Sadly Ivan could not join us – he had a good excuse. Others had others…
In the event 3 of us (Mervyn, Peter D and me Peter T) turned out for what turned out to be a fine and sunny if chilly morning, at Everness, heading for Refuge de Florimont – we had biked up there on 31 March 22 for a full Gin Club lunch. Floriment is at 960m and is one of our more challenging rides with over 600m of up. However with no BLeader and no E-bikes we could take it slowly.
And slowly we started. Within 2 minutes Peter D had punctured on his replacement “fast” bike. We attempted a tube replacement but even after a trip back to his house Peter could not get any air into the new tube. So we all biked the 400m back to Peter’s house where he changed back onto one of his regular steeds (which had some form of faulty gear change – apparently he could not access the very lowest gears (somewhat necessary on a Florimont ride)). How he managed I’m not sure.
Thus some 40 minutes later we set off again – Peter D seeming now to have the bit between his teeth led us up through the forest of the Bois de Portes, across La Versoix River and up into Grilly and the Train Track. A very pleasant ride to Gex followed as a precursor to the potentially very unpleasant ride up out of Gex through les Maladières to Florimont, pretty much all of it avoiding the main road but on good if sometimes somewhat steep tarmac.
The slope seemed unrelenting and we took time out to rest several times. My heart monitor afterwards showed 20 minutes at over 136 bpm and another 45 minutes above 115 bpm. This is not a ride the preparations for which involve a fondu the night before. In the event (for me at least and I believe for the others too, each in our private torment) it was not too bad and we arrived in time for our reservation shortly after midday.
The beers were excellent (local craft brew) and the menu-de-jour lunch, at Eu17 for a big fresh salad, chicken pierrade (we cooked on a hot stone) and large baked potato, with sauces, fresh bread and followed by coffee gourmand, with good friendly service, rivalled the old days of the Vieux-Bois. And the view from our table was/is one of the best in the area. NB Peter D enjoyed a good-looking/tasting sauciflette.
We missed our BLeader from last year (gallivanting in Blighty)
We settled up and it was time to go, wrapped warm for the still-cool air. This restaurant descent is one of the easiest, if a little steep at first, as it’s pretty much downhill all the way.
A very good ride (looking back) that tests the legs, with a fine lunch as reward. I’m tempted to drive up again soon. Recommended eatery.
37km 650m from Coppet.
