Blog – GIN Club

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!

Hilly Gilly 20 Aug 2026

The forecast for Thursday 20th had been for continuous rain, but then it changed to something much more benign, so I sent out a late flyer hoping for a response. And it came from stalwart hiker Nathan.

Sadly Ralph responded that his father had just passed away yesterday aged 95. I sent our condolences. With apologies also from Mervyn, Stephen, Mark2rs, Chris and RichardS, this was to be a smallish party, typical of mid-August.

Altogether then and including visiting UK climbing chum from the 1970’s, Alick, and of course Kobie a team of 4 started out from the parking just above Bursins (515m), at the north end of the Sentier des Chataigneurs.

My plan was a clockwise ascent to 880m on the ridge that surrounds the Combe de Bursins, taking in the Pierre à Mille Trous, and coming down the long trail that takes in the Golettes (Schooners) Hut for a picnic lunch.

We commenced in a SW direction along the chestnutters path with a couple of short sharp descents before ascending up to the road that leads to Burtigny (of bikers descent fame). A short section in the field by the road leads to the woods again and the steep section where David Colledge hurt his knee a cuple of years back. We arrived at the ridge top with fine views open open fields, a fox visible lurking on the skyline, and two comfy chairs for my comrades where we took on some restoration. The view from here back to the Jet d’Eau and the whole Jura chain is magnificent.

Or young dog, who missed the fox on the skyline behind him

View from the chairs taken on 8 August on an earlier outing. I also passed here on 4 Aug when it was hot..

Suitably refreshed we passed in a N direction on up the path of the erratics dropped by the Rhône Glacier 20,000+ years ago, with the Thousand Hole Stone to admire. See (but don’t open the additional link to an itineraire) :-

https://www.visinand.ch/Blocs_erratiques/Vaud/Burtigny-Pierre_a_mille_trous/Burtigny-Pierre_a_mille_trous.htm#google_vignette

The trail then dives into the woods and for over 2 kilometers crests the scarp overlooking the combes on the right and with another couple of vertical erratics at a covert meeting spot. Passing by the tree trunk with ornaments and gifted trinkets, and the lone chair, it was not long before the hidden link to the descent path that starts just W of Prés Martines. This is an old and underused trail and partly on a disused bike path getting down to the road head at 761m where a small road comes up from Gilly. It was here that the only rain of the day began to fall.

We turned right and started of up the trail that meaders down though beautiful forest towards our lunch spot at the Golettes Hut. The rain soon eased.

Autumn on the ground but not in the trees

We arrived at the Golettes hut just after 1.15pm and ready for our picnic. This would be a good place for a large scale celebratory event.

A bottle of Gerwurtztraminer helped the conversation flow and we covered quite a bit of the world’s problems as well as a few of our own, recognising of course how lucky we are. We toasted absent friends especially Ralph. Nathan enjoyed a particularly exotic and expensive roll, while my Volg wrap did not choke me as we had fluids to sluice it down.

There remained a short descent along the road, then recrossing the Burtigny Road again and down steep steps to the very slippery-when-wet Japanese Bridge over the ornamental lake.

Altogether 10km and 460m (albeit my watch read 560m ??), and enjoyable short hike in beautiful low forest, with some good views to boot.

Lunch at the races 18 Aug 2026

Another hot day near the end of the 4th (or 5th?) heatwave this summer found 17 sitting down for lunch at the Grandstand restaurant at the Hippodrome in Divonne. Seventeen old nags and a few horses. Trotters and Traiteur.

A Toast : “To Lord de Brion, who had the good sense to win — and to the seventeen of us who had the even better sense to come for lunch.”

Here was Mark 2rs’s flyer of 21 July:-

“Gentlemen,

During a recent walk/lunch, Gary Vanatter stated that he had never been to the races at Divonne. So we decided to rectify it.

Our next lunch will therefore take place at 12:15 on Tuesday 18 August at the Hippodrome of Divonne. We shall be in the Restaurant Panoramique des Tribunes, catering by Daniel Gobet of So Good Traiteur, who prices his menu at €35.

Please let us know asap of your intention to join us, or otherwise. Parking is plentiful and free; no obligation to bet.

Very best regards

Mark and Gary”

and his follow up note:-

“Dear all,

It’s the first day of the races in Divonne today and I have reserved a table for noon on Tuesday 18 August provisionally for fifteen. I shall be confirming numbers on Tuesday 11 August, so there is a possibility for others.

As of now, I have thirteen confirmed:

Mike Müller, Richard Saynor, Robert O’Riordan, Nicolas Ulmer, Ken Forrester, Brian Allardyce, Trevor Davies, Rudolf Staehelin, John Broadbridge, John Burley, Peter Taylor, Gary Vanatter and myself.

And three apologies: Ralph Wares, Stephen Long and David Humphries.

Whereas the menu, now priced €36, has not been finalised, it will not be a cheese fondue. I show below today’s menu. The restaurant uses Daniel Gobet as traiteur and it was full today with contented looking people.

If anyone else wishes to come, or if there are any changes to my understanding of who is coming, please let me know by tomorrow night, 10 August.

Very best regards

Mark”

The seventeen gentlemen attending had one lunch, plently of beer and wine, but absolutely no useful tips. As one member was heard to say “we may be past our prime but we are still in the running (or this this case trotting)”.

The following were there:
Brian Allardyce
John Broadbridge
John Burley
Trevor Davies
Norman Eatough
Ken Forrester
Mike Muller
Mike Price
Robert O’Riordan
Richard Saynor
Rudolf Staehelin
Peter Taylor
Nicolas Ulmer
Gary Vannatter
Mark Warren
Mark Watts
Bill Westermeyer

True to form the main GINriders had jockeyed for table position by the time I arrived (by bike) but I was left with perhaps the best seat, next to Trevor and Brian with a commanding view of both the assembled company and the amazing racetrack and very beautiful backdrop of the forested line of the Jura. For many of us this was our first day at the Divonne races, for Trevor the first since he arrived in 1972.

Eight races were on the card, albeit the first had finished before noon. The 2nd race, the first for me, was “monté” (rider on horse), all the rest were “attelé” (rider in a chariot), and all were trotting. Gallopers seemed to become disqualified and were pulled up. Lunch was served pretty swiftly as the 2nd race started and it was clear that we had a superb vantage point high up in the stands, close to the start and finish line. We galloped into the salad supplied by our friendly waiter who also despatched beers and wines efficiently.

Brian, MikeP, Norman, John, Rudolph, MikeM, Nicholas tucking into the main course. Note the Race card – which for me needed a magnifying glass to decipher

Nicholas, Mark2rs, John, Richard, Bill, Mark2ts, Ken all true to form enjoying lunch

Ken, Robert, Gary, Trevor lunching while picking their winners

The main course was roast chicken in mushroom sauce and rice, the dessert a small sweet thing I cannot name.

“Maturity is knowing when to bet and when to order another bottle.”

I’m not sure if anyone actually placed a bet, Mark2rs seemed to operate by picking a winner and betting hypothetically. The only thing we were racing was the waiter. The horses trotted at great spped which seemed to increase with our wine intake. I know Number 4 won one of the races (Lord de Brion – see below) but apart from that I cannot relate any concrete race result information. Instead I asked ChatGPT to find out what actually transpired – see below.

Punters adjourn to the race deck, Mark2rs on a losing streak

Here they come, Race 5 the 2pm Prix Boucherie Léonard 2000m with No.2 in the lead (Marquis Fortis)

Form the right, Bill, John and Gary wondering when he will start winning

The 14.35 2600m with No.6 Laurène de Bailly in the lead (just)

It was a fine lunch and good to chat again with fellow Gints, certainly a novel location and a very interesting day out at the Trots.

It was soon time to trot off home. At our age every day at the races is a winning day. Thanks to Mark for such an innovative GIN lunch. I’m betting that there may be others to come.

Herewith what transpired out on the track from my AI chum :-

“I searched the French racing press and results for Tuesday 18 August 2026 at the Hippodrome de Divonne-les-Bains.

The interesting point is that the coverage is quite positive about the meeting, but it is mostly specialist French trotting/racing press rather than general newspapers.

🏇 The main story: Lord de Brion

The standout result was Lord de Brion, driven and trained by Matthieu Abrivard, who won the Prix du Conseil Départemental de l’Ain – Zenitude, the seventh race.

Lord de Brion won over 2,600 metres in 1’14”0, (Surely some mistake here as that is 126 kmph PT) beating Lagon des Brouets and Kronos du Klau. He had been a very strong favourite, starting around 1.4/1.

The specialist publication Le Trot gave the result particular attention, with the headline:

“Mardi à Divonne : Lord de Brion justifie la confiance de Matthieu Abrivard”

— essentially, “Tuesday at Divonne: Lord de Brion justifies Matthieu Abrivard’s confidence.”

The report notes that this was Abrivard’s first visit to Divonne-les-Bains, and that he left with a victory both as trainer and driver.

There was also some drama earlier in the afternoon

Abrivard had another horse, Néléa Mip, in the third race. Néléa Mip was initially first past the post but was relegated to second after an inquiry. So Abrivard’s later victory with Lord de Brion was particularly welcome.

What the racing press thought beforehand

Lord de Brion had been regarded as the obvious horse to beat. The specialist previews noted his recent form and the confidence of Abrivard, and he went off at approximately 1.4, so his victory was not a shock — he delivered exactly what the punters expected.

The final order in the key race was:

Lord de Brion — Matthieu Abrivard
Lagon des Brouets — Pierre Callier
Kronos du Klau — Corentin Parys
Kama Highland — Franck Peltier
Kinder Seven

☀️ And your lunch group has good timing!

The 18 August meeting was one of the major days of Divonne’s 2026 summer meeting. The town’s own programme lists the 18 August meeting as a trotting meeting starting at 11:30, between the special “Race & Care” day on 16 August and the “Hippodrome en fête” day on 21 August.

So if you’re looking for something amusing to say to your 17 gentlemen at lunch, you could legitimately toast:

“To Lord de Brion, who had the good sense to win — and to the seventeen of us who had the even better sense to come for lunch.”

Or, given that Abrivard had one horse demoted after an inquiry before winning later:

“A day at Divonne: even when you’re not first past the post, there’s always another bottle to win.” 🥂🏇

If you’d like, I can also dig out the full results of all seven races on 18 August, including the winning horses, jockeys/drivers and betting odds, which could make a rather good little “Divonne Race Day” briefing for your 17-man lunch.

I chose not to have this overinformation dug out (PT)

Biking to Jura Top 13 Aug 26

With our BLeader away it was time for the mice to play, on our E-Bikes. A hot day in prospect on the plain no doubt put a number of peddlars/peddlers off, but with a plan to go high the aim was to get up into cooler air.

Here was the flyer:-

“In the remote case that there is anyone interested to join me on Thursday, given that our Bleader is gallivanting elsewhere, I am planning a ride.

I very much enjoyed the E-Bike ride that I had up the Jura to La Vattay and Col de La Faucille last Wednesday for the Zip, that I would like to share it.

So, I plan to ascend the very quiet French route from Huttopia behind Divonne on the forest trail to the Noire de Divonne and Petit and Grand Grande ski trails (max 1406m) and thence to La Vattay with a short road section to the Col. The forest trail is all tarmac, at a reasonable gradient, and is shaded from the sun pretty well all the way. I took 2hrs 20mins from my house 1093m and 29km (but went slow as I was only on level 2 power for most of the way up).

Lunch at the Zip Col de la Faucille la Petite Chaumiere restaurant at 1262m (I’ll book a table). Max temp in forecast at St Cergue at 4pm is 29C. So it should be nicer that bit higher and earlier.

Return via Vattay and then the Grande Grande Chalet (in total another 200m up) descending the very quiet tarmac road on the Swiss side to near Bonmont and La Rippe. (It took me only an hour to get home last week, (albeit I went down the French route). I had 43% battery left.
Suggest we (if any takers) start at 9.30 from Everness. We should be home before the 35C temp hits La Côte.”

In the event 5 of us turned out at Everness on time. Mervyn, PeterSt, Mark2ts, Thatcher and me, with apologies from a number of folk.

The route (59km and 1300m) we followed was exactly as planned above:-

Bike route clockwise from Coppet up the French and down the Swiss mountain roads. Heart rate colours

Thatcher was about to part from us, he had done his bit for the day

It was good to see Thatcher out again, testing his operating system after his recent op. He sensibly turned back at the 800m contour satisfied that the test had gone well enough for the day. The rest of us carried on to the planned coffee stop at 1082m, after chatting with and passing a friendly non E Biker covered in sweat but enjoying the shady ride.

Coffee stop with fresh figs and Wernli (thanks PeterSt)

The E bikes were going well. Mervyn managed to get to Huttopia (570m) on no E power at all, as he said he had forgotten to charge his bike to 100%, and was saving power. It started with 85% which was more than enough. PeterSt carried a spare battery as he believed that his bike’s battery was not going to last the course (it did). We powered on (level 2 in Mervyn and my case) up to the Noire de Divonne and the temperature slipped down to a very pleasant level. The ride is now more gently up and then down to La Vattay and was a really pleasant highlight so I clicked up to Level 3 and we cruised at pace up the cross-country ski trail which used to be exhausting when skating, back in the day.

It was not long before we were à table at La Petite Chaumière, slowly served by a young lady with a T shirt that read “I am a simple woman”. But the beers came eventually and were cold and good.

Which came soon enough and was a fine reward

The food is not the best here, but it did the trick, most of us choosing the equally simple Jura salad, otherwise chicken. Coffees followed and we were away by 1.50pm, the heat rising a little at the col.

There followed an easy cruise down to La Vattay, a simple ascent up the Grande Grande ramp (exhasting to skate up) and across to the chalet of the same name, transitioning off the tarmac for 700m or so.

Just past the GG chalet and close to the Swiss border, reminiscent of Covid covert operations

The border gate is not locked and we were soon back in our home country taking the short ride up to the col (1414m).

Three riders at the top – pretty much downhill from here to home

The Swiss road down to La Rippe is not as wide or as clean as the French road we had ascended on. It is also a bit steeper in places. I had biked up this test piece before – several times with our Bleader. Coming down was a really nice ride, at first herding cows, and mostly on the brakes. At the P’tit Bard (1060m) we stopped for water. It was hotting up.

View from the P’tit Bard. Heat haze, going up to 34C

Happily Mark sorted out his brake lever which seemed a little out of sorts

From there it was a simple glide back down through the forest to La Rippe and Crassier where PeterSt turned off right to Divonne, his battery still giving him power. We said farewell to Mark at God’s Crossing (or is it Gods’ ?) and we were soon home for a shower and a siesta by 3.20pm. The day was still hotting up.

I had 46% power left.

A fine ride employing E-bikes for their most effective and proper use.

”240 club” zip and lunch, 5 August 2026

GIN 240 club zip line and lunch Col de La Faucille 5 August 2026

Back in the depths of winter, we were snowshoeing past the zip line departure point at the Col de La Faucille on our way to the Grand Montrond. Someone had the idea that as three of us (Mark 2tts, Mervyn and Richard) were going to have our eightieth birthdays this year, it would be fun, and a bit of a challenge, to leap into the unknown and take the zip down to Mijoux. We thought it would be something that perhaps some of the members of the hiking, biking and golfing groups that we are most involved with might be interested in doing too. Maybe half a dozen of us?! Well, there was a surprising response from members and their families and initially, twenty five brave souls signed up for the zip and lunch afterwards and thirteen more just for the lunch.

We had originally intended to have lunch at the Florimont restaurant, but as they are closed on Wednesday lunchtimes, we decided to eat at La Petite Chaumière which was just over 100 metres away from the zip. This proved to be fortuitous as such a large group of jumpers could not be accommodated in the morning slots, so we had to split the take-offs pre- and post-prandial. The restaurant needed menu choices so, after a certain amount of badgering, completed lists of entreés, mains and desserts were provided to them. Unfortunately, there were subsequently a few cancellations due to various health and other issues, so we finished up with 19 zippers and a total of 31 lunchers.

Despite earlier gloomy weather forecasts, on the day the sun was shining and the whole Col area was buzzing with people. There are so many activities up there – zip line, luge d’été, mini golf, accrobranche, etc, as well as good old-fashioned hiking and mountain biking. Everybody turned up at their appointed times and the early birds made their way to the departure point. Here they were weighed and measured before being fitted with full harnesses, very fetching hairnets, and helmets. They also had to carry the attachments for the zip line which were quite heavy as can be seen in the photos.

The screams (hopefully of delight) started to be heard at 11.30 as the first pair were belted up by the very efficient young men in charge and sent off into the void! The zip is purported to be the steepest in France descending 313 metres over a distance of 905 metres. Various combinations of legs and arms flailing could be observed from the platform and explanations offered as to why one of each pair went faster than the other. Obviously, nothing to do with the extra weight of the winner, more likely whoever was more streamlined!

All five initial double departures were completed safely and everyone returned to the Col by the pendular shuttles which were provided in good time for lunch. Three large tables had been set for us in our private corner of the restaurant and as regrettably, no table plan had been prepared, it was decided that each table would contain one member of the “240” club. The three of us had offered to cover the costs of all drinks consumed at the lunch, but the normal GIN hiking alcohol consumption amounts were quite restrained, possibly due to the presence of our female partners!

We were served the three quite acceptable courses and towards the end, Mervyn suggested that we sing the very aptly-named “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay” from the 1946 Disney film “Song of the South”. And as you know, 1946 was an exceptionally famous vintage year! There were several refrains sung and we earned rapturous applause from many of the fellow diners in the restaurant!

Time rushed on and it was time to say goodbye to some, settle the bill and leave for the zip line again for the rest of us. There was quite a large group of people awaiting being “saddled up”, but the kind gentleman there gave our group priority despite our arrival for 14.30 being a bit “juste”. Nine of us were subjected to the same indignities as our predecessors and made our way along the long ramp to the take-off.

Mark, daughter Gemma and granddaughters Lucy and Emily

Those harnesses don’t leave much to the imagination!

Peter was the last to leave and went down solo. We were already eight ready to take the shuttle back – nine was not an option, so Mark offered to wait to travel back with Peter who would have been left on his own. Unfortunately, the intractable driver insisted that we be eight – not seven – in the van, but there was a beer waiting for Peter when he finally got back to the Col.

Judging by everybody’s reactions, it was a successful event with no injuries or repercussions following the lunch!

We were reminded of what a great association GIN is as it celebrates its 20-year anniversary. Fortunately, we had Mike Price with us for lunch, one of the original 20 or so members. The membership list now shows 94 Gintlemen, so we are doing OK. Most of us are in our seventh, eighth and ninth decades and looking around the restaurant, what a pretty healthy-looking group we are, helped undoubtedly by the physical and mental activities of the association!

Here’s the list of participants:

Thanks to all for coming and we missed our friends who couldn’t make it.

Gin Hike 5 Aug 2026 Versoix River

Following the enjoyable and highly successful Zip descent event yesterday there were few takers for a hike today. In fact so few that only Mike Hempstead, Rocco and Kobie and I attended.

It was hot so we descended on the Versoix River walk from Sauverny bridge. Rocco was in vif form and enjoyed many swims. Kobie just paddled. The conditions were superb. We returned partially on the upper track.

Given the heat two hours was enough. 6.62km, 96m. No photo record.

Thanks to those who sent apologies for absence. All were accepted, all seemed well founded. Next hike in 2 weeks.

GIN Biking – Gex and back, 30 July 2026

End of July and another canicule. But this wasn’t enough to put off seven intrepid cyclists, (Bill, Mark W2ts, Paul, Peter T) and including three (Mike M, Richard F & Mervyn) who had conquered La Barillette (1528m) two days earlier, from signing up for today’s ride. Several other regulars were unavailable for various acceptable reasons. None cited the expected high temperatures, although may that have been contributory?

We duly assembled at Everness at 09:30 and set off to do a warm-up circuit of Lac de Divonne, where we met up with Peter T, who was late leaving home due to a technical issue with his bike – namely getting a bag strap meshed in the derailleur. What a tangled web some of us weave! And Kobie could not be blamed in any way for this impediment.

Then followed the now familiar course along the old railway track to Gex. Bill, on his non-e road bike was relieved that the partly gravel surface was sufficiently smooth for his slender tyres to negotiate without incident. Gex, being infamous for it’s almost complete absence of morning coffee stops, it required us to cross through town to a boulangerie/pâtisserie which we had located on a previous ride. There Paul treated us to coffee and cakes in a double celebration of his birthday and the publication of his new novel, Jungle Gyre, the third (and final?) in his satirical eco-thriller Borneo Trilogy.

Many thanks, Paul and congratulations.

Bill and cakes

A GIN bike ride would not be complete without some uphill and so it was that we rode up to Vesancy before sweeping down to La Rippe. An ascent of Bonmont had been mentioned and given that we had the time, if not unanimous enthusiasm, we did indeed head upwards. At this point the power of the e-bikes became clear as poor old Bill, valiant and strong thus far, was now relegated to the position of lanterne rouge, so much so that he lost contact with the e-group and missed a left turn near the top. The leader had earlier mentioned the lunch venue so felt sufficiently confident that those who were hungry enough would congregate there.

The descent back down to La Rippe and Crassier was both swift and well-deserved. There Richard left us to enjoy the rest of the day at home in the cool, mentioning something about mad dogs and Englishmen. Mike had earlier peeled off as he had an afternoon appointment with Odysseus at the Balexert IMAX.

The final few kilometres in the heat were accomplished at pace and we duly arrived at the lunch venue, L’Auberge du Lion d’Or in Tannay, at 12:50, a minute after Bill. A table for 7 had been set up for us on the terrace although the lunch party was now reduced to five. Ice cold water and beers were greatly appreciated and a delicious plat du jour of cold soup or salad and sautéed gambas ordered and enjoyed.

Yes, it’s the plat du jour!

Paul holding forth

As hot, tired bodies gradually eased the conversation flowed, although this scribe can’t remember much of what was discussed. I’m sure it was just as erudite and pertinent as per usual.

For most it was, from Tannay, a short if hot uphill ride back home.

Vital statistics for the day: distance 55Km, deniv 500m?, temp 37°C

Mervyn Powell

Walk 29 July 2026

We shall meet and start from the Place de l’Ancienne Gare in Divonne at 9h30 and proceed on the path that was the old railway line towards Grilly but turning up beforehand to the upper woodland path for our return via the Grande Source with an ETA of 12h00.

There were three of us and a dog for this walk, Bill W, Rudolf S (and Daisy) and Mark 2R. We set off on time in the sunshine reminding us, if we needed it, that the day was going to be very hot. Thankfully, much of the walk was in the shade but even so Daisy was very pleased to have a couple of water stops, as were we.

Interestingly, the path to the Grande Source was marked as closed for works, and indeed much work was in progress closing the main path; but as the Source was waterless, we, and other walkers but not cyclists, were able to cross further down. We had made such good progress that we had plenty of time to enjoy a welcome beer under the plain trees of the Pavillon du Golf and then back to our start point just after midday.

GIN hike, la Barillette, July 23, 2026

We were in the middle of the heatwave so we decided on a relatively short hike in the Jura with not too much denivelation. The idea was to hike from chalet de la Dôle, up to la Dôle, down to Col de Porte then on to la Barillette and down to the restaurant for lunch. After lunch less than 3 kn back to the cars.

Despite the short notice, seven plus a dog turned up at the Divonne parking where we grouped into 2 cars for the drive up the Jura, 4 in Richard’s car, 3 plus Kobie in Peter’s.

We were Stephen, Bill, Richard S, Mervyn, Nathan, Mark 2Ts, Peter T and Kobie,

Almost as soon as we’d set off Peter managed to fall over a small dip in the road and badly scraped his knee. He refused to repeat the exercise for the camera so we have no photographic evidence, other than excessive bandages on his leg. (Except the selfie – see below – a shocked PHT added later).

After that we set off for the Chalet de la Dôle and then the usual circuitous route up to the Dôle summit. Someone claimed to see some chamois but they were very far away and not easy to distinguish.

We reached la Dôle after about 1 hour and found a quiet spot just beyond the radomes for the obligatory hydration pause, essential liquid being provided by Stephen and Peter (red and white).

Suitably hydrated we took 2 different routes down to the Col de Porte: Stephen, Mervyn and Nathan took the right hand path above the precipice while the rest of us took the safer path below the ski lift. Bill managed to combine the two as he found a right turn that joined up with the scary path.

After the Col de Porte we were all together until two renegades decided to check out the Chalet des Apprentices, no names but one had the longest surname, the other the shortest. It was closed.

After la Barillette we walked down the road to the restaurant, arriving by pure chance at 13:00, the same time as the reservation. Beers were rapidly ordered then most had sausage of one colour or another, no fondus. Richard produced the famous bottle, now containing an evil looking brew of egg cognac? Most of us had it instead of cream on our tarts aux myrtilles which made it quite acceptable.

Lunch finished, it was time to tramp back up the road to la Barillette then across the fields back to the cars and home for a siesta.

Total trip about 9 km with 470 m of devivelation.

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

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.

_______________

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.)

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.