Toulouse

August 30, 2019

A day in the train

Our train didn’t leave until 9.38 so it was a leisurely breakfast before we went across the road to the station. We were there about an hour early as we are always are worried about the curved balls train travel seems to throw at us. About twenty minutes before departure time our platform came up it was E. This was not particularly good news as although we found an elevator it was so small we had to completely unload the bikes then stand them up on their wheels to fit them in one at a time.. That accomplished the up lift on the other side didn’t work so it was a matter of carrying them up the stairs - a nice young man helped us there. The train was already at the platform so we loaded up but the guard insisted we hang them from sky hooks, goodness knows how we would get them down. There were no other bikes at this time. Along we sped then at Sete on got a lovely couple - he was from Sweden and she from Spain. They had just ridden the Canal de Midi and told us how sensible we have been to avoid it. A couple of stops further on on got a French couple with bikes - things were getting very crowded in the bike department. Our change was at Narbonne, the first couple got off the stop before which left the four of us. They were such a lovely pair, they had no English but were easy to communicate with in French. We worked as a team and at Narbonne the bikes unloaded, down one lot of stair, along the passage, up the next lot to our new platform then onto the train without losing a single bag. I think it is probably the most crowded train I have ever been on and if we had had to get out at an earlier stop there is no way we could have retrieved the bikes. We got to Toulouse, hurray an elevator and it was big enough to take one bike at a time. The sting in the tail though no elevator just a rail beside the stairs to put the wheel of a bike in. We managed and all four bikes were mingling with the massive crowds in the station.

Have a great ride the two of you, we did enjoy meeting you

We said good bye to our new friends and easily found our hotel which is in the main square. We unloaded and checked in. The bikes were in the courtyard and our helper about to come and show us where to put them when there was a massive commotion. One of the staff tore out the door at huge speed and everyone was yelling. We took more notice. Two thugs at grabbed our bikes and were off with them. He tackled them they dropped the bikes and were off. How lucky were we. I think it was quite the highlight of the day for the staff who when we went out for lunch a while latter were still all talking about it with out hero looking very proud.

And this isn’t where the bikes were taken from. We had gone through the door and were in the hotel courtyard

The hotel is in the beautiful pink Capital Square. There are restaurants in the cool under the arcades so we sat, relaxed,people watched, had a beer and Ken a Croque Mosieur while I had the most amazing creation a Monte Blanc

It is more exhausting to have a day on the trains with bikes than to do a hard ride. Thank goodness tomorrow we will be back on the bikes

Today's ride: 2 km (1 miles)
Total: 1,605 km (997 miles)

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Keith ClassenWell that was an exciting day for you two. Makes for interesting reading but I am sure both of you would have preferred a quiet ride in the countryside. From all I have read about the Canal d Midi you have made the right decision. And I am really glad you don’t have to go bike shopping. Take care!
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5 years ago

Scott AndersonWow. Inside the hotel lobby! That’s a cautionary tale alright. Glad it worked out in the end. And we’re looking forward to following along the canal with you - it’s a ride we’ve been looking at ourselves.
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5 years ago

Tricia GrahamTo Keith ClassenWe certainly would Keith. WE are so lucky about the bikes but all is well that ends well Will be certainly be glad to get back on the bikes tomorrow
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5 years ago

Suzanne GibsonWell, that was enough excitement for one day, wasn't it! By now, Janos almost refuses to travel by train with bikes. You never know what surprises are in store for you.
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5 years ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesUnpleasant as the canal du midi is, your decision to cut it out by train was a wise one. Interesting adventures you two seem to have even when not moving. Bikes thieves in the lobby, wow. From here on in it should be more fun without the drama.
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5 years ago

Tricia GrahamTo Scott AndersonIt really took us by surprise. The rats must have been watching us and thinking these two doddery old people are fair game. We really are usually very careful guarding our bikes
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5 years ago

Tricia GrahamTo Suzanne GibsonKen is like Janos, it is almost impossible to get him to travel on a train with a bike.
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5 years ago

Tricia GrahamTo Steve Miller/GrampiesThat was drama we could have done without. The hotel staff were very excited by it though and really chuffed by their great saving. My poor white bike though has some gravel rash where it was dropped. The audacity of the whole thing is amazing - the situation at the hotel is there is a wide courtyard inside that door with chairs etc and another exit to the side with a slightly wider door and no steps - that is where they were trying to get out
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5 years ago

Jan HaywardWell that was more excitement than needed. I was about to comment on all the delicious food you'd seen and tasted including the figs.
Envious of that! Let's hope no more floggers!
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5 years ago