French TET Day 1

A small head ache from the night before, but awake and excited about picking the bikes up. Lasts nights conversations centered on our enthusiasm of getting onto the TET through the Pyrenees. I think we'll be camping somewhere tonight. I forgot to bring a towel and pillow, I wonder where I can get those items in a hotel...

A big day ahead. Planned a route from the bike pickup point to the southern part of the French TET.  82KM.

Uber'd to the truck depo where the bikes had been dropped off, no problems.  The staff at the depo were friendly and our bikes were safe and sound.

Just had to pack the bike and get moving.

Jason's carrying loads less than me.

Taking the route above we were in the  french countryside within minutes it was great to finally be moving.  Not so great to be freezing our arses off though!  The 27degree heat wave last week was over and we felt it.  

When we were about 15mins from the TET route  (pink line on map) we stopped to take the picture below and I took the opertunity to put all my spare clothes on. Much warmer, probably not great for keeping clothes fresh tho! (Stinky biker)

We found the TET and were immediately on a lane, brillaint! The route twists and turns through tiny villages up and down mountains, through Forests. 

 Some of the forest sections are quite gnarly and despite the weight on the bike i loved it, Jason - not so much.  All the same, the scenery was stunning.  What a buzz!

It was about 4pm by now and we decided to look for a town to buy food, camp or B&B.  We could wild camp, but not without food and neither of us had eaten since breakfast.

Passed through a couple of small towns/village's, but none had shops so kept heading towards Mazamet. Had no idea what expect there, it was just another dot on the map to me.

We got separated on the road, but as luck would have it we bumped into one another again at a sign for a camp site in Mazamet. The owner of the campsite was English which made booking in and directions for food easy peasy. Lovely stuff. 

Time to try the camping kit! Mattress feels good.

Some of  Mazamet is really nice as can be seen in the photos. It's really quiet though (read; ghost town)  especially considering it's a Friday night. Is this a summer tourist town? Actually, one place was packed, a shit hole, full of scrotes, thought I might get mugged.

Back to the nice bits...

Bordering on 'hangry' we stomped to the  reccomended pizzeria. They played rock n roll from the 50's and Jason had beef and foie gra pizza (puke) Look at him, loving it. Mmmmmm.

Unfortunately can't say we've been completely unworried.   My bike is still making odd noises more frequently and louder than in Wales and Jason recons his clutch is going. We might detour to a bike garage in Spain.  Until then we ride until they break.