Riding the Velo-Rail de Armagnac in Nogaro France

The Velo-Rail of Armagnac is a pedal powered machine that rides the rails on a 9 km course in Nogaro, France.
The Velo-Rail of Armagnac is a pedal powered machine that rides the rails on a 9 km course in Nogaro, France.

ReadUpOnIt ReadUpOnIt ReadUpOnIt ReadUpOnIt ReadUpOnItHere’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.