The first signs of autumn are colder mornings, changing colours and a more subtle lighting over the landscape. However, once the sun is up the temperature is perfect for a bike outing. On this occasion we had five participants willing to follow the route of the BLeader:
Richard F
Peter T
Peter S
Mark 2Ts
David B
It should be noted that all these arrived on e-bikes with only the leader persevering with the traditional method of propulsion. Hence a winding and only poorly defined route was proposed, enabling a certain amount of control of the pack to limit their ability to turbo charge forward.
We headed towards France from the Everness Hotel meeting point, past the Chavannes Centre and across the never ending roadworks towards Chavannes-des-Bois. The obvious direction to the Bonmont climb would have been to head east towards Divonne but we veered west taking a longer loop through Grilly and onto the old railway track. We left this in Crassy heading uphill towards Vésenex and the small track cutting into La Rippe and back into Switzerland. By this time the e-bikes were ahead by a margin with Peter T especially pleased to be on a known route to his once favourite Bonmont ascent and relishing the freedom of assisted living.
We regrouped before the Bonmont-lite warm up with Stephen soon trailing on that well-pedalled route. The 727m higher climb was not on the agenda, as we had coffee to get to in Givrins before the harder uphill of the day, so we took the first downhill through La Florettaz towards Gingins and then joined the cycle route 50 to Givrins. There the coffee shop had rugs and lamb fleece warmers on the outside benches to fend off any residual chill of the day. However, we were warm enough from our exertions, the coffee and the increasing heat of the sun. Two female e-bikers appeared and obviously knew David. There was then an introduction of the group and the realisation that most of our better halves were known to the pair even if the husbands were not (up until this point). Several volunteers proposed themselves to pick up the tab, but Richard had slipped in the payment as celebration (or commiseration) of his last outing of the season before returning to his winter quarters in South Africa.
The advance party patiently waiting for the rear-guard leader
The meandering route to coffee had consumed more time than anticipated and the leader became anxious that the full battery-draining part of the ride might not be completed. Tempting as it was to linger and sample some of the excellent pastries, we set off at speed towards Genolier and the hill past the hospital. In the event this was completed with time to spare for the ascent to Bassins before returning to Genolier to lunch. Peter S even had time to sort out his tax affairs with the Nyon tax office before continuing. David did have increasing concerns on his battery charge as the hills kept on giving (or in this case taking electric charge). A smug satisfaction grew within the leader but also a desire not to have a stranded participant. The sweeping run down from Bassins to Genolier is always a joy, with the panoramic views over the lake and mountains enhanced by no battery or muscle concerns and an endpoint of sustenance.
The Trois Tilleuls in the centre of Genolier does an excellent 3 course set lunch for 28SFr and so is very popular. So much so that we were placed outside, beyond the usual terrace close to the busy road junction….made busier by the fact that St. Cergue traffic had to pass this way as the direct route is being resurfaced. (The positioning could also have been due to the undesirable odour of male cyclists). Occasionally conversation was drowned out by the multiple large trucks which passed at frequent intervals. Electric vehicles gave no such difficulties. Service was leisurely but, once we had our liquid refreshments, we were happy to relax and discuss problems of the world: AI, satellite disintegration, out of production spare parts for household devices, etc. This intellectual discourse was interrupted by a nature lover who complained that one of our bikes had been chained to an olive tree displacing a few underripe olives. Stephen owned up and the complainant moved on, happily leaving the misplaced bike intact.
Happy to have the beer…….
A choice of starter (due to the fact that the daily offering had run out), beef bougignon, carrot cake and ice cream was all well-presented and well enjoyed by all. Replete, we regained our saddles and started the homeward track. From Genolier this is downhill towards Duillier, then along the flat farm tracks to L’Asse onto the Signy Centre, where 5 of the 6 of us took the direct farm track to Borex, whilst the usual escapist, being ahead, missed the turning and forged his own way back to a large waiting dog. Peter S parted company at Borex and the remaining group followed Stephen to Arnex before heading towards home or, in David’s case, Coppet railway station.
The official Garmin recorder showed 55km round trip from the Everness and 724m ascent with an average moving speed of 19.7 km/h. Estimated sweat loss for the leader was 2.6 litres (luckily he had a large beer at lunchtime).