Riding the Velo-Rail de Armagnac in Nogaro France
Here’s a fantastic use for an unused train track, without having to rip up all of the rails. The Velo-Rail was built a year ago and has been a hit with families in the town of Nogaro.
The machine uses the power of two humans to turn the steel wheels and after just a bit of work you build up a head of steam. Then it’s coasting along with nothing but the rolling wheels and the birds.
When you get to the end of the line, it’s rotated to face the other way in this metal plate.
Future plans call for an even longer line than the 9 km now being used, and a walking/biking path alongside it.
This was the start of our day here in Le Gers, a sparsely populated part of Midi-Pyrenees where many producers of the strong brandy like drink, Armagnac is the specialty.
This story is part of France Wine Travels, a collection of travel stories about the wine regions of France.
March 11, 2015 @ 8:21 am
Hi Max,
Came across this blog post while researching the Velo-Rail de Armagnac for a hen party I am hosting in France in June. Not being a french speaker, I have a couple of questions (which i cant get from the website) and wondered if you could be so kind as to answer them? Approx how long does it take to do the 9km? Are there things to do along the way? Could you get to the end of the 9km and stop for a picnic e.t.c and then hop back on a couple of hours later to do the 9km back or are you in a tight time window and therefore would that not be possible?
Thanks very much in advance!
Alice