Gorge du Tarn

Berin

Berin

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err - where is it?

Just spent some time planning my trip to the Millau/Carcassone region, around which I understand there is a good ride along the Gorge du Tarn, only I can't seem to find it:blast.

I'm sure it's on one of the 80 virees routes, or something, but I don't know which.

Any one got start/end points, or some grid refs so I can plot a route?


ta
 
Helpful hint.

Copy all 16 routes for south-west France into one file.

Then open it and find (Find places - binocular) Quezac.

All will be revealed.

:beerjug:
 
deff go

make sure you take a day out to ride this
its stunning

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PUNCTURE KIT

when we rode this in the summer it was 38 v hot many times we never saw anyone for ages - i was shitting myself about getting a puncture - cos if you do - you cant leave the bike - you cant leave the misses and the mobiles dont always work - on the way down there through france dont miss ORADOR SU GLANE - its an incredible town - blown to bits by the Germans and left exactly as it was - a real eye opener

good luck

Gaz :thumb2
 
If you are worried about finding it and you are in the centre of Millau Town there is a sign pointing the way ;)

millau020.jpg
 
Wapping said:
Helpful hint.

Copy all 16 routes for south-west France into one file.

Then open it and find (Find places - binocular) Quezac.

All will be revealed.

:beerjug:
Click to expand...
:confused:

Done that - it comes up with 2 options for Quezac, one about 50km NE of Millau and one about 50km NW but don't see any routes near either.
 
Ride to Millau

Do not go over fancy bridge

Go into town

turn left - D991

enjoy!


The D996, D986, and D48 East of Millau are all fab biking routes but do take you into fairly wild empty countryside which can be bastard cold even in mid summer
 
On the Michelin map of France No 721 from 2008 shows the Gorge du Tarn as the D907 and continues on to the D907b look for Les Vignes and Ste-Enimie.

Hope you find it and ENJOY :thumb

Norrie
 
Its a scenic ride but not a good riding road. But well worth doing for the views.

Make sure you ride up to the Point Sublime viewing spot and take some time to go up on the CAUSSE MEJEAN which is a bit like the Lost world as its a high plateau surrounded by gorges.

As you are in the area you must ride the Corniche de Cevennes. Its south of Florac and is a road of 30 miles in lenght which you will enjoy a lot.
:)
 
Berin said:
:confused:

Done that - it comes up with 2 options for Quezac, one about 50km NE of Millau and one about 50km NW but don't see any routes near either.
Click to expand...

Back at home now.....

Aha, I see what has happened.

In a hurry to help I sent you to the wrong thread, sorry. :blast:blast:blast

Go to Central France.

Select the route based on Florac. It is a figure of eight, so I broke it up. It goes along the Gorges du Tarne, from Florac, past Quezac to Millau and back to Florac.

As a penance for my gross stupidity, I have attached a fresh file with the Gorge du Tarne and the Florac route merged into one.

Cheers,

Richard
 

Attachments

Berin said:
Timpo, any of the trails there suitable for GS's? I should qualify and say "suitable for GS's without high percentage chance of falling of and breaking stuff".
Click to expand...

Ask 'Magnon' on advrider, he lead the ride-outs. Yes, there were some GSable routes... be careful not to stray into the Parc National......

T.
 
Wapping said:
I have attached a fresh file with the Gorge du Tarne and the Florac route merged into one.

Cheers,

Richard
Click to expand...

:thumb2.

Very useful, Wapping, thanks, (If we ever meet :beerjug: is yours) and thanks to everyone else who's posted idea's too. All I need to do now is string this lot together with some accommodation in manner simple enough for my geographically challenged co-travelers to understand and I'm sorted.
We're staying at Riders rest on the way down, so should make it easily to Millau the next day, and I'd like to spend a night at Carcassone too.
 
Hi everyone, thanks for your help so far. A plan of sorts comes together:

10th May - Calais to Riders Rest
11th May - Riders Rest to Carcassone overnight Carcassone
12th May - sights Carcassone area overnight Carcassone
13th May - Carcassone-Millau and Gorge du Tarn overnight Millau
14th May - Millau North as far as we can get
15th May - last leg to Calais for a train at about 3pm

So, looking for recommendations for place to stay in Carcassone and Millau, would rather not do chain hotels if possible, and if anyone has a recommendation for a good days ride (400mile+) from Millau on the way home that would be great:thumb2
 
Can't recall the name of the hotel we stayed in in Millau, but it was OK. There, how helpful is that? :D

More importantly, I can't remember the name of the restaurant we ate in, and it was a brilliant place - really outstanding food. I'll ask the people I went with to see if they can remember, and do some googling. I'll post again if I find out.

The Gorge du Tarn is a lovely road and great scenery, but tends to be full of tourists going slowly, and caravans and coaches going very slowly, admiring the scenery. About halfway along is a tiny village called St Chely du Tarn, which you access over a little bridge. DO NOT GO THERE! It is my own personal undiscovered paradise, and I don't want others to find it... If you do go there and go for a swim from th elittle beach, you'll be amazed how cold the water is. UNTIL you swim down to the waterfall, when you'll realise the river is in fact balmy and relaxing compared to the icy water falling onto you. :D

389001037_iDYup-M.jpg


Up out of the gorge itself is an area called the Chaos de Montpellier le Vieux. You ride up to a car park, then walk on a bit more, to some really amazing landscape. Well worth a walk if you have the time.
 
I have been in the area for the last ten years, if you want any inside info, please let me know. Good to see you are avoifing July/August, far too hot and busy. May is much better though you may get a bit of rain. Have no idea how to send a photo on here, sorry
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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