Nicky done, and a great dinner location. I have had numerous similar dinners with fantastic views, but never on a bike tour, as i’ve Arrived at the destination from a business trip. But still, I look fondly on the overseas trip and the adventure ordering in a foreign tongue (for me, at least) in France and conversing with the restaurant owner(s) in French . You journal brings back great memories, thanks.

How brave of you to crawl under the fences and venture into uncharted territory!

So glad you got to go through the tunnel. We have done it both way, a different times of the year, and the tunnel is much better. Hope the end part of your tour continues to be enjoyable. Bon Courage. The Grampies

I'm enjoying your ride! My husband and I rode the Rhone Valley in 2006, starting in Munich and heading for the Med. It seems much has changed since then. There were no bicycle routes, for one thing. And we encountered the Tour de France in Valence - the story is in my journal.
Good luck for the final stage of your tour!

Whether forbidden or not, I would have to walk it.

I, too, wonder if you are supposed to walk or are forbidden to walk your bicycle!

Based on our experience with the Via Rhona out of Lyon this spring may we offer a piece of advice? Take the train. You were wise to train from Valence in, and frankly we would suggest a train north to near Macon as a really good option, especially if the heat continues. After Macon there are two good options on either side of the Rhone. We rode the western route through Cluny, but have heard that there is a nice greenway on the eastern bank. Bon courage. Steve and Dodie Miller, the Grampies

Did you then smell like fish?

Steve,
Thanks for the insight and info on the Canal du Midi. I had read your journal entries about the conditions of the trail - I can't believe what it must have been like when it was all mud!
We did decide to take the train from Carcassonne to Beziers to avoid part of the Canal track and make up some time.
I also took your advice on taking trains in and out of Lyon
I'm slowly catching up with the journal - only a week behind. Not sure how you do it, but I enjoy your entries.

True on both counts!

Sounds like a great day - but not sure it was a "rest" day with a program like that!

Hi Susan,
Wow! I ate in the very same restaurant on my recent tour. We really did cross each other's trails on our respective tours.
Cheers,
Keith

Just rechecked in our blog (Grampies Tour de France) and the relevant days seem to be 35 and 36. Good luck with the rest of the Canal. And the bit after that as well, it can also be a bit tricky.

First off, the Canal du Midi is appalling from where you were today right through to the end. Secondly, you CAN find somewhat quieter D (departmental) roads that go in the right direction, and it is really worthwhile to try to locate them. The ones with the higher numbers, 9xx or 8xx are too busy, but the single or double digit roads are usually not too bad. Check out our most recent blog for the ways we rode that section, it might be of some help.

Been there😊