Stage 11: Béziers to Sète – Canal des Deux Mers by bike

Left Béziers early at around 8:12 to very quiet streets straight onto the Canal du Midi which was followed to its end at Agde. There was a lock system at Vias that was interesting as it controls the water level from the Libron River during floods to prevent that water and silt entering the canal. There were some very long sections on the spits between the estuaries which were only made interesting by the many hundreds of riders from the cycling event, going in the opposite direction, for the Tour Thau 2024. A mass participation event organised by the “The municipality of MARSEILLAN, in partnership with the Union Cycliste Marseillanaise, … a 55 km cyclotourist hike on a route around the Thau lagoon, highlighting the bike paths.” The riders were on all types of bikes and all had fluorescent yellow cycling t-shirts Spent an hour at Séte to have lunch and take lots of photos. This place would be beautiful to photograph in the evening light.

Weather getting a lot warmer and strong winds in the last few days. Need to carry more water for these conditions

Béziers was a shithole rest of the route was great

From Sete a little further along the dunes. Then a refreshing dip in the sea before heading inland along the Canal-du-Midi to Beziers.

Today's cycling stage takes us along the idyllic Canal du Midi. The canal, which once connected the Mediterranean to the Atlantic for shipping, is now used for leisure and relaxation. There's plenty of time in the afternoon to explore Béziers on your own.