Blog – Page 22 – GIN Club

GIN Bikers – July 29th – The Three Hills

No gain without pain……

Three veteran manual bikers and two e-bikers (PeterD, Mervyn, Stephen, e-Paul, E-Thatcher) met at the Chavannes Hotel at 10h with the promise of a nostalgic 3 hills ride. For those not in the know, the 3 hills ride was devised some years ago by PeterD. This challenge attracted PeterT and Stephen, who then formed the origins of the GIN biking club. The ride includes conquering the Bonmont, Versancy and Mourex hills. On this occasion, Stephen decided that a warm up was required and led a circuitous route from Chavannes via Céligny, Crans, Eysins, Signy, L’Asse, Duillier until traversing to Gingins and the start of the 3 hills.

For some, this warm-up seemed a little excessive (1H30m), and on the way to L’Asse a break away group tried to take a short cut and had to be called back in line. A pause was also required at Givrins to top up on fluids having experienced the first uphill slope from Duillier. However, by the time we arrived at Gingins we were all eager to tackle the first real climb. The e-bikers realised that their role was to encourage the non-assisted pedal power and the leader carefully avoided telling them the exact route so that they couldn’t progress too far ahead. The statuary photo was taken at the top of the Bonmont hill:

Still happy after hill 1…..

Lunch was promised in Versancy at a new restaurant run from the château in the centre of town. The heat and the length of warm up affected some riders and the climb up to Vesancy was not as smooth as on some previous occasions. Exhaustion and lack of attentiveness also meant that PeterD and e-Thatcher rode past the restaurant and completed an extra hill before lunch. It was noticeable that only the e-bikers had energy to speak initially and we gained a preview of “scenes” from Thatcher’s potential autobiography. The lunch was magnificent! Paul ensured that our fluid levels were properly maintained as he generously picked up the bill for these in celebration for an imminent birthday. (note to future organisers: book a tour near August 1st and invite Paul). An impressive choice of lunchtime menus and friendly service also meant that calories were replaced and a general feeling of content spread amongst us. Unfortunately, after a lengthy lunch we realsied that we had to move on and tackle the final short bt sharp hill up to Mourex. Paul saw the potential of a way out as he decided to circumnavigate this hill and head in the direction of Gex as an effective way to return to Geneva.

The danger of eating and drinking well is that concentration is often impaired. Unfortunately, on the descent from Vesancy, Paul wandered from the tarmac, hitting the verge and ultimately tumbling onto the tarmac. Whilst PeterD and Stephen were unaware of this event behind them, Mervyn and Thatcher were picking up the pieces and washing down skin scrapes. Happily, Paul managed to return home by his chosen route and is not too much the worse for the incident. Ironically, he was the only one of us not to have imbibed at lunch. Is there a moral here?

Having conquered the 3 hills again, we dispered to our respectives homes from Divonne.

Statistics: Warm and sunny. Ca. 48km (>70km for Paul), saddle time: ca. 2h25m, eating (and drinking) time: 2h20m, elevation gain: 710m, average speed 19.4km/h.

GIN Hikers – Crêt de la Neige – July 22nd 2021

In the middle of a heat wave, a hike on the cool heights of the Jura seemed to be a good idea. Admittedly, the organising committee had taken a few attempts to arrive at this decision, much aided by Mark2Rs initiative…..the normal organiser being away on a summer break. Many of the other usual hiking members were also absent or otherwise engaged . So it was a select band of three: Rob, Mark2Rs and Stephen who met in Divonne at the old railway station at 08.30. Rob volunteered his car and with car SatNav and Mark’s help we managed to find the cable car at Crozet on first attempt, just as it was starting up for the day. The ascent was then easy up until Fierney and we happily watched from above some hikers plod up the long tortuous path from the bottom.

As happy in the télécabine on the way up as we were on the way down

At the top we started to follow the direction of the snow shoeing trail some 17 months earlier, albeit without snow. The initial plan had been to head towards La Catheline and then along the ridge to the Crêt de la Neige. However, the organising committee impetuously decided to follow an alternative track which seemed to lead in the right direction. This it did indeed do, but circumnavigating the base of the Crêt, much lower than anticipated on a very agreeable undulating floral track, via La Calame and Curson.

Beautiful alpine flower carpet

Not so beautiful hikers…..but not many of them

The final ascent to the Crêt de la Neige was not difficult and, once there, we realised how well our chosen path had taken us from the mass of day trippers.

Joining the crowds on the Crêt de la Neige

The real incentive for the hike was the promise of a rustic refuse, previuosly frequented and vetted by Mark and Richard. Reaching the Refuge de la Loge in summer did take a little longer than when visited on skis and despite some momentary doubts about direction, after descending from the main path between Crêt de la Neige and the Grand Grêt, we did indeed end up at the promised hostellerie, which lived up to it’s reputation. A hearty main dish of sausage, potato and beans (with seconds thrown in free of charge) and a few beers was followed by tarte aux mirtilles. This was rounded off by a small glass of herbal alpine spirit…kindly supplied by our host, Frank.

The first of two platefuls (and beers) and all for 14 Euro

We feared the return ascent, with attitudes more for snoozing than exercise, but as it turned out the ascent via La Catheline was not steep and the return down to the lift at Fierney brough back memories of our earlier snow shoeing adventures…..not least a cross-field section where the path we were on unexpectedly ended.

We rounded off our very successful day of ca. 15km hiking and 720m elevation difference by toasting absent colleagues at the télécabine base station. A walk definitely to be repeated.

GIN Bikers – July 15th 2021

“It’s raining, men, hallejulah…..”

The summer months have arrived, along with changeable weather, and an absence of many of our members. So, it was a determined residual 3 of PeterT, Mervyn and Stephen, fresh back from a lengthy stay in the homeland, who ventured out in a forecasted respite from the rain. A gentle pedal was promised along the base of the Jura in the direction of a terrace lunch and a gentler pedal home.

Unfortunately, the weather gods did not read the script and the heavy rain, due to begin at 14.30h, decided to make an early appearance. We met at the Chavannes Hotel at 10.30h and headed in the direction of Chavannes-de-Bois, through the woods and then crossing into France towards Grilly to pick up the old train track back into Switzerland. Rain attire had to be donned before we reached Crassier. The easy escape route back to the warmth and dry of our respective homes was shunned and we pressed on, with occasional stops to check tyre pressures, through Gingins and Givrins towards Genolier. At this stage there was an anticipation that the leader would head straight to the lunch booked at the Hotel de la Reunion in Coinsins. However, having been deprived of the hill challenges during his 6 week stay in the UK and with the need to compensate for over-indulgence in bitter, pork pies and fish and chips, he headed up the hill past the Genolier clinic. At the top of this road, the further climb to Bassins was rejected and we descended rapidly towards the hostellerie and a very welcome lunch and refreshments.

The terrace was fresh but nowhere near as climatically challenging as our first outing of the year when restaurant terraces were the only permitted means of eating out. The menus de jour were more than acceptable and between us, by all having something different, we managed to sample 60% of them (for the less mathematically gifted, that’s 3 from the selection of 5). Feldschlossen beer also had a beneficial effect.

The rain had eased somewhat for the stomach-heavy ride home through Trelex, Grens and Borex. At this point, the leader peeled off for the short ride home, taking advantage of his route and leaving the pack of two to the wet additional 7 km in front of them……

Ride statistics: Wet conditions, 46km, 2h15m saddle time, average speed 20.8km/h, 676m maximum and 441m minimum elevation with overall climb of 456m.

The walk on Wednesday to Le Vuarne. 2021.07.14.

The aim of the walk was to get a group of ten to fifteen men out on a two hour walk which was going through an area which would be of interest and was going to be easy walking for all, and then go to a nearby restaurant for a good meal and put the world on the right path in the conversations.

All turned up on time at the meeting place at the Camping des Cheseaux just west of the village of St-Cergue where there was plenty of parking along the roadside and we then started the walk along the road to the hamlet of La St-Cergue as the paths over the meadows were muddy after recent heavy rain which would have been to easy to slip and fall on, so we stayed on the road all the time.

The Vuarne is a dale to the north of the Barillette hill and the slope of the road there is much less than the earlier part of the walk. A feature there is a pond with a well built wall around it but with no entrance, and by the roadside is a stone with a small metal plate screwed on it and engraved with “La pierre à Vogler”. A farmer who had grazed her cows there had been asked about it but did not know anything about it. Maybe she was in a hurry to start milking the cows.

When we reached the path leading up to the pass between the Barillette and the Dole we turned back and headed down at a slightly faster speed than on the way up. We were lucky to have Philip Jenkins in the group who was able to point out different features of the wayside plants and these were then photographed by Tim Goodyear. When passing through the hamlet of La St-Cergue we were allowed to photograph a pack of sled dogs which were housed in the garden of a chalet there and were not in the least upset by our interest in them. A pleasant change from the guard dogs sometimes found in house gardens.

The restaurant we had booked was the Maison de Ville in the middle of the village and we were joined for the meal by Brian Allardyce who was not able to go on the walk as he is recovering from an operation, so that made the group up to twelve. We were all seated at a long table and were very well fed. At the end of the meal Alan Baker gave a short speech as walk coordinator and we then went out to our nearby cars. By this time it had started to rain so we were lucky with the weather on the walk.

The men on the walk were:

Alan Baker, Barry Armstrong, Tim Goodyear, Gerry Swart, Mark Warren, Mike Price, Paul Sochaczewski , Philip Jenkins, Richard Saynor, Rob MacKenzie, Wouter Van Ginneken.

Rob MacKenzie

2021.07.19

Rochers De Naye Hike

GINs Hike – Grottes and Rochers de Naye

8 July 2021

Rob had chosen an interesting and challenging hike for this mid-summer walk. Challenging for several reasons. 1. The weather was unpredictably dubious. 2. The drive to the start at the Col du Jaman was hair-raising for those with hair as well as those without. 3. The intended hike involved an ascent up a steep cliff on ladders. 4. There was still some snow about. 5. A steep descent, after a full lunch, was hinted at.

Attending Rob, Marks W and W, Richard S, Mervyn, David, Philip, Bill and Peter T. Apologies from several including Thatcher.

If truth be told (which it should never be in these pages) the weather was not all bad. Heavy rains were clearing as we arrived and had started again some 30 minutes from the end of the hike, with some while we were inside having a nice lunch at the Rochers de Naye.

Driving up to the start was interesting. At one point at a red light train barrier, a member of the car behind the leader’s car knocked on the leader’s window and had the temerity to ask if the leader knew where he was going. It seemed he thought he did, but he remarked later that this en-route questioning had been a novel experience and had been slightly unsettling for him. Google Maps had a wholly different routing from the leader’s SatNav.

Three cars driven by Rob, Richard and Mark W2ts eventually arrived at the start col after following wet, winding and steep, narrow roads in brightening weather. We were all exhausted but the drivers perhaps exceptionally so.

It was only 9.30am but the leader urged us to start and so we set off at regimental pace (nb without Steve, a Gintlemen in England now abed) across and up and across again to the misty cliffs guarding the summit of the Rochers de Naye.

Ignoring short cuts offered by Philip, one member decided to force a short cut across a large and steep snow patch that lay across the slope. Opting for a high path on the lip of the bergschrund his unsuitable cheap trekking boots could not get a grip and with flailing sticks and a merry shriek he accelerated down on an imaginary bum-board towards a rock below. Happily terminal speed was low and only pride was hurt. Sadly this episode was not caught on camera.

One member descended this snow slope on his backside

The route in summer – the grotto we visited is at the higher blue dot, the lower was encased in snow

What followed was outside the norm of our experience. A traverse across wet slabby rocks using a hand chain let to a series of long ladders following a steep line up the cliff. Mist swirled around and it was airy. In truth (see above) the party cruised this crux section with little problem. We passed the entrance to the cave of the Grottes de Naye, surprisingly partially filled with snow after a small entrance door.

With no time or inclination for extensive speleology, we continued steeply up and breasted the crest of the ridge into the promised land of open slopes and flowers. Except there was a lot of mist about. Within 40 minutes we were ensconced, 9 to a table, in the warmth of the restaurant at the top of the RdN railway, a full hour earlier than Rob had booked for.

Lunch was most convivial with beers and white wine washing down excellent and tasty Rösti Montagnards, sausage and chips etc served by friendly and efficient young waitresses. Oh, and Richard had a black burger. No mention was made (to my knowledge) of Scottish independence.

Wanting no dessert (other than coffee) and with little in the way of Scottish fluid in prosect, the time for dreaded descent had come and in view of the pitter patter of rain outside we kitted up for the worst. Oddly the worst was delayed for another 90 minutes and it was dryish as we descended the airy, rocky path below a herd of chamois, enjoying some excellent nourishment on the verdant slopes.

We were given tantalizing views through clearings in the cloud, down to spectacular green ridges below, finally to a window out over shining Vevey and the blue Lac with an approaching wall of grey rain still 20km away. A long, steep rocky gully was descended with little problem and we were soon speeding across the (sort of) traverse line back to the cars in order to minimize time in the inevitable heavy downpour we had seen coming. Bill spotted some cows so he was happy at last. A fit young lady with strong legs in dayglo hot pants passed us running up and many were happy at last.

Hikers nearly home – but before the rain arrived..

The rain finally caught us and we had 30 minutes or so of drenching. We said our farewells and jumped into our vehicles out of the wetness. A convoy of cars descended a longer but easier route down through Caux, headlights blazing in the dark cloud and rain that made 4pm seem like midnight. There remained a tortuous maze of back streets of Montreux and an uneventful but wet ride back home along the autoroutes. Mark W2tts was happy, Pakistan had been bowled out for 154.

Another memorable hike in great company. It makes the donated subscriptions that our webmaster extorts from us seem like real value. Thanks to Rob for organising such a super trip. He even carried poles this time, but never used them, so it could not have been that difficult a hike. Thanks again also to our three volunteer drivers for your heroic service. 700m deniv – or was it 880m ? 10.5km

Bikers tour de France 2021-07-01

Peter D led and domestiques Mervyn, eThatcher, Mark supported, a ride almost entirely through France. In the absence of Peter T and Steve we did not have to go via Bonmont so we left Divonne and headed via Vésenex, La Rippe, Vesancy to Gex, then onto Echenevex and both Nazes: Dessus and Dessous where we stopped for lunch at the Maison Blanche. For the first time in recorded history we did not attack the golf club across the fields but rode in via the main entrance (must be without the hooligan members).

A great lunch, outside , by the 10th tee, watching some youngsters from an interclub (and international) competition. I’ve no idea how they even hit the ball, let alone make it sound so sweet.

Then into the saddle again and onto Cessy, then via the old railway line to Grilly and Divonne.

Forgot al about photos until the end

At the end, outside Charlie’s pub, firmly resisting the temptation for a final beer.

A great ride, about 40km. But missing the 2 sprinters.

Walkers explore the Versoix 2021-06-30

The Swiss metéo promised a relatively dry morning so 16 walkers gathered at the bridge at Sauverny on Wednesday morning for a walk along the Versoix river and back through the Versoix woods. We had heavy rain the day before so the path was expected to be muddy and did not disappoint, however nobody fell and nobody got hurt. The path down, which keeps a view of the Versoix on the right, was new to several of the walkers making this a journey of exploration.

Several sections of this walk follow Swiss National hike #3, Alpine Panorama Trail, which runs for 510 km from Rorschach beside Bodensee to Geneva. So these sections were well signposted. However the leader insisted on following smaller paths where possible with the result that we nearly lost part of the party.

After about an hour we came to a decision. The path straight ahead was know to contain a large boulder which would be difficult to scramble over, especially if wet, so several of us took a short cut, up a steep bank and through a field we later learnt was out of bounds and onto the main footpath through the woods. The other part of the group continued on beside the river to pont de Bossy and then caught us up.

We then returned along good paths through the woods, before joining our original path beside the river and returning to the parking. Overall about 6.5 km.

*The team after the walk, from left Wouter, John, Thatcher, Richard, Mark 2Rs, Dave,* Drew, Mike, Rob, Tim, Bryan, Alan, Paul, Bill, Gerry. Mark 2Ts behind the camera.

This was probably the largest GIN gathering since the start of the lockdown in March 2020. Long live the freedom!

Fourteen of us then went to the Vieux Bois in Divonne for a convivial, and unbelievably cheap, meal. An added bonus: this was the first day that France allowed more than 6 people at a table in a restaurant.

Four members volunteered to lead future walks as follows

July 14	Rob Mackenzie
July 28	John Burley
Aug 11	Mike Price
Aug 25	Gerry Swart

They should share their plans with Alan Baker, the walking group coordinator.

Participants: Alan Baker, Bill Westermeyer, Bryan Clark, David Gwilliam, Drew Meek, Gerry Swart, John Burley, Mark Warren, Mark Watts, Mike Price, Paul Sochaczewski, Richard Saynor, Rob Mackenzie, Thatcher Shellaby, Tim Goodyear, Wouter van Ginneken.

Click here for map of our route

Moleson Ten

24 June 2021

A motley crew of ten turned out for a circuit and ascent of the Moleson above Gruyères on a day that promised rain. In the event we were lucky and it kept dry.

Attending: Marks W and W, Richards Saynor and Wiley, David, Rob, Philip, Mervyn, Bill (Westermeyer freshly returned from the Rockies) and myself.

The plan was to repeat the route of 2017 where David, Peter Drew, Jonathan and myself enjoyed a misty round. As such all but two of us were new to this hill, 2007m tall, above the carpark at 1100m by the cable tramway. There was some ribaldry as we ascended the first section to the halfway station, the mountain was not visible in the cloud and a few were doubting its existence, more were worried about getting a lunch. We were joined by a dog, leaving us at the tramway station but which we met later in the day.

There was some further disbelief looking up at the lines of the via ferratas of the main cliff but the fine cows attracted attention (Bill’s in particular as he had been missing them in the USA) and we were soon supping coffee with fresh cream at Gros Plané. Philip was intent on investigating shortcuts and could see little reason why the intended route did not go straight up. I explained that he was pointing up at a possible descent route. A circumnavigation would allow an approach along a fine airy ridge from the south.

It was clear in my mind that we were not going to arrive at the summit for lunch before 2.30 pm and encouraged eating of the local patisserie at our coffee stop. Surprisingly few grumbles were heard if any, as after a downward passage and a turn left, the ascent to the ridge passed almost painlessly. We were soon treated to fabulous views across the valleys, a flower bedecked ridge kissed by misty cloud, fitful sun and a fine breeze from the west. At least one could not get lost and my worries about herding cats eased. David was striding ahead and even Rob was beginning to enjoy the airiness, the ridge provided just enough.

The final ascent to the cable station and thence up to the Moleson summit remained, and at the top we were bathed in sunshine for a minute or two with 360 degree views. There were very few other hikers around, nor many tourists back down at the cable station. Finally at 3pm inter-alia eight Gruyères cheese fondues were consumed with several bottles of Chasselas in an almost empty restaurant. Happy hikers it seemed.

There only remained the question of how to get down. Information passed around that the cablecar departed every 20 minutes. The alternative was a long knee-grind down Philip’s shortcut. Rain appeared on the window. A storm was coming. Rob was finally persuaded that others had knees that preferred the easy way down (including those of his driver). We hurried our coffees and piled into the cabin for a swift descent to the tram, where our hound of the morning was given an allocated cabin to his owner waiting below.

An enjoyable tramp along an airy ridge up a rewarding hill with a simple descent saving our knees, in great company. 10.8 km and 1080m ascent.

Apologies from many. My apologies to Thatcher – I had mis-copied the distribution list and he did not receive the email flyer I sent to Thatcher.Shellaby@gmail.co ….Sorry Bruce !

Team and mountain. Shorts in preponderance.

Coffee stop with tarts, lemon and vin cut.

The Moleson summit and cable station from our ridge

A protected narrow section with our ridge behind.

Social bridge, June 22, 2021, “Yarborough”

Five of us played a very pleasant few hands at Dave’s house. We welcomed new member Jerry Swart who has just moved to Divonne from Florida. Ken celebrated returning from Portugal by receiving a yarborough which, the internet informs me, has an expected frequency of 1 in 1828 hands.

I had the misfortune to be partnering Ken and played 3 clubs which only went down by 1.

Participants Dave Gwilliam (host), Richard Wiley, Ken Forrester, Jerry Swart, Mark Watts.

Biking the Barillette at 70

17 June 2021

The day dawned hot and I began to experience an unsettling fight or flight reaction. The Barillette bike ride is a rite of passage for certain gintlemen of the biking group on attaining the age of 70, but it involves much pain, misery and perturbation. It’s a right-awful rite. It comprises 24 km of tarmac from Coppet and 1,100m or so of ascent. Perhaps we are trying to prove that we are not dead yet, albeit the ride itself might force such a conclusion, especially on such a hot sunny day.

I had just turned that age and Peter Drew who had accomplished this with others of us in 2019, was organising the event and would join me. Peter’s sons were also absent his year and Stephen was stuck now abed in England thinking himself accursed he was not here. Happily Mark Watts was organising a support hiking group who would join us for lunch at the Barillette restaurant, should we make it. Mervyn was going to be delayed but elected to drive up and provide moral and taxi support. These support groups really did give us moral support – a convivial beer and fine meal on a terrace would follow the coming nightmare and this thought kept me going through the ordeal.

Peter and I set off at pace from Divonne Lake and I was disappointed when he told me that our route would be direct, straight up and no messing about, through Crassier and La Rippe to the start of the climb itself. The heat was hot as they say and only slightly diminished as we entered the Bonmont woods. I began to realise that I had forgotten to pack painkillers and electrolyte for my water bottle.

Turning up past Bonmont a large and luxurious Mercedes open top sports car passed us with a biking-now-hiking member waving his cap at us, causing a sap to morale. We were beginning now to weave across the road to shelter from the hot sun on the shady side of the surface. I pulled ahead a little sensing Peter was pedalling in a lower gear than me. We had both done a little training before this day, but perhaps not enough. My biking activities were being curtailed by dog hiking but I had managed the P’tit Bard at 1060m on the road to Combe du Faoug a few days earlier; Peter had trained on the 3 Hills.

Gasping in the heat we stopped at 870m for a rest and a drink. We tried to assess if we could make it with one more stop at 1200m but this proved futile. On we went, an elderly couple on e-bikes sailed up past us. As did a young lady on a road bike. Gradually I realised that Peter was not keeping up behind me and ground to a halt at 1140m. I called him by phone and he said he was resting but would be up shortly. He eventually arrived and we discussed tactics in the continuing heat, his words to me were – just carry on and I’ll see you at the top.

So, on we separately went in lower gears than of past, unremembered, ascents. Trying to blank out the grim reality of what was happening – we were here actually attempting to bike the Barillette – at our ages. At about 1300m or so I stopped with cramp in my right thigh, and another young lady passing me on a VTT calling out “Courage!”. I responded “Crampe!”. Peter was somewhere below and eventually I massaged my leg into action and continued. It was just after the turning to the Chalet de la Dôle that Mervyn passed me in the Batmobile “it’s only the last mile to go” he exhorted waving a red bottle. Finally after more numbing switchbacks and near-cramp leg experiences, Mervyn himself appeared by the roadside with 400m to go, offering to empty the contents of his bottle over my head.

The top was in glorious sun and I collapsed on the ground in relief. We spoke by phone to Peter who was somewhere lower on the mountain but who said he was taking his time and would be up shortly, he suggested we go down to the restaurant. Mervyn duly loaded my bike onto the rack of the Batmobile and we glided down past Mike and Mark Warren who were close to the venue. The terrace was decked out splendidly under some white flecked sunshade material that gave me the impression of paradise above the Shangri-la valley and lake far below. Richard and Mark Watts arrived from La Dôle summit and we quaffed down some beer. Finally Peter arrived looking thinner than usual but in good cheer. Not dead yet we had made it! , and a most convivial lunch followed of salad, sausage and chips, with apricot tart washed downed with several bottles of excellent white wine (I was too exhausted to make a note of the exact make but I think it was indeed Chasselas) then coffee.

Mervyn eventually taxied Peter and I and our bikes safely down to the heat of the Terre Sainte and home.

Many thanks indeed to everyone involved. The support team were amazing and the lunch was great. Peter D deserves a special medal for joining me in conditions that were far hotter than we had previously experienced. Thanks too to Richard for the magnesium meds. They worked and I had no further cramps.

Apologies from absent friends from Stephen, Philip, Paul and Thatcher – and there may have been others, my apologies to them. We toasted absent friends and missed them.

Ebikes next time ?

The route up with heart beat colouring for me.

The author at the top, on a bottle provided later by Mervyn (Merci M!). To be laid down for a year or two.

Mervyn and Mike

With Mark W

With Mark W

Beam me up