September 11, 1997
To Carcassonne
This was a short, fairly strenuous ride. The first 20 km were steadily uphill, to the summit of the Black Mountains. The climb, though long, was quite pleasant, following a stream through deep, quiet woods the entire way. The summit opened into expansive farmlands with large views to the southwest. After picnicking at the summit we embarked on the descent - which proved to be disappointingly slow and difficult, starting with a very steep and winding stretch over a packed gravel surface. It was a great relief to strike pavement again half-way down.
Carcassonne is every bit the marvel that its reputation suggests. We spent all afternoon there, after unloading at our hotel just a block behind the walls. We were fortunate in arriving at the same time that an English tour was just commencing - the animated, enthusiastic young female guide added much to our understanding and appreciation of the site. For dinner we ate at a riverside restaurant overlooking the old city. It was a wonderful location for enjoying the view in the waning light of the day; but the salads were embarrassingly huge. Neither of us made a significant dent in the heaps placed before us.
Today's ride: 35 miles (56 km)
Total: 483 miles (777 km)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 0 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 0 |