Skiers were skiing and others were in Rehab or travelling, others still had reasonable excuses. In the end 3 of us turned out at the Everness on a bright but cold Thursday morn at 10 am. Rudi, Yvan and me.
Earlier I had opened the bike shed for the first time this year to find that the mice had chewed through my old winter mitts. There was evidence of nests in all the open saddle bags..
Rudi had his e-bike (he drove to the Everness), Yvan his Ukrainian 3 gear (mended) special, and me on my ATB. Yvan had a head warmer below his helmet, so did I with a buff. Rudi had his ski helmet on to keep warm, but had forgotten about the need to keep his feet warm and his summer pumps and thin socks could not have been pleasant. It was COLD, even in the sun.
We set off on the usual route stopping as is our habit at the water tank in Grilly, then we set off up the train track.
The blossoms were coming out and the primroses wonderously in flower as we sped past, head down into the cold air. Taking the quick turn up and round before Gex, we set off up the road to Vesancy. My legs were beginning to ache on this first outing of the year, but in offset I hoped that the activity was helping my damaged knees.
Stopping just after Vesancy for a breather, we began to face the north wind and it grew colder as the sun disappeared below some cloud hugging the Jura. It was not long however before Bonmont arrived and we warmed up by over exerting our surprised legs up the eternal trail.
We descended in the sun and cold air to La Rippe where Rudi showed us the very pleasant looking house that he had lived in for 27 years (he left 20 years ago), up a quiet cul de sac. His purchasers were still there.
Onwards and upwards over the very pretty back roads before descending to the Lac de Divonne and a coffee at the Armenian Food Truck. Yvan elicited some good service as he conversed with the owner in Russian. Several punters arrived to collect food ordered by phone. We noted that chicken kiev was on the menu.
A fun but cold ride. Good to get this under our belts – for me the first of the year. After I got home I dozed in the sun in our garden room until a severe cramp spasm in my right thigh creased me up in pain. At least my knees felt better for their efforts.
I made it 40 km and 570m. A good start.
Well done. The first rides of the year are the best as the freezing air contracts the lungs and the legs scream out in pain! I will wait until the warmer sun caresses the cycle track before taking to the outside saddle. In the meantime, a warm welcome awaits any passing GIN peloton in Arnex, and perhaps some of that famous home made brew……..