Nottingham to Barcelona 2016: Rue de Carcassonne

It's going to be hot & lumpy. Well, to be more precise, there's going to be one 1000m lump in the first 10 miles, and a 25 mile decent thereafter. Forecast for 30 degrees this afternoon, so we need to get it done.

So after a little mechanical relief (loose bar end shifter):

we leave Domaine d'En Baleux near Labruguiere at about 9.30 having had a wonderful breakfast of homemade produce. The eggs were so fresh that Alex got a couple that were thinking of hatching! No, seriously!

There was a bit of cloud about & the climb was beautiful & tree lined, which made for a shaded ride. Loved it!

Nice and steady at around 7% over about 10 miles. Dave H & Kev aced it, with Alex, Dave M , Neil & I easing into it. We were met at the top by a very nice Australian lady, who'd breezed past most of us on the climb. She was out for a little light training, as she runs cycle tours throughout Europe having retired from professional cycling. Ex National Aus Champ as it turns out - Lorian Graham. Nice to meet you Lorian. She kindly took our photo at the summit of the Black Mountain:

The route over the top of the Black Mountains proved to be a little testing at times, but was predominantly in our favour. Got our first glimpse of the Pyrenees.

As the temperature rose, we commenced a very long and steady decent towards Carcassonne. Some of the valleys we glided through were stunning & there was a proper Mediterranean feel developing.

We got into Carcassonne before 2pm. It was great to arrive at the destination with the afternoon ahead of us. It almost felt like proper touring. So we hit the city centre and did lunch!

We were on our hotel - Espace Cite - for about 4pm. Luxury!

Suitable sorted out, we walked into the Mediaeval walled city for a look around, a beer and then dinner.

What a great place, with views of where we'd come from: