Today`s ride to Olargues must be considered a rest day. We knew that it would be a much easier ride than the last few days, and we could use it! But how did we cycle only 30 kilometres in about five hours? Simple, we were coasting downhill on a smooth 1-3 percent grade rail line for most of it. At times, we were only pushing the pedals when we felt it was absolutely necessary. It was a very relaxing pace as everyone else on the path just whizzed past us! Our host in Olargues was not going to be available until after 4pm so we were in no hurry. But first, lets finish up on a few details from yesterday.
We were staying in Labastide-Rouairoux at the Chambre d`Hotes - Residence le Petit Paradis. Labastide-Rouairoux was originally developed as a small town for the manufacture of textiles. That industry has now long faded away and the town is pretty quiet except for a very busy highway running right through it. Fortunately, the Voie Verte cyclepath, an oasis for cyclists, also runs right through it.
Our room for the evening was in a large house that was initially part of a textile factory but the original factory owner converted the building for his own family`s use. It is now operated by Guy and his wife as a Chambre d`Hote. As part of their offerings to their guests, dinner can be provided in their grand home. We graciously accepted the offer to have the dinner and had a wonderful meal with Guy. He was a great host and being from Belgium and fluent in English we very much enjoyed his telling of the history of his home and the local town. As well, he was an avid skier!
The garden at Le Petit Paradis. Perfect for an afternoon refreshment.
We said ¨au revoir¨ to Guy around 11 am and began our slow motion ride to Olargues. We continued along the Voie Verte, most of it under sunny skies. The riding was easy along the defunct rail line and it was an great way to enjoy the lovely scenery.
Not a totally clear picture of this operation but this is an amazing piece of machinery. The operator uses a saw attached to the back of the tractor and cuts the log to length. It then drops into a spitting device where it is quartered and finally sent up the conveyor belt into the waiting truck.
Not a clear picture, but it does show old roofs on a factory that has long stopped production near Saint-Pons-de-Thomières. We are not sure why these derelict buildings are left standing but we wondered if the company went bankrupt, who would fund the expensive project?
A map of our route today. The cyclepath is very well developed with many places to stop along the way. We have seen an incredible number of riders with touring gear using it.
Voie Verte is very popular with families. The mother of this group is back at the corner - having shown more prudence on the sharp 15% decline and walked her bike down. No waiting - even on Mother`s Day.
No longer on the rail line but still on the Voie Verte we went up this short but steep15% grade! The rail line section near here may have been completely abandoned due to tunnel and bridge issues. Instead we were routed over a small hill.
Olargues is a small, rustic, medieval village. These very old hamlets are always difficult to manage with a bike because they were built on hills, steep hills. The narrow alleyways can often be at least 20 degree slopes. In the 1800`s God forbid if you had any body joint problems!
We found our way to La Maison d’Els and there was note on the door addressed to us. Our host said she would be late and provided directions to the local pub where we could wait. She knows us well already! After our refreshments we met Els at her studio. The rest of the day was spent exploring the village with a dinner at the local pizza shop.
Some of the buildings are somewhat abandoned although there are a number of large scale renovation projects on the go, too. A note on this building looked like it closed during Covid and never reopened.
Wine in a paper cup is cheaper than coke. Only two places to eat were open on this Sunday night and we had heard that this pizza place back on the Voie Verte was good. We ate the wood fired, thin crust pizza outside at a picnic table. It was good!
