Crossing the Canal du Midi

Once I had turned north at Narbone though, the wind conditions were seriously unfavorable; I was once again pedaling down hills.

Having resolved not to go to Millau, as in the absence of a civil-engineer or other traveling companion I failed to see the point, I passed strait through Beziers (my nominal aiming point for the day). I was followed for a while by some young people in a convertible shouting "Allez, Allez" at me, after I sprinted by them up a hill.

I crossed the Canal du Midi at Agde. I suspect I could have had a rather more pleasant ride had I simply followed it from Narbone or Beziers, but I wasn't sure where it went as it bizarrely didn't appear on the map I obtained at the tourist office.

The region I passed through as I approached Carcassonne had been planted with fields of Sunflowers. Between Carcassonne and Narbone the countryside had been largely uncultivated and had a desolate look to it. After Narbone though, I had the classic French scene of vineyards on the hill sides. I had seen one or two in the area of Saint Gaudens, but this area was the first time I had come across extensive fields of grapes. It was a pleasing to reflect on the fact that I had pedaled my way through those different environments.Read more