Toulouse - Agen - Bordeaux

9 May 2022 The tour in Toulouse is completed on the Canal du Midi. From Toulouse to Bordeaux, it is the Canal de Garonne. This tour is much better signposted and the paths are practically all paved, sometimes with bumps because the tree roots push through the asphalt. The large plane trees are still standing here, obviously they are not sick. I estimated the shade of the trees because the temperature is now significantly higher than at the beginning of the tour, you can feel the difference when the shade is missing.

At La Réole, the route leaves the Canal de Garonne. The plan is to end the stage here, but since it is still early afternoon, I will cycle the 20km to Sauveterre. The route now leads through small side roads and is quite hilly, constantly up and down and without shade. In Sauveterre, I meet two Swiss cyclists who are doing the tour in the opposite direction, it is the first stage from Bordeaux. It is hopeless to find accommodation here, no hotel, no B&B, in French Chambre d'Hote. From here to Bordeaux, there are still 55km to go, maybe I will find something along the way. It would have been a good idea to stock up on provisions, especially liquids. It will be tough kilometers when the constant ups and downs continue, but to my surprise, a railway track begins now and it leads almost to Bordeaux. Roger Lapébie cycle path (47 km), named in memory of the winner, to discover the Tour de France 1937. The climbs are moderate and the route is completely separated from the road. The surface is great and I can maintain a high speed. In Créon, I can refuel with food and liquids. From Créon to just before Bordeaux, I have an average speed of 27km/h. The route ends a few kilometers before Bordeaux, but there are good paths to the city center as well.

Route taken