GIN Bikers – June 12th 2025

Another perfect day, with only the Canadian smoke haze obscuring the views of the Alps and the Jura. It was going to be a Magnificent Seven but at a late hour we were augmented to an Awesome Eight participants:
e-RichardF
e-Paul
e-Reinier
PeterD
Bill
Mervyn
Mark2Ts
Stephen (Bleader)

We met at 09.30h at our usual place, part blocking the entrance and exit of the Everness Hotel much to the frustration of passing drivers.

Stephen had pre-warned what was in store:
Meet at the Everness Hotel, gently pedal towards and past God’s Crossing, through Céligny, Crans and onto Eysins. Under the motorway and a small incline to Signy and further on through Grens to Gingins. From there we pass the opportunity to slip in a Bonmont ascent in order to save energy for later. Our usual route from Gingins to Genolier but stopping at Givrins for a timely coffee. Caffeine on board, we mentally prepare ourselves (if not physically) for the climb up on the new cycle track past the Genolier Clinic to Le Muids. A last push up to the top of the village and then a well-earned downhill sweep to Gimel but with that last irksome slope up to the village. From there our work is almost done! Downhill to Begnin, Vich and across to Coinsins and onto Duillier for lunch at the auberge with that spectacular outlook from the terrace (suggested on our last outing). Stomachs full we follow the leader along the route to Asse, farm track from Signy Centre to Signy village, Borex, Arnex and onto God’s Crossing, where we can disperse to our respective homes.

We set off in high spirits, unexpected by the Bleader as in his route plan he had mistakenly called Bassins, Gimel, which would have entailed a further 9km up the hill after Bassins at the end of an already steep climb. Once again the mettle of the group was displayed with not a negative murmur about the assumed task ahead. All went smoothly through Céligny and Crans with the group spreading out as we started up the gentle slope from Eysins to Signy and onto Gingins. By that stage, two of the e-bikers were at the front and were not aware of the regrouping at the Gingins fountain. Happily, they knew the way to the bakery/café in Givrins, but as it turned out they recognised the lack of peloton and waited along the route. For the first time this season, a coffee stop was on time and seating space was available outside the Givrins bakery. Richard and Paul fought over the rights to pick up the tab, which Richard won, much to the gratitude of all. Coffees paid, Richard declined the challenge of the Genolier hill as he had a “pressing webinar” to attend back home. Reinier also found an excuse to make an about turn. Perhaps, subconsciously, the potential of the Gimel destination was too draining for those with e-bikes……

Momentarily stopped at the Nyon-St.Cergue railway crossing outside Givrins, we slalomed the barriers but with due respect for safety (as we could see the train stopped at the Genolier station). On up through Genolier towards the clinic, where road signs indicated that the road was still closed after the clinic. A short debate resulted in the optimistic belief that GIN Bikers would be able to get through and PeterD led the way past somewhat irate workmen who questioned our ageing vison and sanity.

We regrouped at the top of the road with the backMarker still finding Wattage in his legs, although there were signs of the result of absence from the three previous outings. Digging deep, apart from e-Paul who was still comfortably charged, we made the climb through Le Muids until we enjoyed an all too short downhill on the way to Bassins before the final push up to the highest point of our ride (760m). Photographic evidence of this achievement was assigned to Bill. Having initially believed that he had a photographic or personal malfunction (couldn’t find the image on his phone) the result below was happily retrieved once safely back at home. The Gimel sign beckoned but all declined the opportunity to be late for lunch instead opting to be early for beer.

Relief at the highest point, some wistfully dreaming of Gimel

What an enjoyable downhill ride down from Bassins to La Cezille! Mervyn adopted a streamlined position on his bike, taking to the front and subsequently claimed to have reached 60km/h (safety warning: only Mervyn should try this on his aged bike). The Bleader decided on an amended route to stay high and not enter Begnins but double back to Genolier and from there, after a short uphill, enjoy the continuing downhill ride to Duillier via Coinsins. We arrived at the Auberge Malian in Duillier (under new management since our last visit) 45 minutes early, our table set and inviting with what would have been an excellent view across the vines to the Alps but for the haze. Beers ordered, we all opted for the menu du jour: salad, half a chicken and chips, coffee all for a modest 23CHF. Even the super croustillant chips ordered by Paul were included in the price.

A well-earned rest – no chickens here (yet)

Beered and dined we found it hard to leave the table but a siesta at home in a comfortable chair was an irresistible draw. Paul took his leave and headed down to Nyon station and from there to home. The remaining five of us slowly wound up the gears and returned via Asse and Signy Commercial Centre to the farm tracks running to Borex and beyond. Peter and Mervyn were on a mission and took the lead but unfortunately missed the planned turn in the route and ended up waiting at God’s Crossing alone whilst the peloton went the pre-determined way and dispersed before God’s Crossing, with Wattage on low and Bill feeling fit and ready for a multi-day outing with a cycling enthusiast friend.

Another memorable ride through our beautiful surroundings. In all ca. 50km and 700m ascent.