie is on their wine list, so we have that again.

From Touzac to Cahors, basically along the valley of the Lot, but we took a detour climbing up to an escarpment for a great view over the valley in both directions at Belaye. Stopped for a couple of tastings, first one at Chateau Caiminade was excellent, with the top of range 100% malbec one of the best wines I've ever tasted. The other was less successful, they seemed not to be bothered with random visitors, and wouldn't lets us taste the more expensive wines.

Route brought us into Cahors over the Pont Valentre (13thC bridge with 3 towers - and large cobbles!). Hotel was just that, compared to the more intimate places we had been staying, but at least they pointed us in the direction of the best restaurant in the city, Le Marche where we got the last table. Great meal, with a 85% Malbec from Ch. Pineraie, very good.

Ride from Touzac to visit Chateau Bonaguil - a very impressive medeival castle, still largely intact - and the old town of Puy L'Eveque on the Lot River. Some steep hills to get to the castle, and then back to Puy. Lunch was a can of Foie Gras (kindly opened for us by the stallholder, outside the castle wall).

Puy is an interesting town, on a steep hill going back from the banks of the river, centre of one of the best areas of Cahors wine, with a tasting cellar in the centre of town (ie halfway up the hill!). Nice wine, mostly Malbec (the best ones are 100%). Back for dinner at Touzac, which was served on the river bank - duck again, but magret this time (roasted breast).

From Monpazier to Touzac. Stopped at two castles for a bit of a look, first one was closed, but the second was good - a 12th C Keep built on top of a rock. Had to detour into Fumel (not a pleasant town at all) to find a bank, then a very long climb before an equally long (and much nicer) descent to our accommodation, on the banks of the River Lot. Another warm day, the swim was appreciated. Great room and nice people - gave us dinner as nowhere in the village was open. Only problem, it was confit de canard for the 3rd day in a row.

France cycling tour in the Lot Valley. Bike was Trek 7200 (Hybrid). From Gourdon to Monpazier, probably a bit further than we wanted to do on our first day. It got very hot from about 1pm, and stayed that way until 7pm. Nice ride through wooded country, bit of a climb at the end up to our accommodation.

Event: WA MTBO Long Distance Championships