We stayed at a sensation small boutique hotel in Tarascan, amidst limestone mountains with neolithic caves. Dinner that night was duck salad entree and duck confit main course. Some are over duck. Wouldn't mind a nice big steak and chips actually.
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| The delightful Maison d"Agnes at Tarascon |
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| Rob attempts some kind of bike maintenance |
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| The amazing chateau on Montségur. Quite handily placed for keeping an eye on one's serfs in the village below. |
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| Mick passes by another passed-it's-use-by-date chateau |
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| The walled city of Carcassonne |
There were a few climbs to negotiate before days end but the view of the medieval walled city as we crested the last of the ridges surrounding the area was quite spectacular. Carcassonne seems quite familiar as I had previously visited with Sue and Robbie over ten years ago.
When we arrived at the hotel the other riders greeted us warmly. They had obviously been there while judging by the number of empty beer bottles on the table. Would love to have stayed for a cold one but I needed to get some bike repairs done. Not sure why but I had leaked all the oil from the rear hydraulic disk brake meaning I had ridden for the past two days without rear brakes down some pretty long and steep descents. Fortunately the front disk was up to the task and I had no problems. Disk brakes have to be the way of the future. Luckily there was a bike shop nearby open until 7pm and they got the job done immediately - back to full stopping power.
We wandered into the old medieval citadel for dinner with the other group. Good news: no duck. Bad news: no steak and chips. Hit the sack pretty tired and looking forward to a slightly easier today from Carcassonne to Olargues, another medieval city and routed to be one of the most beautiful in France. Dylan advised that the accommodation would be rustic but the food would be 'bang on'.
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