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Day 69 – Clairac to Fumel

Monday July 11, 2011, 80 km (50 miles) – Total so far: 2,590 km (1,609 miles)

This was our first day following the river Lot. It was more interesting and scenic than the canal.

It was also our longest ride yet at 85km. This is because of our stupidity in turning down a campsite because it was full of motorhomes. We just couldn’t bear the thought of camping in that type of campground again after the nice little campgrounds over the last few days.

So at 5pm we decided to push on to a campground 7km up the road. The problem was, the campground 7km up the road was on the other side of the river and to reach it we could have to backtrack 18km! So we had no choice but to push on in the mid 30 degree heat.

We finally made to to a campground with a campsite right beside the river – our most scenic camp yet. How is this for an awesome place to camp?

They also had a pool, so the first thing we did was go for a dip to get our body temperature down. It was divine.

Day 68 – Lagruere to Clairac

Sunday July 10, 2011, 44 km (27 miles) – Total so far: 2,510 km (1,560 miles)

We woke to a damp morning and the rain was still pissing on our tent. Speaking of which, we stayed in bed as long as possible before our bladders finally forced us out of our tent.

We set up a tarp for shelter so we could at least eat our breakfast and pack up in a kind of dry manner.

Thankfully by the time we packed up the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to break through. It was a gentle and pleasant, if slightly boring cycle along the canal.

We decided to break away from the canal and get onto the Lot river and follow that. The thing was that we missed the turn off to The Lot river and ended up pushing our bikes up a very steep hill and going cross country. A strenuous ride but kind of nice once we got to the top.

The downhill run was a lot more fun and we found a fantastic campground overlooking the river for only 6 euros and only one other couple camping there. This is sooo much better than the crowded, overpriced coastal campgrounds full of motorhomes and people in self contained units thinking they are camping!

View from our camp:

Day 64 – Creon to Melhan-sur-Garonne

Wednesday July 6, 2011, 65 km (40 miles) – Total so far: 2,386 km (1,482 miles)

Today we cycled along an old railway line which has been converted to cycle paths. The cycling was wonderful and flat.

Big scary tunnel to cycle through.

Luckily it was well lit but would have been scary if the lights went out.

We are now on the canal path which goes about 200 kms to Toulouse.

We stayed in a campground in Melhan-sur-Garonne for only 6 euros. Makes a pleasant change from the expensive coastal resorts.

We went into the night markets. Mike ordered a plate of eels. It was putrid, but he seemed to enjoy it.

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Day 63 – Bordeaux to Creon Click to display route

Tuesday July 5, 2011, 31 km (20 miles) – Total so far: 2,321 km (1,442 miles)

We spent the morning in Bordeaux and headed off around 1pm. It was a slow start to the day. We stopped at Decathlon for Mike to get a new mirror for his bike. He also picked up some togs because for some reason, boardshorts arent allowed in the campground swimming pools. weird.

It was a nice day of flat cycling through vineyards.

We did a short 31 kms and stopped at a campground in Creon.

Day 62 – Mios to Bordeaux

Monday July 4, 2011, 57 km (35 miles) – Total so far: 2,290 km (1,423 miles)

It was a shitty day cycling along main roads to get into Bordeaux. It was another hot day and we picked up the pace a bit to get through the main roads as quickly as possible.

We arrived in Bordeaux at 4pm and it was so noisy. We had spent the last 10 weeks cycling through quiet forest trails so were a bit overwhelmed by the noise of it all. The sirens just wouldn’t shut up! If it werent so late in the day we would have cycled straight back out of there, but instead we headed for the nearest hotel.

We spent the afternoon wandering around the old city and went for dinner at a steak restaurant called L’Entrecote. There is only one dish on the restaurant and that is steak and chips. I love the idea of it, not having to decide what to order. As well as that – we had to queue to get in, and within minutes the restaurant was full. An interesting experience.

Day 61 – Bicarrosse to Mios

Sunday July 3, 2011, 46 km (29 miles) – Total so far: 2,233 km (1,387 miles)

The GPS was wanting to send us up the coast again, but we forced it to head a different way and we ended up in a town called Mios, with a campground right beside the river.

We discovered later that there was a cycle path to get here.

Day 60 – Mimizan to Bicarrosse

Saturday July 2, 2011, 56 km (35 miles) – Total so far: 2,187 km (1,359 miles)

Another hot day. We stayed at a campground on the way down for only 10 euro, but now the price had more than doubled to 22 euros! And the campground next door was 35 euros. Ridiculous when you just want to out up a tent for the night. We managed to find a camp for 17 euros. Still pretty expensive but it’s the price you pay for camping during school holidays.

Day 59 – Soustons to Mimizan

Friday July 1, 2011, 74 km (46 miles) – Total so far: 2,131 km (1,324 miles)

We really enjoyed backtracking this section of the coast as it was sunny and warm, whereas on the way down it was raining. We did 74 kms this day as we just wanted to continue riding as the day was so pleasant.

We stayed at the same campground in Mimizan as we did on the way down. It was cheap and empty, which was unexpected due to it being the first day of the school holidays.

Probably the quietest night in a campground yet.