Author: Paul Sochaczewski

GIN Bike Ride to Geneva. July 16, 2026

On the ride (all E unless otherwise indicated):

Richard F

Peter T

Stephen (non E)

Mervyn

David Baddeley

Paul S

And for lunch, add: Philip

About 40 km return from Everness.

Altitude gain. Roughly zero. (But in fact there was quite some Deniv, my watch showed 320m from Coppet, but clearly that is too much – PeterT)

Lunch: I Sapori, Grand Saconnex

Thanks David for coffees.

Thanks Philip for drinks at lunch.

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The invitation: 

Dear GIN Bikers,

Stephen has convinced me how much fun it is to organize a GIN bike outing (I think he’s been reading Tom Sawyer).

I propose a Bucolic Summer Jaunt (sorry, I’ve been reading the Lake Poets).

Thursday July 16

This will be a flat, cool (mostly in forest), attractive, easy ride, about 20 km each way from Everness.

I’ll meet the Vaud contingent as usual at Everness at 10.00.  We’ll then backtrack through the forest and pastures to Grand Saconnex. This will be a calm ride, if we see something interesting (bison! sunflowers! deer!) we can stop. We might also stop by the Versoix River for a dip or meditation break.

Lunch at Italian joint I Sapori in Grand Saconnex.

I’ll then point you in the right direction for your return, while I head home for a nap.

PS: Philip, if you want to come I could meet you at the Vireloup douane by the Swiss-side customs house, and show you my usual route to Everness.

Let me know by Tuesday July 14, please. Feel free to bring along other bikers who might be new to the group.

Paul

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David Baddeley was a welcome last-minute joiner.

Pleasant and easy ride.

Team ready to start the meditation session

WIth a selfie
Seeking inspiration
PeterT meditated upon a face in the river – it seemed to be smiling, or was it winking?

The group failed the Meditation 101 opportunity during a stop at the Versoix River, arguing that it is impossible to seek the Meaning of Life without first having coffee. (Or maybe, perhaps I misunderstood, the group was really saying the Meaning of Life is coffee.) So, a stop at the Golf de la Vieille-Bâtie was in order; thanks to David for hospitality. Takeaway (Mark 2Ts take note): GIN is not ready for a Meditation/Back to Nature sub-group.

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Subjects discussed at lunch:

1. Why Mervyn’s name wasn’t on the mailing list. (Agreement: Conspiracy by Stephen)

2. Future of Thomas Tuchel. (Most people thinks he will stay; PS says he’s toast)

3. Whether England is now obliged to return Malvinas to Argentina

4. And the hidden truths of PS’s recent conversation with Google AI, see below for full transcript. (Disagreement whether it was all nonsense, or aspirational, or whether Mark 2Ts’s secret Big Plan for the Future of GIN had been hacked by AI.)

Lunch 1
Lunch 2 – the grub was good!

In case you missed it, here’s the Google AI answer to this question:

What are the recent highlights and achievements of the GIN Club, otherwise known as Gentlemen in Nyon, Switzerland?

Google AI

The GIN Club in Nyon-best recognized locally as Gentlemen in Nyon-is an exclusive social and professional network in the La Côte region. Catering to a curated group of gentlemen, the club’s recent highlights focus on fostering community and hosting
premier gatherings. ®
Recent Achievements & Highlights • High-Profile Networking: The club successfully hosted a series of invite-only after- work soirées and dinners. These gatherings brought together local entrepreneurs,
executives, and leaders within the Geneva Metropolitan Area. Facebook +2 Charity & Community Initiatives: Gentlemen in Nyon has recently amplified its philanthropic impact by organizing fundraisers and charity drives. These efforts directly support regional associations in and around the Vaud canton. ® • Gastronomic Partnerships: The club forged exclusive partnerships with high-end regional establishments. Members enjoyed private, tailored culinary and mixology experiences featuring some of the region’s top artisan gins and
spirits. G Ginventory +4 The region of Nyon has a vibrant cultural and social scene, known for major events like the Paléo Festival, as well as its rich culinary and nightlife districts down by the Lake.

GIN Walk-Le Grand Saconnex-Tuesday October 19, 2021

A group of 11 (12, Paul can’t count) GIN E-Z Walkers took a stroll around the often-overlooked corners of Grand Saconnex. For some walkers it was a return to old stomping grounds, where their younger selves jogged and took children for nature walks.

The event began with mild chaos, as folks unused to the particularities of driving in an urban environment failed to find the entrance to the underground car park. The organizer had astutely removed the gates to the car park but the honest walkers nevertheless purchased parking tickets, fearful of the demonic Grand Saconnex Meter Maids.

The walk took us past a cute church, houses of the rich and famous, a few UN missions (India’s new mission, under construction, is huge, and led to discussions about that country’s geopolitical intentions), farms, a forest, a small nature reserve, WHO, and tunnel construction.

At the last section, a tour of the Domaine de Penthes, the group separated into three splinter groups.

A few hardy souls attempted a steep short cut that left them huffing, the main group went straight to Domaine de Penthes, and a third group elected to save their energy and not to make the descent and subsequent ascent at this park. They were instructed to wait at the chateau, but being of independent demeanor, returned straightaway to the restaurant and started drinking before others arrived. This independence might be a violation of GIN etiquette, but on the other hand, it might be the new normal and their initiative should be applauded and emulated in the future. Time will tell.

In the Domaine de Penthes, Richard pointed out the exploding sequoia (too dramatic a tale to recount here). One walker sighted what he swore was the famous (and elusive) Grand Saconnex yeti, but admitted it might have been a large squirrel.

Domain des Penthes

Lunch ensued, at which point Paul’s sloppy organizational skills were revealed, when the eight walkers who stayed for lunch were told that the plat du jour was finished and people had to order from the (more expensive than planned) menu. There were some grumbles, alleviated by beer and good food. Lunch conversation included such earth-shattering topics such as Tim’s career-highlight as Captain Corcoran in HMS Pinafore, whether Monty Don knows best how to grow a wildflower meadow, whether Colin Powell should have resigned rather than tell lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction, and how print-on-demand is changing the publishing industry.

Distance, about 7.2 km, time, almost three hours. Some walkers suggested this walk was on the hard end of the E-Z walking scale.

Richard Saynor, John Burley, Mike Price, Marks (2Rs & 2Ts), Norman Eatough, Tim Goodyear, Brian Allardyce, Philippe Jenkins, Wouter van Ginneken, Hubert Pettingell, Paul S.

Some of the above is true.

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