MTB routes and bike hire along Canal du Midi, South of France
 

We are coming out from South Africa for a boat trip on the Canal du Midi in south of France in late August. We will be doing the 7 day section from Carcasonne to the Med. My problem is that I have a tough 105km MTB race almost as soon as I get back to SA, so I would like to do some good training in the mornings (approx 50 - 60kms per day) while we move along the canal, and secondly, I would like to hire a reasonable bike to take with me on the boat. Can anyone give me any pointers? Thanks