20 April 23
I set out this morning to head up to the Everness. I was wearing two jackets, a buff under my helmet and cycling shorts over my lycra leggings. It was cold and spitting with rain. I considered turning back, but I did not want to let my BLeader, PD, down. So I arrived to find Peter with Rudi and Nathan. Two e-bikers and two bikers. Rudi told us a tale of his tail-gate opening on the autoroute and his e-bike nearly falling out; happily he arrived intact.
PeterD suggested a normal Gex gambit opening, somewhat adventurous perhaps for a lunch at the Trois Tilluels in Genolier.
See https://www.aubergegenolier.ch
The rain systems for the day were coming from the Gex direction so it was with some relief that our Leader relented at Grilly and ordered a right turn into Divonne, enabling a coffee stop to be engineered at a warm favourite:-
http://www.au-coeur-des-saveurs.ch
We actually arrived in Crassier surprisingly dry, if a little chilled by the 7C temperatures, but coffee and croissants revived body and spirit and we set off to the inevitable Bonmont in good cheer. It was not long before the Hill of Legend was in front of us, and we turned left at the junction to ride the final few hundred metres to the summit.
We rolled down in 5C or below teperatures into Gingins, passing Givrins and thence to Genolier remaining amazingly dry still. It was a relief to enter to warm and pleasant restaurant at Les Trois T, and we began to fell even better after the first beer and fresh vegetarian roll starter. There followed sausage and mash and a wondrous dessert.
We discussed many topics including the excuses of absentees, several of whom were eating pork pies. The food was so good I immediately booked to bring my better half next Saturday. Good choice PeterD!
There remained the route home, billed as downhill all the way. It was not. We were into a slight headwind and the rain came as we passed Signy. Nevertheless a fine but unseasonably cold ride after a hesitant start, with a super lunch (set menu 27chf).
Stats for me 48km and 500m denivellation.
