GIN Bikers – Thursday, July 27th 2023

Re-cycling of the BLeader

The BLeader contacted the group asking for support in his re-cycling efforts after almost 3 months in recovery from a torn Achilles tendon. PeterT, Mervyn, Mark 2Ts and Ivan responded to the call and the one e-biker, Paul, had to withdraw initial enthusiasm when he realised that he was not fully prepared for a long Asian tour starting the following day.

BLeader looking fit and ready to defend his jersey

So, unusually, a fully muscle driven group met at Stephen’s apartment at 10 o’clock, without an e-bike in sight. Ivan proudly displayed his own bike, renovated and repaired for the occasion….. the hazards of borrowed bikes now firmly behind him and the 3 gears offering sufficient variation for all tracks. Stephen had taken the precaution of a physio session prior to the ride to ensure the best for his damaged tendon and withered muscles. A gentle ride was promised and, for once, adhered to.

We made our meandering way from Arnex across the fields on farm tracks to Signy and up the well-worn track to Grens and Gingins. Ivan impressed with his ability to accelerate up any slope. Mark and Mervyn allowed the youngster to have his fun whilst protecting the back of the peloton. Stephen and Peter pretended to have reserve power should they choose to use it. Promised coffee at our usual Givrins stop spurred us on but not only was this closed for the annual holidays but the back up restaurant in Givrins also was closed. Peter seized the initiative and phoned Rob in Genolier suggesting that he might like guests to join him in his mid-morning coffee. Not only was he at home but he graciously accepted hosting the lycra crew. Mark secured the last ham croissants from the butcher in Genolier. A satisfied relaxation pervaded after the food and drink. A barbeque grill was eyed in the corner of the terrace and for a moment it was tempting to curtail the ride and stay through to siesta-time. However, the BLeader was on a quest to prove that he was on the road to fitness and rallied the group, encouraging them to head on the loop round through Begnin, Coinsins, Duillier to Nyon, with the promise of the famous Landi crossing.

Relaxing with coffee and croissant at Café Rob

As we progressed through Eysins, we were exactly on time for the designated lunch destination of the Nyon Tennis Club. However, there was slowing at the rear of the group which wound down to a stop. Ivan’s customised machine had sprung a leak and the back tyre was flat. Backpacks were emptied and puncture repair kits, spare inner tubes, levers, etc. were unearthed and dusted off. Unfortunately, no-one had the required spanner to release the wheel. The GIN network sprung into action as Dave Gwilliams was contacted by Mark. Once again, fortune shone on the group: Dave was at home with suitable spanners and only 5 minutes away. Off rode Mark. Peter and Stephen realised that too many hands does not make light work of puncture repair and, more importantly, beer was waiting if we got to our reserved table. Several beers later, or about 40 minutes, just as we were wondering whether to order food, Mark, Mervyn and Ivan appeared at the Tennis Club. Apparently, the first round trip to obtain the required spanner resulted in all but the correct size. A return trip to Dave was needed to get an adjustable spanner before repair could be executed.

Ukranian technology being repaired by Ukranian (and helper)

More beers later, food an coffee consumed, we were ready to head for home. An offer of more, home brew, beer at Stephen`s was graciously declined and we headed home in two directions: Peter, Mervyn and Ivan along the lake road with subsequent steep climb and Mark and Stephen up the gentler, but longer climb towards Crans away from the lake road. Subsequent reports from the larger group indicated that all was still not smooth: “..…more bits kept falling off Ivan’s velocipede, in particular a vital bit of the gear mechanism. Search party has so far failed to find it, lost somewhere in Founex Grand Rue….”

Oblivious to this latest twist, the BLeader was gently snoozing on his terrace, pleased that his re-introduction to the GIN Biking Group had, from a personal perspective, gone well. The siesta lasted longer than expected as his wife had inadvertently locked him out on the terrace when she went off to play tennis………

Statistics: 32-47 km depending upon starting point. Ca. 450m climb.