Canal entre deux mers, some pics and more details on our trip

It was the first bike trip for my GF and so our first bike trip together, we had an amazing time and can't wait to go again for longer !

On the week-end of the 21st of march we set off by train from Clermont-Ferrand to Toulouse, a 6hour ride on a regional train through the Massif Central, a slow train that crawl moutain but offer an incredible view.

Arriving late in the afternoon in Toulouse we start our journey along the Canal Lateral à la Garonne, just 35km to find a camp spot on the banks of the canal. quite a cold night but we we're wake up to the chirping of birds and a beautiful sunrise.

Ahead of us a long day on the saddle, 130km to join Tonneins, we're we join some family. almost half of the day with headwind but the scenery change quickly along the canal, different villages and type and color of houses, our way is rythm by the passage of the canal lock and their guardian house, some are abandoned other reuse as shelter or accomodation for the tourist. we made a long stop in Agen at café vélo, a well deserved coffee. we finally arrived before the sunset, with the warm colors of the end of the day.

We spent 4 days with family and did a quick tour of the surrondings by bike, a more hilly region as you take some distance with the Garonne, some calm farming lands perfect for a chill bike ride.

On friday we continue our journey, cold morning but a blue sky and a warm sun make for a perfect day, we plan on stopping in Villandraut for the evening, 80km with a drastic change of scenery, we leave the canal behind us around langon, to head in the Parc regional des Landes de Gascogne, we're greated by pine forest and long straight line through it, perfume and feel change. we spent the night in a lent studio by a charming old english lady.

We start our last day in a cold and gloomy morning, a quick stop at bakery before leaving town, and we continue through the pine forest, i learned after that the bikelane is built on an old trainline, we get by old train station often turned into home. we get some fall of light rain all morning, and find the sun back, and the headwind, around 20km from Bordeaux. getting in Bordeaux is not the easisest by bike, there is some bike lane but not all protected, once in the city it's perfect to cycle. we end the day in Merignac after 87km, we'll spent the evening in the city enjoying a nice coffee shop and dinner.

Next day we had to get home, 3 trains with a quick correspondance for one and a long wait for the last one. 8h of commute later we are home, we have been lucky to have spec for our bike in each train, the equipment could be better but i'm glad they exist.

Sorry for my english it's not my native language but hope you enjoy my little report !

Bike stuff :
My :
– Triban Grvl520
– 2x 4L fork bags
– 5to15L handlebar bag with it's harness and a 3L bag fixed to it
– 15L Saddle bag with harness
– Top tube, half frame bag and a food pouch for my camera

GF :
– Triban Grvl120
– 2x 14L pannier bag on rear rack
– 10L restrap bar pack
– Small top tube bag

All our bag except the restrap are from decathlon