A hot day was forecast so Leader Stephen (bike leader or Bleader as he is sometimes called under uphills gasps) arranged for us all to meet earlier than usual at the Everness Hotel (autocorrects as Evenness) at 9 am. Bill in particular was a little sleepy as on arrival he had forgotten that his shoes were clipped into his pedals with the usual result, but not too serious. In all six of us, our Leader, Mark 2ts, Clipped-in Bill from Boulder, E-Paul, Mervyn and PeterT. We had brought along our excuses which ranged from :-
- recovering from Covid
- not done any exercise in weeks
- too much wine last night
- I’m only here for the beer
but our Leader brushed them all aside and after an encouraging and enthusiastic team pep talk and we set off up to Gex via the bike trail. On the way we stopped for a breath at the water tanks in Grilly and met a vivacious lady chilling her dog in the wash tub. She gave us a short history of the watch industry in Geneva (where she was a guide) and other cultural insights, before mentioning that she had heard of GINclub. It seemed our reputation is intact.
All too soon we were off into the shade of the old train track and at Gex via a slick underpass were soon heading up the (supposedly) gentle rise to Vesancy. It was too early for Castle Coffee and without a halt we sped on down and across toward the dreaded Bonmont. Our Leader confirmed that were were to ascend illegally up the down road, and in the event we were consecutively chastised and almost run over by irate descenders by bike and car.
It was getting hotter by the time we arrived at La Givrine (renamed from Givrins by our Leader) for coffee at the excellent bakery. Thanks Paul for your sponsorship. There was much discussion of world affairs, corruption, war, recession, Covid, and inflation but the main thing on our minds (mine at least) seemed to be beer and lunch.
I confirmed our reservation at the Founex Tennis Club with Ismael who is getting to know us, and with time passing we needed to speed off via Genolier, Dullier, Prangins, Nyon Riviera (where the majestic Vevey paddle ship was gliding into the jetty). Up past the Nyon tennis club and across to Celigny and CpC, before our Leader left us five (he to become an airport taxi) to wheel across to our lunch, and large cold beers. The first swig is the most memorable…
We missed our leader and drank his health and that of all other absent bikers. E-Paul girded himself for his 17km ride home while the rest of us pottered home for a shower and a siesta. Another memorable ride, 51km, 600m denivellation. Conditions – hot and sunny. (33C after lunch). And although I got cramp later, my dodgy knees felt better afterwards.. 🙂
