GIN Bikers – September 22nd 2022

Another Thursday, another bike challenge. This time the autumnal chill of the morning required some additional clothing compared to previous rides but by the time the legs were pumping and the sun had risen higher in the sky, it was as if we had full summer still.

The proposed outing: a tour to the vineyards of Geneva, passing through the Versoix woods, crossing in and out of France at Ferney, and onto Meyrin and beyond to the vine clad slopes. Five hardy GIN bikers signed up what was called “a flatter but longer than usual ride”: Stephen, PeterD, PeterT, e-Paul and our Ukranian guest, Ivan. Ivan arrived at the Everness meeting point, proudly showing the repairs carried out on the ageing and ailing machine that Mark2Ts had lend him for his first ride with us. The front brake was working again and new tyres and inner tubes had replaced the 40 year old originals. The saddle had also been raised to a more suitable height. All looked perfect for a speedy departure, when Ivan said that he had to return home for a conference call. He felt that, all being well, this would finish rapidly enough for him to catch up with us at the agreed luncheon spot. This sounded ambitious but, with new confidence in his machine, he was optimistic. E-Paul, recently returned from a long vacation in Asia, agreed to meet us nearer to Geneva and nearer to his home close to the Ferney border crossing, thus saving his unexercised battery and legs undue effort.

So, Stephen, PeterT and PeterD sped the familiar cycle route 50 from the Everness Hotel through the shaded and wooded paths avoiding, at times with difficulty, deposits from well-fed horses. Shortly before the border into France, PeterT, in a haze of nostalgia, led the group down a remembered, attractive track but bypassing the rendez-vous with Paul. Happily, this was recognised before we re-emerged into Switzerland at Meyrin and we were able to back track across the border and surprise Paul by coming from an unexpected direction. We were only marginally behind schedule.

With 80% of our group now together, we recrossed the border and straight-lined through France and emerged successfully at Meyrin. From here, the delights of the Geneva wine villages are but a short ride away, although there are several potential routes. PeterD decided to get a head start, aware of the increase in gradient, and take the first road up to vineyard slopes. PeterT and e-Paul were oblivious to this decision. Stephen failed in relaying the route and saw the duo happily maintaining a flatter route, off into the distance. Mobile communication agreed a new meeting point at Chouilly, a delightful wine village in the shadow of the Jura. Surprisingly, this saw the majority of the group arrive simultaneously. The other 20% (25% of current riders, 100% PeterD) had been intoxicated by the fermentation fumes of the vendage and cycled onto Peissy, the next village en route. Once eventually regrouped, the leader tried to assert discipline and suggest, ever so nicely, that we stuck together from now on.

Not so easy. As the terrain becomes more undulating, the different rhythms of e-bikers and pure muscle power bikers becomes evident. Downhill to the nature reserve at Malval, the conventional bikers took the lead. Uphill to Dardagny (and what a hill it was…..remembered as a beast from an earlier tour), the e-biker whirred effortlessly past onto the summit. Similarly, down via Russin to La Plaine, across the Rhone and up to Cartigny; although for some reason Paul was resting his legs and battery on the last uphill before lunch…..something about taking time to enjoy the scenery. We arrived at the Café de Cartigny at the anticipated time.

Drinks were ordered. We were just speculating on whether we would see Ivan again when he appeared looking relaxed and effortless on his renovated bike. What had taken us 2h30m took him 40 minutes!

He did admit that he had some help in the shape of motorised transport for some of the journey.

The excellent plat du jour of chicken, sauce and rice preceded by a salad at 18CHF was taken by all. The economy allowed us additional beers, where required, and the last of the lemon tarte du jour, 3 pieces being shared (the leader exercising executive privilege by consuming a full piece and thoughtfully making the division of the remaining 2 pieces easier).

Lunchtime conversation was diverse, ranging from an interrogation of Ivan about the Ukrainian situation but moving onto firewood shortages, environment, plastics legislation, research work for Paul’s 3 new books, unclear descriptions of rock cycle as well as geothermal energy pipe design.

Fortified and caffeinated, we resumed the now mostly downhill route back home. The plan was to head via Penney and Satigny before retracing our ride through Meyrin, Ferney, Versoix and back to the Everness Hotel, from where we could disperse to our respective homes. Inevitably, PeterT knew a better route, cutting across the outskirts of Ferney and, like disciplined sheep, we followed. Paul had already left the group at Versoix and took a direct route home to Grand Saconnex, unaware of the drama to come.

On the outskirts of Ferney, as PeterT was accelerating into the distance, a similar effort was too much for the original chain on Ivan’s, otherwise perfectly restored, bike. Our new leader was summoned back and the situation reviewed and options assessed. A search for a bike shop or a call for transport seemed the two options as, unsurprisingly, the GIN Bikers are not equipped with chain repair means. Ivan called reinforcements. He was happy to remain alone, stranded in France, whilst waiting for his pickup but Stephen took his captaincy responsibilities seriously and waited for either the ship to sink or rescue to appear. Happily the latter was the case. Jen, the guardian angel, arrived having hot-footed it (more accurately, driven) directly from a COVID jab. The bike and Ivan were loaded into the car. Jen summarised the predicament “you should get rid of that crap bike”…………… tbc

The group had dispersed and the lonely leader was left to retrace his steps home without the aid of the person who knew the way from that point.

Statistics: 63.3km (+x km, where x is >0 but <13.7, depending on distance of home from Everness hotel, excluding the variable of e-Paul). Elevation difference 655m or 4623m according to Stephen’s Garmin (seems to have been some kind of chain reaction!), which also claimed a high point of 20000m. Who said it was a flat ride? Average speed 20.5km/h.