Day twenty two

 

Maps.me takes me on another fun ride again today over a bone shaking dirt track that leaves me shaken but undeterred. It's a nerve racking ride and requires intense concentration to avoid sharp rocks and potholes. Eventually it leads into sand! Ever tried riding a bike on sand (+ 35kg). I cannot believe Maps.me thinks this is suitable for cyclists and gives no warning about the terrain. This route is for weekend mountain bikers with proper mountain bikes. Most cyclists don't have such bikes. My Giant is a gravel bike so it is suitable for such terrain but not when loaded for touring. I was amazed I finally finished the day without a puncture. However I missed most of the landscape looking down at the track.

At least in Leucate I find this fountain and soak my weary feet in it for a few minutes.

The landscape continued to be marshy wetlands. I was trapped for many kilometers between the sea and a canal both just a few meters away on each side of the gravel track I was riding on. It was a really tough day and for much of it I was traveling not much more than walking pace. Nevertheless I managed over 50km so I was happy with that considering the conditions. Dark clouds gathered in the afternoon and by 17:00 it was raining. I just managed to find a campsite before everything got totally soaked. The mosquitoes here are particularly aggressive and numerous.