| Distance | 127.63 kms | 79.54 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Climbed | 284 meters | 932 feet |
| Ride time (hours) | 6.68 | - |
| Avg speed | 19.1 kph | - |
| Distance | 249.85 kms | 155.34 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Climbed | 833 meters | 2,733 feet |
| Ride time (hours) | 14.27 | - |
Wednesday, December 5th, 2018
The tent is sopping wet this morning, as if it had rained overnight. Just morning dew though, and together with the near-freezing temperature it makes for a tough slog to get out of the sleeping bag. I left the stove out for this morning thinking that I would cook breakfast but I don't have the motivation for it; I pack up and head out so I can find a warm place to have a coffee.
Mercifully I don't have to ride far to find my coffee. Avignonet-Laragais, a smallish village less than 5k from my campsite, has a bakery/café that opens early. After a double expresso, a croissant, and a chocolate croissant, I am properly motivated to attack the canal again today.
As soon as I hit the border of the Tarn-et-Garonne Department the canal path switches to pavement. No more mud for the day.
In Toulouse I stop at the usual supermarket not far from the canal to pick up food for lunch and dinner. Next up is a coffee across from the train station. Overpriced and not particularly good, the cafe at least has the advantage of being next to the canal with outdoor tables where I can prop up of the bike so I don't have to worry about anything getting stolen (always a concern on a fully-loaded bike in a city).
At the northern edge of Toulouse the Canal du Midi ends and the Canal Latérale à la Garonne begins, heading north and a little bit east. I'm making good time so far today thanks to the relatively calm headwinds. Joggers, bike commuters, and dog-walkers form an obstacle course on this unseasonably warm and sunny winter's day.
I've had the idea of camping next to the sort-of lake that forms at the confluence of the Tarn and Garonne rivers for some years now, but the plan never came to fruition because I've never gotten that far on day 2 out of Narbonne. This year the light winds have enabled me to reach Moissac with enough daylight to go see if I can find a good campsite there. I am not dissapointed. Just off the canal, behind a little Electricité de France dam, there is a dirt two-track that leads me to a flat clearing right next to the lake. The perfect place to camp. I am treated to an amazing sunset while I set up and make dinner.
