Category: Biking

Mayday mayday. Normally a call for help – but happily no infarctions or other incidents occurred on this first bike ride for a while and the first with our BLeader for 2 years (he recounts).

There should have been eight of us but sadly Drew had to pull out so we were the Magnificent Seven instead of a Great Eight. It was indeed a magnificent day and we all assembled at 10 am at the Everness. Attending Stephen (Bleader), PeterD, Ralph, Ivan, E-Paul (who had biked out from Geneva) and E-Richard, with me (out on my 3rd ride of the year).

Stephen has adapted his bike to accommodate a leg that does not (yet) bend quite enough, after his knee replacement. A fascinating but simple additional pedal and crank attached to the original pedal crank.

I found an example on the internet that looks similar to the one he has on his bike.

There was a feeling of good cheer in the team, a shining sun, a lunch at Coinsins and only a Bonmont in prospect to spoil the pleasure.

We set off gently through the woods and over the Versoix River to Grilly. Talk of a coffee at Crassier morphed into a coffee at Givrins after achieving the Bonmont goal. We traversed Divonne and headed up towards Bonmont passing Tranchepied. The angle increased as did the effort. E-Bikers sailed up the hill while 5 of us struggled up. Ralph complained that his bike was designed more for flat and downhill riding, but he made it. The temperature was perfect.

After a period of self congratulation we headed off down for a Givrins coffee. Except that our BLeader took an executive decision to forego coffee in favour of earlier beer at Coinsins. We freewheeled down in the warm morning weather and turned into the carpark at the Coinsins restaurant. Being 1 May there were quite a number of diners in place already.

There followed some excellent beers and we all chose the steak frites, except Richard who chose the sausage but with frites not rösti. Much discussion still about Trump, the state of the world and growing vegetables. Paul had just returned from Indonesia and was still jet lagged, but he was energised by the wonderful sub aqua and temples he had just experienced. Ivan was recovering from a bad knee accident playing basketball but now seems on the mend. Stephen seemed relaxed and indeed cruised the whole route with his offset crank. Richard back from 3 months in S.Africa seemed good to be back.

After coffees we all heading back to Gods Crossing, with first Paul turning left to the Nyon train, then Ivan breaking off to his home.

A really pleasant ride with a Bonmont that looking back did not seem too hard, and a great lunch outside on the terrace under a substantial sunshade.

I recorded about 50Km and 500m denivellation.

Four faithful fellows forewent broomsticks for bikes this Hallowe’en (31.10.24) – Ivan, Mark2Ts, Peter T plus yours truly. The usual litany of excuses for absence, ranging from the forgivable to the feeble, was received from…….. no names, but you know who you are.

We met up at Divonne Lake at the appointed hour of 10am and after a brief conflab agreed to try to find the elusive sun which was reported to be shining above 800m. This entailed a ride past Bonmont and further up the road towards La Barillette. At the junction leading towards the pond we were still in mist so decided to head on up to the junction at 888m. En route we were pursued and, much to our astonishment and shame, overtaken by an elderly ironman on roller-skis out training for the upcoming ski de fond season!

Still not in sunshine we ventured further up until, at 990m we were finally rewarded with clear blue skies and an appreciable rise in air temperature. Our own temperatures were decidedly on the high side after 90 minutes of exertion, not least Ivan, who had for the previous couple of kilometers struggled with the added handicap of a back tyre rubbing hard up against the bike frame. He had been putting so much pressure on the chain that the wheel had become misaligned. As none of us possessed the requisite spanner (Peter D, you were missed) it was an easy decision to head back down. After all we had reached our goal – the sun.

The descent was decidedly on the chilly side with cold air blowing on sweat-soaked clothing so it was with great relief that we repaired to the restaurant at the foot of the hill in Crassier soon after 12 noon. We’d eaten there some years back but it is now the Restaurant La Semplicità, under new Italian management and to be recommended. Beers and the plat du jour plus desserts were thoroughly enjoyed, except by a very strong-willed Mark who is still on the wagon for another week.

A satisfying outing and a rewarding contrast to the washout of two weeks earlier. Hope we can fit in a few more rides before the snows come.

Vital statistics: dist. 33.5 Km, deniv. 601m

Well that was the bike trip that wasn’t.

Of the seven who had signed up for this outing two sensible souls – the Honourable Members for Founex and for Rolle – believing their own eyes rather than the weather forecast, decided to stay in their pyjamas in preference to donning wet weather cycling gear. That left five of us who duly assembled at the start line at 09:30 – Ivan, Mark, Mervyn, Peter S & Ralph.

The grounds of the Everness Hotel are the usual meeting place for our biking trips but today, under leaden skies and heavy rain, the invitingly warm interior was the unanimous choice. There we shed wet outer clothing and ordered coffees and teas. It continued to rain so we had another round of coffees and discussed the options for the morning. By 11 o’clock, with no improvement in the weather expected for several hours, we had decided to abandon any thought of cycling other than to head straight home.

Oh well, next time?

Blog written by a fully signed-up and unashamed member of the Fair Weather Biking Group.

PS: There are no photos of this non-event because no one had a waterproof camera.

I was recovering from the excess of Fizz the night before, and viewed the prospect of riding my VTT alongside two E-Bikers (Paul and MikeM) and a racing road bike (Bill), with some apprehension, perhaps trepidation. In the event it was not so bad.

Nothing had been pre-planned so we elected for the usual bike trail to Gex for coffee. The first stop is usually the water trough at Grilly where we rested and chatted by the clear sparkling water. The bike trail passed pleasantly in the shade and we were soon at Gex.

It was a fine morning, sunny but not hot helped by a cooling soft breeze from the north. Our usual choice for coffee is the Hotel Bellevue in the centre of Gex, but it was still closed for renovation. It was at this point that Mike became involved with a very friendly fellow who was commenting on the e-bikes. Only a bit later did we find that he was a 7th Day Adventist trying for new recruits. We asked him if he knew where we could get coffee, not realising that this sect do not drink it. Indeed he could not provide us with assistance in our plight, albeit he could help in other ways more spiritual. We extricated ourselves and biked a little way up the hill where we could see chairs and table under sunshades next to a courtyard.

We had reached the Crêperie du Jeu de l’Oie at 109 Rue des Terraux, where we could sit outside comfortably in the shade. It’s next to the police station so we did not bother to lock up our bikes. Coffee for 4 supplied with cold water on the side – all for less than Eu10!

Plans were agreed for the rest of the parcour. No lunch but a Bonmont. Happily our bikes were still there and we set off towards Vesancy. I was in the lead, but that was the last I saw of my colleagues.

I stopped near Huttopia and called Mike. He had a bike problem, Paul was helping. Bill had gone the wrong way and down to Divonne. We agreed that they would descend and head home and I carried on to Bonmont.

Very pleasant ride up Bonmont and then back to Coppet via Borex and Arnex.

I was sorry that I had lost my flock, I’ll try and do better next time.

The others did get home OK (at least Paul and Mike confirmed they did) and Mike wrote this to me later that day :-

“Hi Peter, I’m sorry we dumped you in the middle of nowhere.  My bike had a flat tyre.  I was able to fill it up a bit with the small emergency pump.  But had to stop every 5 minutes to repeat.  Made it to Crassier where I was able to fill the tyre up completely in a bike shop.  So I had a cunning plan to ride to my bike shop in Nyon and leave it there for repair and service and go home by bus.  However they could not give me a rdv until late August.  So with still some air in the tyre I went back to Gingins as fast as possible using turbo power.  Just made it to tell the tale.  Cheers, Mike “

I logged 44km and 560m denivellation.

We had had some seriously heavy rains but today dawned bright and clear with a good forecast. We were lucky, bright sunny with some cloud and not too hot.

With a number of abstentions (and a late one from Mark2ts who had been collecting from the airport at 3am), we were seven gathered at Everness at 10am. Our esteemed BLeader (SL) was still unready to flex his new knee on his road bike.

Bill, Mervyn, Yvan, e-RichardF, PeterD, e-Paul and me PeterT.

My plan was to re-attempt the ride of 30 May, four weeks previously, when rain diverted us into Mike Muller’s café and taxi-hub, when he drove us to Gilly from Gingins for lunch. This time we would aim to take in hills up to Le Vaud and the fine run down to Gilly for a lunch at 1pm. There would be no need to take in Bonmont with legs as untested as ours’ so early in the season.

Passing Arnex without calling in on our BLeader, we rode steadily up through Borex and across Cheserex golf course and then also passed Mike M’s road in the fine sun. This time Paul was offering a coffee at the M bakery at Givrins – he had lived in this village many moons ago.

It was time to engage in the real meat of the day, the hill above Genolier past the Joy Clinique, and happily there was no big heat in the day as we pulled up the hill towards Le Muid and then to a rest on a welcome bench on a ridge overlooking the valley to Bassins. The winding swoop down into the valley of the Ruisseau de la Combe was as fine as the climb back out up the otherside to Bassins was penible. From there it is only 2km to the top out of the day at Le Vaud at 815m.

Here the ride becomes really pleasant with more long swoops down through to Burtigny and then over the Champs de Montagny to Le Molard with wonderful views out over the Lac, over 300m below. A final run down into Gilly is always a pleasure – when you know that a large beer will be waiting on the terrace.

The lunch itself was good too. Some choosing roastbeef and chips, others the slow cooked pork. It was not crowded and the service was good.

All too soon it was time to pay the piper and get back out on the road. Normally the route home is uneventful, not quite so this time.

Just before Dullier as we were saying goodbye to Paul who was heading to Nyon for his train back to Geneva, Mervyn pressed hard on his pedals and one came off the crank.

It was indeed commendable that PD was carrying his bike tool enabling Mervyn to be repaired in quick time by Yvan. Mental note – make sure more of us carry bike repair kits. I always carry a first aid kit, but not often kit for my velo.

Paul duly waved us goodbye, and the main team approached L’Asse, noting much Paleo construction. Here in Mervyn’s own words “I was following someone(?) through L’Asse and missed the right turn”. Richard told me that Mervyn had done this on a previous ride, so I was less than very concerned that perhaps his bike had fallen apart again. In the event Yvan and he got home on their own route, possibly through Nyon.

From my house this was a 61.3km ride and 648m denivellation.

As I lay on the lawn at home with Kobie, my legs began to cramp up. I managed to rehydrate without too much problem, I hope others did too, especially Bill with his supper at the Barillette restaurant.

Next ride 11 July; onwards upwards.

Thursday 4 April 24

With many biking team members proferring reasonable excuses only 3 of us turned out at the Everness on a fine April morning. Mark, Paul and myself. I was struck by the fact that Paul, having e-biked from Geneva, still ported 5 layers of clothing on his upper body, including two padded items.

Well I say fine morning, but it was a tad chilly as you can see from the buffs. However the forecast was for a warming trend. Given that there were only a few of us I decided that we should pay tribute to Paul and instead of heading NW, we should head SE towards Paul’s base. Well sort of. We would aim for lunch at Maison Blanche golf course, where Paul is a member.

It was a case then of the woods near Chavanne, crossing the Versoix River and up to Grilly, the train track trail to Gex and a coffee. It was a splendid spring morning, sunny and full of birdsong. The Bar Brasserie Bellevue at Gex is closed for renovation and it was not obvious that there was any coffee to be had so we asked locals. A very friendly fellow (training for the information bureau ?) spent some time helping us find the excellent cafe on the left up in the Rue des Terreaux which goes up to the Marie. I believe this is called Le Flush. It is certainly worth a future visit. Burger du Chef and Frites for Eu 15 looked good.

I introduced the subject of “dictums” and Paul has subsequently provided me with some useful input for my quest into the various rules of life. I would welcome more from members. The quest continues.

No croissantes were left so there was nothing for it but to head to Maison Blanche up the “bastard” (designated by M2ts) of a hill outside Gex, followed by a leisurely roll across and down to Maison Blanche.

We arrived at 11.40am, 20 minutes too early for lunch so there was time for a beer or two on the sunny terrace. This is the life. A fantastic view out over to Mt Blanc, warm sun, great beer and fine company. Adding to the company was David, a friend of Paul’s, who used to work at Motorola. His two chums Kevin and Stephen (who had recently had a new knee (sic)) came in from their half round and joined us for a convivial lunch inside. The Maison Blanche has a new chef, from Mauritius, and the menu du jour was excellent, BBQ chicken and frites.

We enjoyed some bon conversation/banter and coffees before it was time to leave to roll back down to our respective base camps (in my case reversing the train tracks and the V River crossing). There was one point where Mark took a slightly wrong turn in Gex and I sat waiting for him to struggle back up a hill with large trucks.

More of a lunch with a ride than a ride with lunch, but hey, we got out there.

I recorded 40km and 400m, so not such a doddle perhaps. A most convivial ride and lunch. Maison Blanche is certainly worth a lunch. The terrace and restaurant views are superb, food and beer good, friendly service and prices reasonable.

Skiers were skiing and others were in Rehab or travelling, others still had reasonable excuses. In the end 3 of us turned out at the Everness on a bright but cold Thursday morn at 10 am. Rudi, Yvan and me.

Earlier I had opened the bike shed for the first time this year to find that the mice had chewed through my old winter mitts. There was evidence of nests in all the open saddle bags..

Rudi had his e-bike (he drove to the Everness), Yvan his Ukrainian 3 gear (mended) special, and me on my ATB. Yvan had a head warmer below his helmet, so did I with a buff. Rudi had his ski helmet on to keep warm, but had forgotten about the need to keep his feet warm and his summer pumps and thin socks could not have been pleasant. It was COLD, even in the sun.

We set off on the usual route stopping as is our habit at the water tank in Grilly, then we set off up the train track.

The blossoms were coming out and the primroses wonderously in flower as we sped past, head down into the cold air. Taking the quick turn up and round before Gex, we set off up the road to Vesancy. My legs were beginning to ache on this first outing of the year, but in offset I hoped that the activity was helping my damaged knees.

Stopping just after Vesancy for a breather, we began to face the north wind and it grew colder as the sun disappeared below some cloud hugging the Jura. It was not long however before Bonmont arrived and we warmed up by over exerting our surprised legs up the eternal trail.

We descended in the sun and cold air to La Rippe where Rudi showed us the very pleasant looking house that he had lived in for 27 years (he left 20 years ago), up a quiet cul de sac. His purchasers were still there.

Onwards and upwards over the very pretty back roads before descending to the Lac de Divonne and a coffee at the Armenian Food Truck. Yvan elicited some good service as he conversed with the owner in Russian. Several punters arrived to collect food ordered by phone. We noted that chicken kiev was on the menu.

A fun but cold ride. Good to get this under our belts – for me the first of the year. After I got home I dozed in the sun in our garden room until a severe cramp spasm in my right thigh creased me up in pain. At least my knees felt better for their efforts.

I made it 40 km and 570m. A good start.

The forecast looked as if the rain was going to stop but as I got nearer to Divonne Lake it seemed to get worse. Our leader Peter D had offered a ride that would take in lunch in Coinsins, but it had rained all night and in the event only two Peters turned up at the start.

Ivan said he was coming but we found him telephonically, at the Everness. No matter as eventually we all met up above Gilly on the bike path.

Grinding our way up the steep hill to Mourex it was almost possible to ignore the rain. Ivan found it a little hard given that his bike currently only has two gears, and not a low gear at all, and walked the last steep section.

Down to the road before the up to Vesancy and now PeterD was missing. We hoped he was OK but it was only that rain and sweat had got in his eyes. With the lame excuse that we were now chilly and time was ticking by we chose to miss our sacred Bonmont hill and instead traverse straight across to Genolier. Heck, the sun sort of almost came out at Vesancy and the rain stopped. Too late of course as we were all damp inside.

We arrived at Coinsins and chose not to sit out on the terrace…Ivan stayed for a beer but then had to leave to get back to his parents who had just arrived from Ukraine. However both Peters enjoyed the carbonara and salad from the dish of the day menu.

There remained the simple ride back home in drier conditions. This time we did not have a split party as we both turned right just after the Promenthouse River bridge before Dullier and came back via Asse, the Signy Centre and Borex.

About 45 km and 450m but my watch kept stopping its recording in the wet conditions.

The forecast was good and indeed the sun was shining as 6 bikers set off from Everness shortly after 10am. Our BLeader being in the hills, and Mr Drew in Fleurie, I stepped in and put into practice a sketchy sort of ride to 888. This ride gives some strong deinvellation up the Barillette road (well the bottom part), and was chosen in particular to assist Mark and Mervyn in their fitness drive before their Himalayan jaunt next month. Also attending were Ivan with his two-speed Ukrainian machine and Richard Flett and Mike Muller with their e-bikes. I was tasked with keeping the team together, this time.

Setting off passing by the Centre d’Epuration added a bit of spice and we were soon up at the watering place in Grilly. There was some discussion about how to deal with bats in the house, not related to cricket, and the solution seemed to include a tennis racket. Turning right along the bike path gave us an easy ride to Charly’s Pub for an early coffee.

Time for some more serious biking, so we ambled up through la Rippe and Tranchepied to the foot of the Bonmont Hill. I told Ivan that the target was 888 but he somehow forgot and forging ahead in 2nd gear he simply disappeared. Struggling on up the awful gradient my i-watch was telling me that my heart was beating at 143bpm. At the same time Richard and Mike passed by chatting pleasantly and I heard something about the “power levels” each were using. They disappeared ahead too. E-biking certainly has a more sociable side to it (and I would think of getting one except that with role models of Mark and Mervyn five years ahead of me, I really can’t do that, …yet).

Arriving exhausted at last at 888 after those interminable bends in the road I was a bit taken aback to find nobody there. A call to Mike found that he and Richard were waiting higher up the B road, not having seen any sign saying 888, nor finding Ivan. A call to Ivan found him hauling up the road behind us, after waiting 10 minutes at the Bonmont top. I was relieved when the whole team assembled at 888, not only because I had been tasked to not lose anyone, but also because it was now pretty much all downhill.

We wended our way down, passing the Bonmont top, and gently down through Tranchepied, Borex and past God’s Crossing to Founex tennis Club. The weather held fair and the ride had been enjoyable, after 888. (It rained heavily later in the day).

Mervyn skipped lunch and Ivan stayed for a pint only. Four of us enjoyed variously moules-frites, porc, and salads, while enjoying the wide vistas from the terrace in the weak sun. We drank to all absent friends. The ride home for me was 3 minutes.. 🙂

Apologies were received from Stephen, PeterD, Paul and Rudi.

Mark clocked 43km and 600m ascent. I hope that this has helped him and Mervyn a little bit in their fitness programme.

Thanks to all for another nice ride.