To Lourdes

The night at the Col was rather cool an in the morning clouds were hanging low. On able to keep warm on the bike I took my raincoat and wore gloves. I did not cycle faster then 50 km/h, to prevent my bicycle becoming unstable and hard to steer. The pass road was quiet, just some cyclists on light racing bikes. The route was along small villages and green meadows with goats or cows.
TransFrance_201407306160In the Garonne valley I had to decide for the high passes or the lower route in the northern Pyrenees. Because it was still very cloudy and I did not like the risk, cycling through cold rain or having no views at all, I opted for the northern route (as planned by Komoot). This does not mean, that this is a horizontal road, in contrary I had to cross a lot of valleys with steep roads. At least I could see more than clouds and in the afternoon the sun started shining here.TransFrance_201407306173
Near Bagnère de Bigorre some roads with higher traffic were unavoidable, but there were no problems. The last kilometers for Lourdes, the road was straight and smooth.
I went to a camping near to the railway station, so I can walk to the center of Lourdes tomorrow easily.
Distance: 100 km.

 

To Col de Portet d`Aspet

Last night there were heavy rain showers and they did not really stop in the morning. I had to pack a wet tent. The old railway track, I followed up to Mirepoix was barely visible after the town, but I tried to stay in the neighborhood and used little roads as far as possible. In Pamiers I followed the river until I arrived at the next old railway, now in use as a Voie Verte. I cycled  over the Viaduc de Vernaioul. That bridge has a lot of high arches.TransFrance_201407296144 This cycle path was in a much better condition as the previous one. There are also three tunnels on this part. The Voie Verte ends just before Saint Girons. In the town itself there are no indications, where the cycle path continues,  so I decided to use the Komoot variant to Moulis. That meant a nice climb at the end of the day. On 1070 m I found a nice camping at the col.
Distance today: 117 km

 

To Mirepoix

The night was dry and windy, so my washed clothes were completely dry and I could pack them in the planners.
My first part were the 6 km back to the Canal. Then from Argens-Minervois the path near the Canal was very narrow and the roots of trees and and the wind from the west slowed down speed to 11 km/h. TransFrance_201407286110Near Last Condomime it started to rain. Not much, but enough to use rain clothes. At Marseillette the cycle path became wider and more comfortable.
In Carcassonne you have to find the cycle path yourself, because the small signs are hidden somewhere.
After Carcassonne two English-speaking ladies stopped me. They were disoriented though they had a rough map.TransFrance_201407286127
Near Faux I left the Canal and started Top Club for the frist pass: col de la Malpère, just about 400 m. The Roadster in Myanmar route have very sparse traffic, which is good
On Moulin Neuf I change to a former railroad. The name voie verte is correct: the green grass overgrowths the path and some 4 km later it is muddy.
I pitched my tent at a camp site at Mirepoix.
Today about 114 km.