Hello there,
Can anyone tell me if there are any gentle cycling paths around the Millau area? My husband and I are going there for 4 weeks and wondering whether it is worth taking bikes as we are only moderately fit and dont really like hilly cycling! Obviously the Tarn gorge looks out, but what about Millau or other places nearby?
Thankyou
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If you are prepared to transport the bikes in or on the car, you should be able to drive to flat areas on the causees or valleys and bike about there. We mostly walked while there.
You can cycle right up the Tarn Gorge on the road which runs through the bottom and along the Gorges of the Dourbie from Millau to Nant - we've actually done both! In fact if you can take bikes in the car and get on top of any of the Causses then you'll find good cycling.
The whole area is steep sided valleys, and flat bottoms and tops - so good for cycling really, despite the steep sides and winding roads up and down from the top down to the bottom.
For a big steep climb have a look on Google Street view at the road down from St Rome de Dolan to Les Vignes! I wouldn't like to cycle back up that one!
Ratman, I was lucky enough to get a few hundred miles cycling in last year while I was at Riviere sur Tarn. Have you read The Rider by Tim Krabbe? There are some good climbs in that route.
Other good climbs are Saint Rome de Tarn to Le col de la Vernhette, out of Les Vignes - as Val mentions - to St Rome de Dolan, Millau or Le Rozier onto the Causse Noir.
Climb out of Les Vignes looking across to St Rome de Dolan;
I will have a look at that we are staying in Le Rozier so most of my riding will be done from there. I try to get out early most days when away for an hour or so before the family stir. So smash it uphill for an hour then descend like a stone. Can't wait it will make a lovely change from my weekly training routes particularly in this weather. Enjoy the Alps top riding there.
Another long climb, on a route first laid down by the Cycling Club of France is from the D991 at La Roque Ste Marguerite in the Gorges du Dourbie or it can be done from the other end by going up through Peyreleau across the river from Le Rozier, and going across the causse and down to La Roque Ste Marguerite. On Google maps the road doesn't even have a number, nor is it available on Street View. Its a spectacular climb, or descent, and half way up (or down) there is a plaque about the link with the Cycling Club.
Phew, you are all making me feel exhausted. I can only manage 20 miles on the flat! Wish I was younger and fitter. Have a great time though, it looks fab doesnt it?
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Sorry to disappoint you Mountain Runner, but that flat 20 miles was done in France! We also cycle around Doddleston/Lower Kinnerton/Rossett too which is pretty flat. We are working on doing more hills though. Maybe one day....
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Topic: Tarn Gorge/Millau area Cycling
. Fine effort.
