May 21, 2023
Toulouse - Castelnaudary
Another day on the canal and heavy rain predicted for the morning, lighter rain in the afternoon - I am not looking forward to today's ride at all. Although there is a train connection between Touslouse and Castelnaudary, I only consider it briefly. For all the advantages we have with our e-bikes, taking trains isn't one of them. Their weight makes stairs a real problem. We even prefer rain.
We dawdle over breakfast and check out at as late as possible, waiting for the better weather. It's a short ride to the Canal du Midi which we will follow most of the day. Although it goes all the way to Castelnaudary, we have been advised by Susan to avoid the last bit where it becomes narrow, probably muddy and bumpy with roots and rocks.
The first pleasant surprise of the day is that it isn't raining when we leave. The second is that the canal bicycle path is really beautiful. It is lined with plane trees, each view subtly different, there are a few curves in the canal, a couple of canal bridges where the canal goes over a river, some slight rises, just enough that you can roll down the other side, we are happy with it all. And the wind? It's a weak west wind and we are heading east.
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The next good thing is that we didn't forget to buy something for lunch. And it still isn't raining.
At kilometer 50 we leave the Canal du Midi and take small roads for the final stretch. I must admit, although it was lovely, I am very happy for a change. I still prefer open countryside, big sky, some hills, villages and distant views.
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We have a nice room in a guest house in a residential area just outside of town and it's a 20 minute walk to the restaurants on the canal. Janos has Castelnaudary's specialty, Cassoulet, a dish of beans, pork and sausage served in a clay pot.
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It never rained on us all day, but the streets in Castelnaudary are wet. And the final good thing today is the rainbow we see when we get back to our room.
Today's ride: 63 km (39 miles)
Total: 712 km (442 miles)
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