GIN Bikers – October 16th, 2025

The forecast showed no precipitation in sight just a little low cloud to mask the sun. Excellent cycling weather….. especially if we could get above the cloud!
Seven GIN Bikers signed up for the outing which promised the usual “at least one hill” as well a hearty lunch and the usual comradery.

Mark2Ts
Mervyn
e-Paul
PeterD
PeterT
e-Thatcher
Stephen

Six of the group arrived at the Everness Hotel at the planned 10h, only Mark seemed to be absent. Perhaps the change of timing from the usual 09.30h had thrown him or perhaps a little longer mental preparation was necessary. Phone calls failed to contact him. In the event, it seems that he took a novel route which was longer than expected. However, when he did arrive, he arrived in style: he was the only one of the group to be wearing shorts on this fresh autumnal day.

All present and almost correct

We headed towards the Versoix woods, passing a new barrier designed to stop any motorists who thought this path would be an acceptable bye pass of the lengthy road closure on the usual route to Chavanne de Bois. The ride through the woods was delightful: dry, flat and with beautiful autumn colours. We stopped for coffee at the Vielle Batie Golf Club where we received a warm welcome and warm coffee/tea. There were a few golfers trying their hand on the driving range and the 9 hole pitch and putt course. One of Thatcher’s neighbours appeared with grandchildren. Junior clubs sized, they went off to start a potential career in golf (the children that is…..too late for the grandparents!). Paul kindly volunteered the coffee as a recognition that this outing had enabled him to reach 10,000km on his bike this year. Bravo!

The gentle climb up towards Cessy and Gex on paper seems just that but after a relaxing rest it somehow seems more demanding. The peloton spread out with the e-bikers at the front, accompanied by PeterT, who seemed to have a point to prove. The BLeader did his best to keep the group together and encourage the less speedy. By the time we arrived at Gex, the major part of the climb was still ahead of us. We reassembled adjacent to an e-bike hire hub which generated the usual conversation about whom of the non e-bikers would succumb to electronic aid first. There is still a lot of pride attached to pure muscle power riding. Mark thought that the time is approaching but was not prepared to act on the spur of the moment and rent one of the bikes from the stand. So, with the tough hill ahead and Wattage low, he decided to head back home for a comfortable ride and early siesta.

The rest of us gritted our teeth and headed through Gex and up on the road to the Col de la Faucille. The road itself zigs and zags it’s way up the hill and past our lunchtime destination, the restaurant Le Florimont. This has two disadvantages: firstly it is a lot longer and secondly there is a lot of traffic to contend with compared to the back route. Unfortunately, the back route being shorter for the same amount of elevation gain is consequently much steeper. Memories from earlier tackling of this direct ascent some years previously had faded (indeed, the Bikers had cycled to a GIN lunch here) and the level of effort required forgotten, replaced by the warm satisfaction of the well-oiled lunch. The climb rivals any of the other usual GIN Bikers challenges. The group strung out. PeterT determined not to be at the back forged ahead. The e-bikers, Paul and Thatcher, unworried about charge anxiety as they had plenty to spare, could enjoy the colourful seasonal display on the Jura. The rest of us had heads down, concentrating on the tarmac and sweating profusely as each pedal turn challenged the ageing leg muscles and lung capacity.

One by one the restaurant destination was reached. When 5/6ths of us were there the beers were ordered. When the sixth member had not appeared 30 minutes after the first, some concern was expressed. However, we had no doubts that PeterD would appear for beer. Some minutes later, the BLeader thought that a more positive effort should be made and managed to make phone contact and received a reassurance that our party would soon be complete. Definitions of “soon” can differ but eventually the BLeader started walking down the road in search of the lost rider. A further call and an acknowledgement that all was not well and maybe there would be a spare beer at the lunch table. Not a happy outcome and the incidence of a lost GIN biker would not make for a relaxed lunch. Stephen returned to the restaurant to impart this sorry story only to find both Peters sitting at the end of the table and the spare beer being consumed. In his keenness, PeterD had cycled right past Le Florimont and further on up the track before realising that he had expended more energy than necessary.

Pierre perdu tucks in

The other Pierre does the same

The last time Thatcher had been in this restaurant was 35 years previously. Apparently, little has changed….certainly the place mats were dog-earred. Lunch was excellent and plentiful. The menu du jour was salad, pierrade with chicken and then a café gourmand, all for a modest 25 Euro. Stephen offered drinks in recognition of the last formal ride of the season, Mervyn offered top up drinks including large digestifs (of a much more satisfactory quality than some other recent ones in Barme on the 2 day walk) in celebration of a recent birthday and Thatcher offered lunch as a thank you to the GIN organisers. What comradery!

Replete, relaxed and still a large digestif to round off the meal

Fully relaxed and with that warm glow from good food and drink, we wrapped ourselves up for the chill factor of the descent. It was an enjoyable downhill all the way, retracing our path until the old railway track in Gex, where Paul separated to head directly for home. The rest of us sped along the gravel track towards Divonne with the knowledge that we were not far from a comfortable chair and rest. Unfortunately, the progress was impeded by construction works just before Grilly and we had to descend a steep bank to the alternative road. The first there gingerly slid down the slope whilst Thatcher did an impressive forward roll, happily with only minor damage to his bike and no apparent personal injury.

At Grilly the group divided further with only a couple benefiting from the short new extension to the railway track, which avoids the earlier detour through the town. By the time Divonne was reached everyone was on their individual way home.

This was another exceptional day’s ride and a fitting one to end the formal season. The discussion on e-bikes continues but there is more weight towards the benefits after an ascent of this nature. The capability to go further to new cycling areas also is in favour of e-bikes. PeterT, for one, categorically stated that he would not attempt this route again without electronic assistance but he still is reluctant to set the trend. We’ll see what challenges the Bleader sets next season and what machines are being ridden.

Statistics for the day: +/-42km and ca. 650m ascent