Cycling Aude

photos by Steven Hill

IMG_1488 Like most of France, excellent bike facilities on the Toulouse-Carcassonne train.jpg
IMG_1488 Like most of France, excellent bike facilities on the Toulouse-Carcassonne train.jpg
IMG_1496 Just me and my shadow five kilometers into the ride.jpg
IMG_1496 Just me and my shadow five kilometers into the ride.jpg
IMG_1498 This isn't Quebec.jpg
IMG_1498 This isn't Quebec.jpg
IMG_1506 Farm house and lush foothills.jpg
IMG_1506 Farm house and lush foothills.jpg
IMG_1515 A lonesome cedar tree.jpg
IMG_1515 A lonesome cedar tree.jpg
IMG_1516 A Sunflower field and vineyard highlighted by morning sunshine in  Montclar.jpg
IMG_1516 A Sunflower field and vineyard highlighted by morning sunshine in Montclar.jpg
IMG_1526 I haven't seen another person for over 30 minutes.jpg
IMG_1526 I haven't seen another person for over 30 minutes.jpg
IMG_1528 Small forested Cols along D40.jpg
IMG_1528 Small forested Cols along D40.jpg
IMG_1531 The lush mountains of Plateau de Lacamp.jpg
IMG_1531 The lush mountains of Plateau de Lacamp.jpg
IMG_1536 Descending into Lairiere hoping to find water.jpg
IMG_1536 Descending into Lairiere hoping to find water.jpg
IMG_1538 and I did outside of the Mayor's office.jpg
IMG_1538 and I did outside of the Mayor's office.jpg
IMG_1541 Lairiere backyards have this great view of Milobre de Bouisse.jpg
IMG_1541 Lairiere backyards have this great view of Milobre de Bouisse.jpg
IMG_1551 Chateau de Dufort.jpg
IMG_1551 Chateau de Dufort.jpg
IMG_1556 Vivid Gorge du Termes peaks.jpg
IMG_1556 Vivid Gorge du Termes peaks.jpg
IMG_1554 One of several great swimming spots on the route.jpg
IMG_1554 One of several great swimming spots on the route.jpg
IMG_1557 Entering a D40 tunnel near Termes.jpg
IMG_1557 Entering a D40 tunnel near Termes.jpg
IMG_1558 More corniche tunnels along Gorges du Termes.jpg
IMG_1558 More corniche tunnels along Gorges du Termes.jpg
IMG_1565 Narrow side streets in Termes.jpg
IMG_1565 Narrow side streets in Termes.jpg
IMG_1569 Looking across to Chateau de Termes.jpg
IMG_1569 Looking across to Chateau de Termes.jpg
IMG_1570 Chateau de Termes ... take two.jpg
IMG_1570 Chateau de Termes ... take two.jpg
IMG_1576 That's Chateau de Peyrepertuse, the day's main event, from 50k away.jpg
IMG_1576 That's Chateau de Peyrepertuse, the day's main event, from 50k away.jpg
IMG_1581 Signs and heading south.jpg
IMG_1581 Signs and heading south.jpg
IMG_1587 A decent descent.jpg
IMG_1587 A decent descent.jpg
IMG_1588 Local cyclists riding down main street in Maisons.jpg
IMG_1588 Local cyclists riding down main street in Maisons.jpg
IMG_1594 Due to a road closure I had to alter my plans.jpg
IMG_1594 Due to a road closure I had to alter my plans.jpg
IMG_1598 but, it doesn't matter what road you take in S. France; Vineyards surrounding Montgallliard.jpg
IMG_1598 but, it doesn't matter what road you take in S. France; Vineyards surrounding Montgallliard.jpg
IMG_1596 I stumbled onto the Montgaillard scenic 12k loop.jpg
IMG_1596 I stumbled onto the Montgaillard scenic 12k loop.jpg
IMG_1605 Stopping for water in Rouffiac.jpg
IMG_1605 Stopping for water in Rouffiac.jpg
IMG_1636 Entering Duilhac and the optional part of the ride.jpg
IMG_1636 Entering Duilhac and the optional part of the ride.jpg
IMG_1612 Starting the climb to the next chateau (upper right).jpg
IMG_1612 Starting the climb to the next chateau (upper right).jpg
IMG_1614 Chateau de Peyrepertuse is considered one of the most "awe-inspiring" chateaus in all of Europe.jpg
IMG_1614 Chateau de Peyrepertuse is considered one of the most "awe-inspiring" chateaus in all of Europe.jpg
IMG_1609 Duilhac at the base of the Chateau.jpg
IMG_1609 Duilhac at the base of the Chateau.jpg
IMG_1616 Cars are forbidden, bikes are discouraged.jpg
IMG_1616 Cars are forbidden, bikes are discouraged.jpg
IMG_1624 This is as far as the road goes.jpg
IMG_1624 This is as far as the road goes.jpg
IMG_1619 Thanks, but don't drop my camera off the obersevation deck!.jpg
IMG_1619 Thanks, but don't drop my camera off the obersevation deck!.jpg
IMG_1627 Looking back down on Duilhac.jpg
IMG_1627 Looking back down on Duilhac.jpg
IMG_1626 Chateau de Queribus zoomed-in viewed from Peyrepertuse.jpg
IMG_1626 Chateau de Queribus zoomed-in viewed from Peyrepertuse.jpg
IMG_1634 One last look (over the shoulder) of the chateau and blue sky.jpg
IMG_1634 One last look (over the shoulder) of the chateau and blue sky.jpg
IMG_1637 This school teacher from Luxembourg was the only touring cyclist I saw all day.jpg
IMG_1637 This school teacher from Luxembourg was the only touring cyclist I saw all day.jpg
IMG_1643 There was one last surprise; entering Les Gorges de Galamus at the end of the day.jpg
IMG_1643 There was one last surprise; entering Les Gorges de Galamus at the end of the day.jpg
IMG_1663 However you try, it's impossible to capture the gorge in one picture.jpg
IMG_1663 However you try, it's impossible to capture the gorge in one picture.jpg
IMG_1666 Here's another attempt.jpg
IMG_1666 Here's another attempt.jpg
Nestled along the gorge is Hermitage de Saint-Antoine.jpg
Nestled along the gorge is Hermitage de Saint-Antoine.jpg
IMG_1671 Mountain silhouette from my B&B balcony in St Paul at the end of the day.jpg
IMG_1671 Mountain silhouette from my B&B balcony in St Paul at the end of the day.jpg


Last updated: 1/6/09