Stephen Long – GIN Club

GIN Hikers – October 15th 2026

Leadership, according to one source, is the ability to influence, guide or inspire others towards shared goals. The GIN Club has very flexible goals so taking on the leader’s role for the Hiking Group during the absence of its usual leader should be a relatively easy task. With this in mind, Stephen stepped up whilst Peter T was away enjoying the countryside in the Auvergne. The previous week this substitute guide had learnt the hard way the benefits of checking venues before committing to bowling outings. He was keen to demonstrate that he could do better. Happily the GIN Group are a forgiving bunch……

The day started bright and sunny, if a little fresh, with the autumnal colours and lighting promising a great day on the Jura. A route was selected that allowed cars to be left in the safety of the Genolier car park whilst we toured up through Arzier and then descending to Le Muids and on to Coinsins for lunch at the Auberge de la Reunion. From there a short return to Genolier. In all an estimated 10-12 km and 600m ascent.

A surprising number of participants decided to join: 11 walkers and Mike Müller with Nessie who was to join for lunch. In rough order of seniority (not that this has any relevance but it was a subject of discussion):
Chris, Andrew, Rudolph (+ Daisy), Mike Mathews, Stephen, Nathan, Mervyn, Mark 2Ts, Richard S, Mark 2Ws, David

An eagle-eyed Richard S had spotted, whilst zooming in on the sign at the selected car park on Google street view in his careful preparation of the day, that the allowance was for only 2 hours parking. Consultation with local residents suggested that this ruling wasn’t applied rigorously but participants were given the choice of running the gauntlet or parking further down in the village at the school parking, where 12 hours were permitted. In the event, there was a ca. 50:50 split, those in the original parking setting their blue discs on various times to try and minimise the risk of detection. Were we to find out the greatest fine: setting the time incorrectly or overstaying your welcome? TBC….

We proceeded from the car park in the centre of town, up past the houses on the way to the clinic before forking left up the road to Sus-Châtel, our first crossing of the railway track (with workmen in place for the 2 week maintenance closure) and to the start of the forest track. Here, Stephen showed some uncertainty of the exact entrance point, but Richard displayed again that keen eye and the obvious yellow hiking trail sign just a few metres away. Then started the longish uphill trek, taken gently, each at their own speed, whilst enjoying banter and the lighting amongst the beech trees, with the occasional glipse back through the foliage to the lake below and Alps across on the other side.

Frequent map checks by the leader kept us on the correct route with only one short detour. Frequent checks on the time started to put doubts that we would manage our 3 hour allowance to the restaurant, already booked at the later 13h time. By the time we crossed the railway line and reached Arzier and the glorious open vistas that allowed, a call was made to a re-assuring restaurant manager that there would be no problem if we were 30 minutes behind plan. Mike and Nessie were also informed that they could have another coffee/bone at home before meeting us for lunch. Without the time pressure we allowed ourselves a coffee (with a smoky grappa additive…..that bottle again) and water break but decided that full appreciation of any wines on offer would be damaging to the new schedule.

Up, up and more up.

No trains due today…….Nathan proving the point.

We did some street bashing through Arzier and onto the path alongside the strangely quiet railway line to Le Muids, crossing again the line (with more workers, not working at this time but enjoying their lunch break). A sign that we were still up against the clock, also confirmed by the check on distance covered and still to go showing that the pre-walk estimation was rather conservative. Despite some signs of fatigue (and once temporarily losing our backmarkers) we enjoyed the downhill stretch to the Bois de Chênes. At this point the restaurant was close but the new ETA had shifted another 30 minutes to 14h. Happily, our restaurant team was in place and could calm the anxiety of the manager, who was keen to close the kitchen, as well as take our orders when we were about 15 minutes away. Mike also felt duty bound to order a lunch for himself so that the restaurant at least had some timely business.

It was about at this point, after a short break to regroup, that Daisy after 11 years of perfect obedience decided to go AWOL. She timed it to perfection to cause maximum disturbance to a time-stressed team. Part of the group forged ahead whilst a search party went looking for, and found, the wayward dog. Happily for the leader, this allowed a party-line to explain to the restaurant manager that our delay was not our fully our fault. Daisy was subsequently rewarded by a helping of steak …..admittedly, after Nessie had consumed her lunch.

First real freedom in 11 years. It was a great walk!

Good beers, good lunch and fun banter restored body and mind and we eventually left the restaurant at about 15.30h for the short return to Genolier. There were requests that Mike relayed 11 people in his car to the parkings but in the end only one of our more mature/experienced hikers took advantage of this, to enable the early siesta many of us craved.

The hardship of a Swiss life.

Comparison of measurement devices gave a convergence on ca. 17.2 km distance and 540m ascent. Somewhat further than advertised but still a fantastic day out with great company, excellent views and good food……all shared GIN goals (and a forgiving group of gentlemen).

P.S. News on the car parking:
No fines recorded but a notice on one car was seen as it had no blue disc. Hence, better to put up a disc with the wrong time and/or exceeding the permitted time than having no disc at all.

GIN Bikers – September 24 th, 2026

The first signs of autumn are colder mornings, changing colours and a more subtle lighting over the landscape. However, once the sun is up the temperature is perfect for a bike outing. On this occasion we had five participants willing to follow the route of the BLeader:
Richard F
Peter T
Peter S
Mark 2Ts
David B

It should be noted that all these arrived on e-bikes with only the leader persevering with the traditional method of propulsion. Hence a winding and only poorly defined route was proposed, enabling a certain amount of control of the pack to limit their ability to turbo charge forward.

We headed towards France from the Everness Hotel meeting point, past the Chavannes Centre and across the never ending roadworks towards Chavannes-des-Bois. The obvious direction to the Bonmont climb would have been to head east towards Divonne but we veered west taking a longer loop through Grilly and onto the old railway track. We left this in Crassy heading uphill towards Vésenex and the small track cutting into La Rippe and back into Switzerland. By this time the e-bikes were ahead by a margin with Peter T especially pleased to be on a known route to his once favourite Bonmont ascent and relishing the freedom of assisted living.

We regrouped before the Bonmont-lite warm up with Stephen soon trailing on that well-pedalled route. The 727m higher climb was not on the agenda, as we had coffee to get to in Givrins before the harder uphill of the day, so we took the first downhill through La Florettaz towards Gingins and then joined the cycle route 50 to Givrins. There the coffee shop had rugs and lamb fleece warmers on the outside benches to fend off any residual chill of the day. However, we were warm enough from our exertions, the coffee and the increasing heat of the sun. Two female e-bikers appeared and obviously knew David. There was then an introduction of the group and the realisation that most of our better halves were known to the pair even if the husbands were not (up until this point). Several volunteers proposed themselves to pick up the tab, but Richard had slipped in the payment as celebration (or commiseration) of his last outing of the season before returning to his winter quarters in South Africa.

The advance party patiently waiting for the rear-guard leader

The meandering route to coffee had consumed more time than anticipated and the leader became anxious that the full battery-draining part of the ride might not be completed. Tempting as it was to linger and sample some of the excellent pastries, we set off at speed towards Genolier and the hill past the hospital. In the event this was completed with time to spare for the ascent to Bassins before returning to Genolier to lunch. Peter S even had time to sort out his tax affairs with the Nyon tax office before continuing. David did have increasing concerns on his battery charge as the hills kept on giving (or in this case taking electric charge). A smug satisfaction grew within the leader but also a desire not to have a stranded participant. The sweeping run down from Bassins to Genolier is always a joy, with the panoramic views over the lake and mountains enhanced by no battery or muscle concerns and an endpoint of sustenance.

The Trois Tilleuls in the centre of Genolier does an excellent 3 course set lunch for 28SFr and so is very popular. So much so that we were placed outside, beyond the usual terrace close to the busy road junction….made busier by the fact that St. Cergue traffic had to pass this way as the direct route is being resurfaced. (The positioning could also have been due to the undesirable odour of male cyclists). Occasionally conversation was drowned out by the multiple large trucks which passed at frequent intervals. Electric vehicles gave no such difficulties. Service was leisurely but, once we had our liquid refreshments, we were happy to relax and discuss problems of the world: AI, satellite disintegration, out of production spare parts for household devices, etc. This intellectual discourse was interrupted by a nature lover who complained that one of our bikes had been chained to an olive tree displacing a few underripe olives. Stephen owned up and the complainant moved on, happily leaving the misplaced bike intact.

Happy to have the beer…….

A choice of starter (due to the fact that the daily offering had run out), beef bougignon, carrot cake and ice cream was all well-presented and well enjoyed by all. Replete, we regained our saddles and started the homeward track. From Genolier this is downhill towards Duillier, then along the flat farm tracks to L’Asse onto the Signy Centre, where 5 of the 6 of us took the direct farm track to Borex, whilst the usual escapist, being ahead, missed the turning and forged his own way back to a large waiting dog. Peter S parted company at Borex and the remaining group followed Stephen to Arnex before heading towards home or, in David’s case, Coppet railway station.

The official Garmin recorder showed 55km round trip from the Everness and 724m ascent with an average moving speed of 19.7 km/h. Estimated sweat loss for the leader was 2.6 litres (luckily he had a large beer at lunchtime).

GIN Bikers – August 27th 2026

The sweltering summer heat had receded and the rain storms were forecast for another day, so this pleasant summer day offered the ideal conditions for a GIN Bikers outing. The usual email went out seeking participants…. and what a response but most turning down the opportunity! GIN members seems to be very active these days, either with families or vacations or the occasional injury. So, only 2 positive replies were received out of a total of 11. In the event the positives were boosted by 50%, as one email had gone astray, the reply having been sent to a GIN member on the other side of the world and not to the BLeader.

Stephen, Richard, Mike and Mervyn congregated at the usual Everness Hotel at 09.30h. e-bikers once again outweighed the traditionalists 3 to 1, with only Stephen left to hopefully prove that determination can overcome adversity. In order to help force group togetherness, the BLeader had deliberately only given a rough outline of the route, indicating that we would eventually hit the old railway track, head to and past Gex, maybe circling the Maison Blanche golf course before descending to Versonnex for lunch at Sur l’Ardoise and a pleasant return through the Versoix woods.

Heading initially in the opposite direction to Crassier and the start of the old railway track, we looped through Commugny past the International School, on past God’s Crossing, by-passing Arnex and eventually to Crassier. However, the railway track was ignored and we progressed up towards the famous Bonmont 727m. At this stage batteries and legs were still strong. The e-bikers were kindly not making use of the full range of their assistance in order that we kept mostly within sight of each other up the hill. We allowed ourselves a short recovery at the top and decided that a coffee in Divonne would be a welcome reward. The downhill swoop was a welcome relief, both for the legs as well as air-cooling for the rest of the body. It was actually quite pleasantly fresh. Richard’s favourite coffee shop next to the covered market was closed so we settled instead for the Grand Rue, sitting out with other customers, watching the world go by. I, for one, learnt that a café au lait in France is not a direct translation for renversé. This coffee shop recognised that in a renversé the milk is first in the cup, whereas in a café au lait the milk is added after the coffee. We are still young enough to learn. Richard kindly sponsored our learning.

A gentle day out for the e-boys

Encouragement for the other

By this time, the initial route plan passing by Echenevex, would have resulted in a late lunch, so we resolved to curtail the extra loop from Gex and head straight towards Versonnex after the railway track. The railway cycle track was as pleasant as always, although for some reason the gentle uphill slope seemed longer and harder than normal….maybe the summer excesses and lack of usual regular exercise routine had something to do with this. Anyway, once Gex was reached the downhill run to Sur l’Ardoise was a satisfying way to arrive for lunch.

The restaurant did not disappoint. Between us, we sampled the entire menu du jour range of gazpacho or chevre cheese samosa with salad, swordfish or maigret de canard, tarte au fraise or myrtilles with fromage blanc. All excellent and the 3 courses for 26 Euro.

We got back on the bikes after lunch with some reluctance. The good food, increased warmth and humidity and already exercised and rested legs did not make a good motivational combination. However, with some of us on time pressure and others with thoughts of a proper siesta at the end of the route, we headed back through the delightful Versoix woods on the familiar route 50 track from Collex. At the Chavannes Shopping Centre we parted ways to make our individual ways home. Mike certainly had the furthest to go…..sufficient that he is now determined to update his 12 year old e-bike with a more distance-and-rough-track-friendly model, including suspension and wider tyres for greater comfort.

My Garmin indicted that the round trip from the Everness Hotel was 51kms, with an overall ascent of 785m and an average speed of ca. 20km/h. Of course we all added significantly to that in getting to and from the Everness. I snoozed well when I got home!

GIN Bikers – July 2nd 2026

Another sunny, warm day beckoned and 5 GIN Bikers volunteered for an early 9 o’clock start to avoid the afternoon heat. A more balanced group of e-bikers and traditional than on the last outing but, as in now customary, the e-bikes were in the majority:
Stephen
PeterSO
e-Paul
e-David
e-Mervyn

It was good to have David Baddeley join us for his first excursion with us in Vaud. He has led us for the last couple of years up and down the Salève from his Geneva base.

The plan for the route had been circulated:

From Everness Hotel we’ll pedal in the direction of France via a now usual circuitous route but end up in Gex for a coffee at our newly found patisserie. After the caffeine boost we’ll aim up to Vesancy on the slow incline and then the downhill and undulating road to La Rippe. To earn our lunch we’ll conquer the 727m heights behind Bonmont before the reward of the downhill sweep to the Nyon tennis club for lunch. From there we can make our own plans for the quickest way home.

The BLeader kept his promise of a circuitous route to Gex. Starting off in the opposite direction to do a warm up loop taking in God’s Crossroads, a sometime meeting point, before returning to within a couple of hundred metres of the Everness Hotel to pedal the first part of Cycle Route 50 to the Versoix woods. We diverged from this route to head towards the Sauverny crossing into France. On the way we stopped at the Brocante in Chavannes de Bois where, on this occasion, the owner appeared and happily showed us his complete collection of bric-a-brac. Despite some encouragement to admire a valuable Chinese ice cooler and some less valuable guitars as well as a Vietnamese helmet we emerged empty handed, happy to use the excuse of small saddle bags (if any). However, Paul was not to be deterred to stop at the book exchange in Sauverny and find another tome to add to his reading.

Same old bric-a-brac

From Sauverny we cut across country on the cycle track to Grilly where we experienced a short but steep climb up to the old train track, favouring the e-bikes. On the (almost) flat track to Gex we powered along, as earlier trains would have done, until we arrived on the outskirts of Gex. We cycled directly to the patisserie just outside of Gex, on the Echenevex side, where Mervyn kindly paid for the full complement of drinks and croissants.

Beautiful views on the way

Tempting as it was to remain in the cool on the terrace, we knew we would not be satisfied unless we tackled the real challenges of the day. We reluctantly re-saddled and headed back up to Gex and on to the slow climb to Vesancy. The e-bikes again showed their advantage but Peter and Stephen manfully did their best not to fall too far behind. Regrouped in the town we could then enjoy the steep downhill before the so-described “undulating” road to La Rippe….which has more short steep ups than one would normally associate with undulations. Regrouped again at the base of the Bonmont climb, the traditionalist waved goodbye to the e-bikers until the famous 727m point. As is turned out, David and Paul slowed occasionally to encourage the muscular efforts of others, whilst Mervyn took the farewell seriously heading off into the distance. Despite a reminder not to head for the 888m point, a magnetic pull caused Paul to head in that direction before being recalled. Mervyn was already on his way up, deciding that additional effort was required to earn his lunch. By the time the rest of us had reached the 727m point, Mervyn was still en route so Paul followed the invisible force to head higher as well. Happily, the two returned shortly after satisfied in their efforts and ready to head for lunch.

What a joy the downhill to Nyon was! Only a short stop was needed on the way down for Paul to check the book exchange in Grens, which gained a gold star for it’s cleanliness and language ordering of the books. Could there be a new Paul Guide in the making? Arrival at the Nyon Tennis Club was only 5 minutes behind schedule, with our table ready and waiting and the first beers were in our hands within minutes. The food is always good and plentiful at the tennis club, serving the needs of sportive tennis players and cyclists alike. By the time we had finished and had coffees, a certain somnolence had set in helped by full stomachs, increasing heat and humidity and the fact that it was just that time of day. However, we all had return home journeys, some longer than others, some involving train transport but all requiring getting on the bike. This achieved, we all made our way back home.

Replenishment

I had recorded 57kms, 711m ascent and an average moving speed of 18.4 km/h, almost meeting the pre-ride expectations, but with the different starting points of the group there will be variations.

GIN Bikers – June 18th 2026

Sometimes comments made can catch up with you. The response to this week’s outing resulted in a plethora of e-bikers….well 5 to be exact….and yours truly on a traditional bike. In order to survive the course I outlined a relatively flat but fairly long route to give pure muscle power (myself) a chance against the electronic revolution. PeterT retorted that this seemed a little flat and was it worth him taking the new e-bike and perhaps his earlier non-e model would suffice. This generated a reply that there could be more hills than imagined and that no excuses would be accepted for falling behind. As you can imagine there was only one participant who seriously fell behind when the few hills were climbed. The Bleader was suitably lampooned.

Five e-bikers relaxing before relaxing on the ride

Anyway, I get ahead of myself. PeterT, RichardF, Mark2Ts, Mervyn, Paul and Stephen met at the earlier time of 9h at the usual Everness Hotel. The weather forecast was for a warm, humid day getting warmer throughout the day to reach a balmy earlier 30Cs in the afternoon. Hence, an early start seems sensible. The “flattish” route had been circulated:

“The plan is to enjoy some of the routes we covered last time but in the opposite direction. We’ll follow Route 50 through Arnex, Borex, Grens, Gingins to Genolier where we’ll cut down on Route 7 to Coinsins. From there we’ll take the route 488 all the way to Mont sur Rolle before returning on the Route 1/46 to Prangins for lunch at the Aérodrome. After lunch a gentle return home by continuing on the 1/46.”

It was good to have the full compliment of new e-bikers present (Peter, Mervyn and Mark) as well as a more seasoned e-bikers: Richard, who managed to get away from domestic heating/cooling technical problems, and Paul whose initial participating email had gone astray in the ether or Stephen’s inbox, but persistence won out.

The Swiss cycle routes are really well-planned and are usually excellently signposted as we discovered two weeks ago, although sometimes requiring eagle eyes. They take interesting paths through countryside and towns mostly keeping away from busy roads. This outing followed a coherent joined network of cycle routes and allowed the Bleader to relax as no-one could get lost if the routes were followed religiously. GIN outings are never so simple. The start along the route 50 went according to plan with the pack staying together and making excellent progress. These routes don’t always follow the shortest route and Richard had to be discouraged from taking a perfectly logical but unplanned deviation in Chavannes de Bogis, which by chance would have gone past his home and the ability to check on heating/cooling work progress. Another possible deviation to the plan presented itself when a tempting cafe terrace in Gingins could have lost at least a couple of riders. In the event, the wisdom of going a little further to our usual stop in Givrins was accepted. Peter was still in birthday celebration mode and kindly offered the drinks and croissants. Discussion seemed to concentrate on a new language of battery residual, handlebar dampening, saddle bag attachment, mud guard fitment, etc. After an application of thick, zinc based, Australian sun screen to many of the noses present, the peloton moved on. Shortly after there was some disruption to progress as Peter was successfully attacked on the head by a stinging insect, the latter apparently unimpressed with a head on collision with a speeding e-biker.

First signs of the free spirit of GIN membership was seen as we approached Vich. The unofficial leader at the time chose to ignore the route 488 sign and go via the direct route. Happily, his small deviation and the official route soon converged and we were back on track. The route from Vich through the vineyards of La Côte is delightful but at times difficult to follow the signage. It was on one of these undulating tracks that the Bleader was left behind and happily the e-bikers overruled the suggestion not to stop and wait. The crossover route from Mont-sur-Rolle to the route 1/46 was not obvious and, once on the 1/46, road blockages and poor signage made navigation through Rolle difficult. Peter decided to take matters into his own hands and left the pioneering group to head directly to the restaurant along the Route Swiss. The rest of us eventually regained the correct and now known route. A less express, but more scenic, path to the Aerodrome Restaurant. We were only shouted at once as we crossed a work site when we should apparently have taken a more devious path. However, we could outpace the slightly irate foreman…..

Peter was already supping his beer when we arrived at the restaurant. More beers were ordered. It’s been several years since we’d eaten at the Aerodrome restaurant but the quality and quantity of the food was excellent, as was the price. Richard could unfortunately only stay for the beer but the rest of us relaxed into either a large salad plat du jour or pizza or a selection of 3 pastas. The usual light aircraft traffic had been suspended due to the G7 meeting in Evian. We caught up on Paul’s latest literary offerings as well as a diverse range of other topics including what AI would say about the GIN Group. See the crazy answer here. Coffees rounded off the meal and water bottles were filled with cold water for the return home.

Menu du jour and pizza

Two satisfied customers and one on the adjacent table suffering from a blow out

Paul with lots of ice and lots of pasta and observers

Out from under the shade of the restaurant blind, the heat of the day was really starting to be felt. Paul made a direct line for the Nyon station on the Route Suisse and the remaining 4 of us made, as it turned out, probably an even more direct line for the Nyon station, as the 1/46 goes right past it. The Bleader left the group as the 1/46 passes the road to Arnex over the motorway and the rest found their most direct routes home as well.

Another enjoyable GIN Bikers outing with good company, great scenery and an enjoyable meal. Maybe a little less heat and humidity would have been appreciated but I, for one, am not complaining….better than the drenching of last time. In total, from Everness to Everness, 61.7km, 750m elevation, average speed 20.4km/h.

GIN Hikers – June 11th 2026

Meteo Suisse did not disappoint and June 11th was a beautiful sunny morning, not too warm, perfect for a GIN hike. Our usual leader had exhausted himself with organisation of a university alumni extravaganza in Champery the weekend before so, when the usual notice of event did not appear, Stephen volunteered to step in to gather participants and devise a route for the fortnightly outing. Recent attendance at GIN events had been rather sparse due to the aging population taking advantage of pre-summer vacation breaks. So it was a bit of a surprise when the returns to the call for hikers saw an usually high positive response rate. In the event, 13 hikers appeared at the rendez-vous of the old station at Divonne, although the organiser had only initially counted 12 and was a little confused at the addition to make it a baker’s dozen (maybe he had forgotten to count himself? No, Mark 2Rs had somehow been left off the initial list).

Rudolph, a relative new-comer to the group, had not quite appreciated the approximation in most of the instructions and had positioned himself exactly at the old station, surprised when no-one else appeared. He soon realised that the people gathering a 100 metres away looked familiar. PeterST thought that the bike leader’s call to action must involve a bike and so rolled up (literally) on his bike. MikeH and Rocco also made an unexpected presence as dreams of a summer on the Med had been thwarted by his boat requiring undesired and excessive repairs. It was also good to see Bill again, returned from his annual USA retreat.

Anyway, all this is to say that a large compliment of GIN members gathered at the right time and right place eager for the gentle stroll promised up to the heights of Mont Mussy and Mont Mourex. This comprised:
Bill
Mark2Rs
Mark2Ts
MikeH + Rocco
Mervyn
Natham
PeterST
PeterT + Kobi
Ralph
RichardS
Rudolph
Stephen
Thatcher

Notably, the full newly-formed 240 club was present (Mark2Ts, RichardS, Mervyn) as was the relative youngster, PeterT, with a recently attained three-quarter century.

The wisdom of the usual hike leader questioned how a 4 km walk was going to occupy two and a half hours until lunch…but the man temporarily in charge had devised a plan: a spiral assault to the heights (hopefully not spiralling out of control). Initial direction was not promising. Trying to escape rapidly from the urban jungle the group was led directly towards a dead end but was happily saved by the man with local knowledge and belatedly acknowledged to be in the group: Mark2Rs. This had the added benefit of passing a little known local point of interest: a 4000 year old hexagonal astronomical stone, hardly noticeable in the modern Divonne, submerged in a grassy verge.

The spiralling begins

Mark led us onto the planned track which followed the base of Mount Mussy to Mourex overlooking the road between Divonne and Grilly when the foliage allowed. The group strung out as the path narrowed forming smaller sub-groups and allowing everyone to proceed at a comfortable speed. Frequent stops permitted reassembly. This group has sufficient medical experience to fill many tomes but once the usual update of ailments had passed our gentle meandering allowed conversations on a whole range of non-medical topics. At some point along this path RichardS let on that he was carrying more than his usual small bottle of surprises with sufficient celebratory champagne to satisfy the crowd once the summit was reached. We carried on up through Mourex on the road that the GIN Bikers fear due to its relentless steep incline up through the village and towards Mont Mourex.

Beautiful views to the Alps and observers

At the base of the final climb (and potential back relief for Richard) the leader consulted his watch and declared that there was more of the spiral to be covered. Happily, he ruled out the longer loop via Vesancy and proceeded on the upper path through the woods on the Jura side, circumnavigating further the Monts Mourex and Mussy. This path had some up and downs, allowing extra elevation to be added to the final statistics, and eventually emerged at a junction where the main track from the Ferme de Mont Mussy leads directly to the summits. By this stage the lack of our usual coffee stop was beginning to show on the hikers and there was a desire to rapidly complete the 1.2km to Mont Mourex and the promise of refreshments and our picnic lunches.

Old dogs on the way up through Mourex

Emerging from the woods into the open with the bright sunlight and stunning views was an almost religious experience for some. Their penance was soon to be rewarded with spiritual gain. Spiralling, or unspiralling, of a different sort was soon in progress as champagne cork wiring was unwound, corks removed with a spiral cork screw and screw top spirit bottles opened. The bench normally used for weary pilgrims was seconded as an impromptu bar. Birthdays were well celebrated and absent friends toasted with addition bubbly being found in PeterT’s backpack. In the middle of all this excitement and diversion of attention, Rocco seized the opportunity to nuzzle his way into Mervyn’s backpack and release goodies for himself. Despite the best efforts of experienced dog-handlers, Rocco was not easily deterred and it took some time before Mervyn’s tooth marked sandwiches were retrieved, almost intact. Happily the Côtes du Rhone Mervyn supplied added to the reduction of any potential rabies threat.

Two uses for the same bench

Ralph surpassed usual spirituality by offering a full bottle of the favourite Scottish tipple as well as a smaller sampler bottle of local kirsch from a neighbour…..all this in addition to Richard’s bottle of unusually acceptable brandy content. Not all was consumed but sufficient that the impact of increasing age coupled with food and especially alcohol was a recipe for uncontrollable siestas. As the years pass and the group ages the number of recumbent figures after lunch increases. This day was no exception.

What a view!

We’re not as young as we used to be…..

Eventually revived after a very satisfying lunch and rest, the group reformed ready for the unwinding spiral, initially towards Mourex but then turning anticlockwise to the direct return route on the lower wooded path on the Alps side of the mountain. This downhill section really separated the group as certain physical ailments are more difficult on the down than the up. By the time we were at the Ferme it was obvious that Ralph was in difficulty and that the cortisone treatment planned for the next day could not come quickly enough. He fairly rapidly agreed to await a pick up and had confidence that he would not be left stranded by the rest of the group. Richard kindly ensured that was the case.

The rest of us continued on the steepish downhill to the road and across by the Divonne Golf course and the Sources de la Divonne. This was flowing well but not flooded as had been seen on previous occasions. From here it was a short walk through the town, where one hiker took advantage of booking an economical haircut.

Farewells were said at the car park. Whilst some left for home a hard core decided that a visit to Charley’s Bar would be a more suitable ending….the retrieved Ralph being very much of that opinion. Mark2Ts generously supported this final fling.

The postscript to the walk was an evening email from Rudolph who had been relaxing in the shower after the hike only to find two ticks in close contact. It seems that siestas on the grass after lunch might have consequences…….

It was great to see so many GIN members out on an enjoyable walk in ideal conditions. What was scheduled as a gentle stroll was 15.5km and 420m climb (although other records may differ). In any case it was a good day’s exercise close to home….another confirmation of that great organisation called Gentlemen in Nyon.

GIN Bikers – June 4th, 2026

Early indications from Meteo Suisse that the weather would be variable had not changed on the morning of the ride. The rain was due to set in at some time after 13h. So we had the opportunity of a morning ride, early lunch and then home. Seven Bikers initially signed up for the outing but this was reduced to 5 after some concerns about the forecast and/or concerns about current fitness levels.

Stephen
PeterSo
e-PeterSt
newly-e-Mervyn
e-Richard

We gathered outside the Everness Hotel at the earlier time of 9h, to allow for maximum exercise before lunch. Mervyn and PeterSo had arrived back in Switzerland the night before, by chance both on the same late arrival from Denmark and both keen to take up the challenge that the leader had indicated previously:

“Route will essentially take the cycle track 1/46 from Tannay along until Vinzel/Bursins where we’ll cross the motorway to cycle route 488. Potential for a coffee. At Coinsins we’ll change to our well-cycled route 50 from Genolier to Gingins and an opportunity for a Bonmont climb before descending to Crassier for an Italian lunch (La Semplicita). After lunch fast home!”

Happy and dry….for the moment

We set off at speed, which the e-bikers soon realised was to ensure that on the flat they were disadvantaged by their 25km/h limit. The leader also took the precaution of not advising in detail the route so that they would have to stay behind, following. Which the pack did closely…..Mervyn especially seeming to enjoying the now effortless cycling. Some of the routes were new to the leader but, thanks to the Swiss efficiency, these cycle tracks are well signposted with signs at any junction where a choice has to be made. The 1/46 route, picked up at Tannay, winds its way through Founex, Céligny, Crans, Nyon, Prangins to Gland and beyond. This proved to be a pleasure, passing through the villages and countryside avoiding most of the main roads, with the added bonus of seeing two light aircraft take off as we skirted the Gland aerodrome. By the time we reached Gland, there were hints that a coffee stop might be appropriate and we stopped at a suitable café by the side of the road. Coffee and tea were kindly sponsored by Richard. A quick weather check confirmed that the rain was still due at ca. 13.30h, so no need to change plans but we did need to press on to reach the safety of the restaurant.

We followed the route out of Gland with one indecisive moment as the route sign had been displaced on the ground whilst extensive piping work disrupted the track. We soon picked up the correct way and followed parallel to the motorway from Gland up to Gilly, where we diverged from the 1/46 and crossed over to join the 488. This took us on a devious path above the route du vin, in and out of vineyards and through hamlets, descending to the main road for a short period before climbing up to Begnins and then descending to Vich and onto Coinsins, past the auberge. Grey clouds were gathering and there was a change in the wind, indicating the coming storm. Legs for the non-e-bikers were getting weary and the e-bikers for once were ahead. We climbed up the gentle but long slope to Genolier. No time for resting, we pedalled on up the last short hill to Givrins, past our favourite coffee stop, and onto the well-known path to Gingins. A Bonmont hill was not an option with the storm clock ticking, so we took the lower road through the Bonmont golf course to La Rippe and from there the enjoyable downhill ride to our restaurant in Crassier. We arrived soon after 12h, dry and ready for sustenance.

We had not booked a table as we thought that the weather might encourage us to press on home. As it was, we all decided to stop for lunch but the inside tables were all occupied. There was space outside so we installed ourselves! Waitress service seemed somewhat slow, so Richard crossed the road to the Boeuf Rouge and discovered there were inside spaces and an enthusiastic proprietor there. However, during his absence, the waitress did appear, so we ordered five beers and 5 plats du jour: mushroom stuffed ravioli with cream sauce and a salad to start. As we finished the salad, the rain started and steadily increased in intensity. Happily, there was a overhead blind which extended to cover most of the table, with only PeterSt still receiving a slight dampening. Mervyn updated us on his “stan” travels which were obviously quite an adventure and these are interesting countries to visit before they are fully on the tourist list. The plat du jour was supplemented with a dessert and coffee….nothing to lose now as we all knew the ride back would be very wet!

We reluctantly climbed back on the wet saddles and prepared ourselves for the thorough soaking which even the waterproofs couldn’t prevent. We separated rapidly, not lingering over farewells, as we made as quick a progress as possible to our respective homes. Warm baths and showers were taken once we got back.

All agreed that the pre-lunch route was a pleasant change from our usual well-beaten tracks with excellent cycling conditions. The short afternoon ride was atrocious! In the end, ca. 60km, 635m climb and an average speed of ca. 21km/h was recorded….a good day’s exercise.

GIN Bikers – May 21st 2026 – Tour de Salève

This was the second Tour de Salève, with four bikers (all electrified) —David Baddeley (senior navigator), Mervyn, Richard, and Paul.

Meeting point was the Lancy-Bachet gare — Richard and Paul took the Leman Express, Mervyn was breaking in his new e-bike and rode all the way from his home (and all the way back).

Coffee in Veyrier, then short ride to the cable car station. Lovely Spring day.

The crêt run is rural, attractive, and hilly.

This year we did not stop at the Tibetan monastery (and gift shop), since it was perceived that all participants had already achieved an appropriate level of enlightenment, and that an overdose of enlightenment (ODE in medical parlance) might interfere with the ability to pedal mindfully.

Lunch at Auberge des Montagnards at La Croisette.

Annoying uphill after lunch, then David led us on a freewheeling downhill, with some attractive paths he had discovered towards the bottom that alleviated some of the tedious ride along the highway.

About 60 km from Lancy-Bachy and return.

GIN Bikers – May 7th 2026

The start of a new era….for some

Much discussion over the last year had been devoted to who of the non e-bikers would crack first. This impasse was broken by an unmissable e-bike offer at Jumbo when all three likely converters bought at the same time. So PeterT, Mark2Ts and Mervyn are all now proud easy riders.

Six GIN Bikers rallied to the fortnightly call to take to their saddles and pedal the local hills. The outing challenge presented to test our new e-bikers was sensibly considered too much of an early season challenge for one of the initial participants without any e-assistance. So, in the event the party was made up of:

Stephen
PeterS
e-PeterT
e-Mark2Ts
e-Thatcher (who also had a new e-bike….but not his first)

Unified team tops but non-unified machines

At this point I should apologise to PeterS for suggesting in earlier emails that at his young age (10 years below the outing’s collective average) he would consider an e-bike, let alone actually own one. To prove the point he cycled to and from the usual Everness Hotel starting point from his home in Genthod, adding considerable distance for his well-tuned muscular legs.

The outline plan was:
“We’ll head towards Arnex on an indirect route before tackling a half-Bonmont warm up climb on the way towards Genolier. Somewhere along this first part we’ll stop for an invigorating coffee. Then on up the Genolier hill (which was notably boycotted on a previous outing), Le Muids and Le Vaud before the welcome descent to Gilly and an AVS lunch menu there.

After lunch the way is mostly flat, if a little further than on some other rides, with a siesta reward at the home destinations.“

Good to his word, the Bleader led the group initially in the opposite direction to the lunch point at Gilly but soon started heading in a more direct line towards Arnex, through Signy, Grens and up to Gingins. Uncertainly of route was the only way to keep the e-bikes behind and prevent them exercising their full turbo potential. However, in achieving this aim the Bleader bypassed his intended route to the half Bonmont climb….a blessing that paid dividends later on the final uphill stage to Le Vaud. Our back Marker, now termed e-sweeper, was also timing his move as he learnt the characteristics of his bike only picked up the night before and being ridden for the first time.

Coffee was taken at our Givrins favourite boulangerie, with thanks to PeterT. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t accept in payment any of the 20000 Co-op points he had collected from purchase of his new bike.

All relaxed and non fatigued….at this point

The route to lunch was now significantly uphill and the e-bikers revelled in their freedom to run through the different levels of assistance and enjoy the thrill of smooth and effortless overtaking of anyone without similar aid. PeterS and Stephen manfully did their best to slipstream behind the others and pretend that they were enjoying the additional health benefits of the greater effort expended. PeterT in particular was riding a new high of the joys of sweat-free hill climbing with time to appreciate anew the surrounding views and not focus on the tarmac immediately ahead.

We regrouped at Le Vaud, which has a disappointing elevation of about 800m for the effort expended to get there. However, from here it is a great downhill (mostly) sweep through Burtigny to Gilly with fantastic views over the lake. Thoughts that non e-bikes would now come into their own were dispelled as the 25kph limit for e-bikes doesn’t apply downhill and we all proceeded at speed together directly to the Auberge Communale at Gilly.

All downhill from here

The restaurant has an excellent AVS menu: 3 courses for 25 SFr including a glass of wine. Between us we sampled the entire choice of salad or soup; fish, meat or vegetarian; rhubarb tart or profiteroles ; sandwiched between a beer and coffee.

Rhubarb tart was good but the profiteroles were the winners.

The route back from Gilly is flat if a little long after a full lunch. PeterT and Thatcher broke off at Gland to head down to the lake road, due to MéteoSuisse warnings of rain, whilst the rest of us stayed high and ran the gauntlet. In the event, the upper group was spared any rain but did find a particularly muddy section of unfinished track by the new buildings adjacent to the Signy Shopping Centre. Mark’s bike was duly christened. This group separated at Arnex, after meeting Ralph entertaining his 3 grandchildren in the communal playground…..it looked as if he might have preferred to have been out biking with us.

59km round trip from the Everness and 720m climb was recorded.

GIN Bikers – April 23rd 2026

St. George’s day and two true Englishmen and one Welshman stepped up to the challenge of the Swiss and French roads and tracks. Admittedly, Mark2Ts only applied the afternoon before, concerned that excessive celebration of a certain notable birthday might put him at a disadvantage….especially since an e-bike had not been amongst his presents. However, with already 8 apologies, the leader was all too happy to boost the participation by 50% and craft a ride without excessive of climbing.

The outline of the ride had been shared:
“I have devised a gentle ride with stops as needed. The general direction is from the Everness to Grilly, along the train track to Gex, onto Échenevex and down to Versonnex for lunch at Sur l’Ardoise. After a leisurely meal we can head back via Collex and the Versoix woods.”

It was a rare occasion that the party consisted solely of conventional bikes without an e-bike in sight. However, there are definitely moves amongst Mark and Mervyn to progress to battery-aided cycling. It is testament to their tenacity that they don’t want to concede before a certain PeterT, who in turn holds similar sentiment. It was suggested that a negotiation position for 3 e-bikes could resolve this stand off. Anyway, I digress.

Pedalling their craft on St George’s Day

Stephen, Mervyn and Mark set off at a leisurely pace from the Everness Hotel to the track the other side of the closed road between the Chavannes Shopping Centre and Chavannes des Bois, running alongside the French border. Those with thin tyres soon discovered that the track itself could benefit from some repair and had an early vibro-massage. Once onto the railway track at Grilly, the cycling was smoother and we could really enjoy being out in the nature. Although a little fresh at first the increasing blood circulation (and over layers) kept us warm. We allowed sufficient space between us to each feel at one with the surroundings but with stops as necessary to permit regrouping. By the time we reached Gex, there was a mood to stop for the mid-morning drink. However, despite at least 5 restaurants or bistros in or near the main square not one was open at 10.30h for the needs of passing cyclists or, indeed, for locals. We were pointed to a boulangerie a little outside the town, happily in the direction we wanted to head. This served our needs well.

Fortified , we tackled the first and only real hill climb of the day. This took us onto the upper road to Echenevex and past the Auberge des Chasseurs (which under new management is getting very good reviews). Although still early for lunch, we agreed to stop at the Maison Blanche Golf Club to enjoy the view from their terrace, but the leader chose the incorrect route which took us downhill and away from this destination into undiscovered territory. Deciding not to retrace the uphill ride, we continued to the original luncheon destination in Versonnex. As the route had not been researched, the line was far from direct but, helped by Mark’s handlebar mounted phone, we pioneered rustic French towns, beautiful wooded tracks as well as some rather more stony paths. We arrived at the reasonable hour of 12.30h for lunch and a table was found for us on the terrace of the Sur l’Ardoise.

Previously undiscovered leafy and sunlit glades were the reward for the pioneers

For 26 Euros a person we enjoyed a three course meal with beverages and coffees rounding up to a reasonable 40 Euros a head (tip included). As always with this restaurant the choice, quality and service was good. Stephen did comment on the “minceur” quantity of his main course but by the time the dessert had been consumed he felt more than adequately fed without being over full for the return journey. Conversation was up to usual GIN standards with a variety of subjects from wine costs, repainting costs, pigeon proofing solar panels, benefits of emeritus professorships, neighbourly re-grassing techniques and even touching upon topical middle east events.

After lunch it was a short ride back into Switzerland and then a delightful pedal through the Versoix Woods to the Chavannes Shopping Centre, where we split up to head back on the most direct paths to our individual homes.

In all, a round distance from the Everness of about 35kms and 450m climb was measured with small additions for individual routes to and from there.