Hi Michael -

I use power meter pedals but Robin doesn’t, so I can’t tell you how our power input compares. But I doubt the energy input is equal. I’m just a lot bigger and stronger than Robin is. What the tandem does is more like averaging our power.

But all of that is secondary to us. We see riding a tandem as an exercise in teamwork. And it’s that teamwork that appeals to us.

After all the years of riding together, we feel like a single unit pushing against the resistance of a hill or the wind. We keep getting better at it, too, which just increases the enjoyment. There’s no sense of “you vs me” to us.

And one of the big pluses is that we both get to the top of the hill at the same time!

Looking forward to your next adventure!!

Oddly, most of the restaurants in Florac are closed on Saturday night. What can you say? It’s southern France….

One of the many things that either endears us to, or enrages us with, France! It’s always a crapshoot in some of these towns. In May, we had an excellent dinner at the Logis Hotel … on a Monday! I would have never guessed that the town would be a zombie village on a Saturday. Vive la différence.

At least you had a stunning ride through the gorge on a beautiful day!

Well done! I’ve often wondered about tandems and cols - is the energy input from both parties equal and can you tell?
Bonne Route! Michael

Thanks, Scott! It looks like our run of good weather will end on Tuesday. Maybe we’ll be able to dodge the worst of it. We plan to be back in Albi on Thursday.

We loved our cycle tour along the Tarn and would highly recommend it to anyone. It is a wonderful ride and it has been great to see this area again through your blog. You have been so fortunate to have such nice weather every day. Great climbing today and I look forward to following your route plan back to Albi. Best of luck.

Hi Keith - It’s definitely a nice area! The problem is that there are so many places to chose from across the south of France. We haven’t made it to the Dordogne yet. Lots of folks like it up there too. Unfortunately we won’t be home much over the 6 weeks you’ll be here, but feel free to email me at rxfrasier at Gmail dot com if you want to connect directly.

That’s an amazing coincidence! As I read the journal entry, I remembered reading it back in May. There’s something about the sunshine up in these mountains. It’s so hot - just sucks the life out of you if you’re trying to climb a hill. Suggestions on hydration are always welcome here! :)

What a great day!

I hope it was at least a bit haunted.

I love the area you cycled through today! That is so weird about no many restaurants being open Saturday night.

Hi Rich - we are enjoying following you on your ride along the Tarn. We are flying into Barcelona on the 15th and heading north in that general direction. We are not much for long term planning but certainly looks like an area we might like to check out. We have 6 weeks so a loop north from Barcelona then over to Mallorca is our initial idea… but that could change. Safe travels!

Not an easy surface, or grade, to cycle, especially on a tandem I should think.

You’re absolutely right, Suzanne. The stretch between Albi and Millau is nice and untraveled, but not super scenic. It’s also almost entirely unpopulated. Only a couple of stores and restaurants. Robin didn’t like it much :)

The good part starts about 15km upriver from Millau and stretches to just before Ispagnac.

What a long day! But it looks like a beautiful stretch along the Tarn. I'm glad that we didn't embark on a one day out an out-and-back along the Tarn when we were in Albi. From your pictures, it looks like that part was the least interesting.

Rich,
We need to get together at some point over a beer and compare notes on 'hydration issues' .... and to raise a toast to our partners who seem to keep it together and bail us out! Our day that I'm thinking about is from last May, Saint Amboix to Port de Mont Vert, https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/gorges/day-20-saint-amboix-to-pont-de-montvert/, (almost the headwaters of the Tarn - coincidence?).

Your evening meal put our's to shame though - it looks exquisite!
We're enjoying your tour ... the Tarn is a magical place.