Category: Biking

“I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike……”

Six die-hard cyclists subscribed to the latest outing with a promise of a long slow uphill ride, avoiding the usual Bonmont climb, but substituting the Genolier incline past the clinic up to the heights of Le Vaud. A ca. 55Km round trip from the Everness Hotel with a high elevation of 820m was promised with the lure of lunch at the Auberge Communale in Gilly, PeterD’s favourite hostellerie.  In the event, Bill had to back out due to mechanical failure of his motorised transport on the Italian Autostrada near Verona on the way back from Croatia. PeterD had indicated a prior engagement with the dentist even though we started at 09.30 and not at the dental time of 14.30 (tooth hurty!….for the uninitiated, this is a Taylorism).

So it was Stephen, PeterT, Mark2Ts, Mervyn and e-Paul who accepted the challenge. There seems an increasing desire of the group to rate absentees on the validity of their excuse on a scale of 1-acceptable to 10-fully understandable. e.g. open heart surgery – 10, needing to collect dog from kennel the day before -1. More of this to follow in future blogs, I’m sure.

The weather was set fair and we meandered along the Swiss route 50 cycle track, having picked this up at God’s crossroads (another Taylorism). This took us up familiar trails through Arnex, Borex, Signy, Grens, Gingins and onto Givrins where we decided to postpone our coffee until past the worst of the climb. Such is the keenness of the group that everyone wants to perform at their peak. Indeed,  Peter had had a sleepless night worrying about the Genolier Clinic hill and wanted to get this under his belt before enjoying any stop.

As the gradient increased, the lack of cloud cover made it hard and perspiring work. E-Paul drifted effortlessly from the back to the front, stopping on occasions to marvel at why the peloton didn’t also have e-bikes. We eventually stopped for coffee (or other refreshment) at Le Muids, kindly sponsored by Mark.  He reflected on how much easier it would have been had he moved to Le Muids, as was under consideration a few years back. However, no time for long contemplations as bleader (bike leader) Stephen was aware that lunch was booked and there was still road to go in order to get there on time. A short stop at Bassins, with heads cooled in the local fountain before the less strenuous slope up to Le Vaud, our high point of the day. We recovered our breath before enjoying the long downhill through Burtigny into Gilly, helping us appreciate each of those 620m climbed.

We arrived at the Auberge Communale exactly at the booked hour. Beers were rapidly ordered and 4 of the 5 seated at the table ordered the menu du jour of salad, cheeseburger with frites, followed by an usual but palatable banana soup. Not for the first time. Paul challenged the kitchen to produce “super croquant” frites. The challenge was accepted and the chips on his plate did seem to arrive with a slightly darker colour but judgement was reserved on as to whether they actually fulfilled the brief. In any case, the meal was well up to standard. As usual, conversation drifted widely from politics to opera to TV shows with a new category of notable quotes from famous people such as Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde. Typically, more beer was drunk and no conclusions were reached (are the two related?). Absent friends were toasted.

Eventually, we had to accept the inevitable and leave the restaurant. Our legs heavy on the pedals due to absent blood which was currently engaged on digestive duties. Stephen’s plan was to follow the Swiss cycle route 488 from Gilly to Vich, avoiding the main road. Peter volunteered the use of his stylish, if somewhat loose, handlebar mounted smart phone to navigate the way. Unfortunately, the electronic guidance diverged with the road signage, which itself was somewhat sporadic. So we did end up for a while on the very road we tried to avoid. Rerouting was decided at Vich and we headed via Coinsins to L’Asse. At this point, e-Paul realised that his uphill antics had damaged the longevity of his battery support and he opted for a return to Le Grand-Saconnex on the train from Nyon. Schadenfreude for some reason comes to mind. The rest of us continued to battle the headwind on raw muscle power, following the farm tracks through Signy to Arnex and somehow missing the intended crossing of Landi’s car park.  At Arnex more beers were offered chez Stephen but declined as other, more important, tasks had been planned by some for the rest of the day.

A hot day was forecast so Leader Stephen (bike leader or Bleader as he is sometimes called under uphills gasps) arranged for us all to meet earlier than usual at the Everness Hotel (autocorrects as Evenness) at 9 am. Bill in particular was a little sleepy as on arrival he had forgotten that his shoes were clipped into his pedals with the usual result, but not too serious. In all six of us, our Leader, Mark 2ts, Clipped-in Bill from Boulder, E-Paul, Mervyn and PeterT. We had brought along our excuses which ranged from :-

• recovering from Covid
• not done any exercise in weeks
• too much wine last night
• I’m only here for the beer

but our Leader brushed them all aside and after an encouraging and enthusiastic team pep talk and we set off up to Gex via the bike trail. On the way we stopped for a breath at the water tanks in Grilly and met a vivacious lady chilling her dog in the wash tub. She gave us a short history of the watch industry in Geneva (where she was a guide) and other cultural insights, before mentioning that she had heard of GINclub. It seemed our reputation is intact.

All too soon we were off into the shade of the old train track and at Gex via a slick underpass were soon heading up the (supposedly) gentle rise to Vesancy. It was too early for Castle Coffee and without a halt we sped on down and across toward the dreaded Bonmont. Our Leader confirmed that were were to ascend illegally up the down road, and in the event we were consecutively chastised and almost run over by irate descenders by bike and car.

It was getting hotter by the time we arrived at La Givrine (renamed from Givrins by our Leader) for coffee at the excellent bakery. Thanks Paul for your sponsorship. There was much discussion of world affairs, corruption, war, recession, Covid, and inflation but the main thing on our minds (mine at least) seemed to be beer and lunch.

I confirmed our reservation at the Founex Tennis Club with Ismael who is getting to know us, and with time passing we needed to speed off via Genolier, Dullier, Prangins, Nyon Riviera (where the majestic Vevey paddle ship was gliding into the jetty). Up past the Nyon tennis club and across to Celigny and CpC, before our Leader left us five (he to become an airport taxi) to wheel across to our lunch, and large cold beers. The first swig is the most memorable…

We missed our leader and drank his health and that of all other absent bikers. E-Paul girded himself for his 17km ride home while the rest of us pottered home for a shower and a siesta. Another memorable ride, 51km, 600m denivellation. Conditions – hot and sunny. (33C after lunch). And although I got cramp later, my dodgy knees felt better afterwards.. 🙂

21 April 22

The GIN Bikers team assembled for a ride to the GIN lunch organised by Gerry at the Accord Parfait above Divonne.

Well, two of us assembled at the Everness and set off in perfect weather for Crans, Nyon lakeside, Prangins, Trelex, Givrins (coffee stop), Bonmont and Divonne.

Super ride with warm sun for a coffee at our favourite bakery (we could not justify croissants in view of the upcoming feast).

We arrived bang-on midday hungry for the fine lunch.

About 45 km and 555m deniv (from my house).

Attending : Mark 2ts, PeterT

Apologies – many and varied – were received.

The bike team assembled to have a tilt at the run up to the GIN Lunch at Florimont at 960m on the road up to Col de la Faucille.

Sadly Mark2ts called off with respiratory issues but he made the lunch. SO four of us, Peter D (leader for the outing), Stephen, Mervyn and myself, set off in bright blue sky from the Everness at 9.30am. Somehow the early start was chosen because of expected slowness. On reaching Gex up the rail-trail before 10.15 am we realised that we needed to stop for a welcome coffee.

Suitably refreshed (merci PeterD) we set off in higher gear and lesser clothing up the hill through Gex and then directly up. It was a case of just pressing on at one’s own speed. We found a route that avoided all but 300 metres of the main road and emerged all of a sudden at the Florimont at 11.30am, with 30 minutes to bask in the sunshine awaiting the main crew for lunch.

After a very fine lunch (see separate Blog), the bike team set off for the easy part. A run back to Evenness in under 45 minutes, down our up trails, through Gex, the rail-trail, and Chavannes woods.

A really great start to the bike season. Thanks to Peter D for suggesting it and leading us. I recorded 610m deniv, there and back from my house. And about 37 km.

The hard core duo of PeterT and Stephen turned out on a cold, grey November day for the last organised outing of the season. Anticipation of a third participant was thwarted when Mark decided at 01h13 of the day to recover from the late night and catch up on delayed activities. As the duo prepared for the cold, we realised that this was not a bad shout. PeterT was also close to cancelling at the last minute when contact lens malfunction caused more than casual concern.

However, having met at the Chavannes hotel meeting point, we were eager to get moving and generate some blood flow. We agreed on a gentle, non-competitive ride along familiar tracks, taking us via Grilly, the old train track to Divonnes and then onto Crassier, before cycling up through Borex and Tranchepied to the inevitable climb above Bonmont. We even separated temporarily, taking slightly differing routes to the usual high point; Stephen opting for the shorter, steeper ride and Peter for the longer but, on average, gentler slope.

Bonmont man

Bonmont men

At the rest point, we realised that cold was rapidly seeping through the layers and so we hastened via Gingins to Givrins and a welcome coffee and snack inside at the boulangerie. Earlier thoughts to lengthen the challenge were rapidly revised and we decided upon a direct route home. This took us via Duillier and L’Asse, across the busy main feed road to the Nyon motorway, through Petit Eysins  before a last Landi car park crossing for this year.

We parted company outside Stephen’s apartment with the warm glow of satisfaction that we had gone where other GIN bikers had declined and happy that we could soon bask in that feeling in the comfort of our own homes…..for Stephen, some 7 kms earlier that for Peter.

Statistics: Saddle time 2h06m; Distance 42.72 (Chavannes to Chavannes); Average Speed 20.4kmh; Elevation difference 500m.

On a cold, damp, grey autumnal day, many of the usual crowd had decided that an away break after the school vacations was a better way of spending the week. Hence, it was only the stay-at-home duo of Stephen and PeterT who met at the Chavannes Hotel, wrapped up in warm cycling gear and ready to face the elements (and any hills put in the way).

A gentle 3 hills “lite” ride was agreed upon, taking a route across into France at Grilly, along the disued railway track to Gex, up the back road to Vesancy (unfortunately, the Chateau was not open for a rest and a coffee) across to La Rippe before the required attack on the Bonmont hill. Half way up the hill, just as legs unused to such exercise were flagging, Peter spotted a dog walker with 4 Afghan dogs ahead and decided that he should introduce himself and Kobie (remotely by photo, in the latter’s case). The lady in question was somewhat aggressive initially, complaining about dog walkers who let their dogs off the lead and disturbed her troupe. Having reassured her that he would immediately attach Kobie to the lead in the event that they encountered each other, she took on a friendlier tone and became very chatty. At least 10 minutes later and with legs well recovered, the final ride to the top seemed unusually easy.

The wind-chilling descent via Gingins and Signy to Arnex was bracing but rapid and we parted company outside the floral balcony of Stephen’s apartment. We had earlier agreed to forgo the usual lunch in the interests of health and time.

Statistics: ca. 38km Chavannes Hotel to Chavannes Hotel, 1h56 saddle time, 19.9kmh average speed, 499 elevation, 0 beers.

Three men on their bummels set off (again) on a sunny and breezy but not too cool day from Divonne. It was kind for the morning that the wind was from the south as we headed up north towards the hills, half-forgetting that the wind would be in our faces on the return from Gilly. Avoiding the purgatory of Bonmont we instead opted for a ride across to Givrins and our favourite bakery coffee stop. Sadly the oven was being changed and it was closed, but the local cafe was open 50 mtrs away, and it had seating on sunny terrace beating the bakery. Sadly for the same reason there were no croissants (thanks for the coffee Mark).

Having avoided purgatory we faced the hell of the Genolier hill below the Clinique, but because of the tailwind indeed we were blessed with an easier ride. That was needed because we were bound for Bassins and Le Vaud. Leaving my water bottle behind at the Le Vaud water fountain we rolled down to the restaurant at Gilly where they know Peter Drew’s middle name.

The plat de jour was deer and being half vegetarian I managed to be game for it. Good service, beers and company. Warm inside table. We toasted absent bikers.

The ride home was the come-uppence we deserved – into the keen wind and the wind came straight though my helmet onto a bald surface. The next day I had a fine cold that I had been struggling domestically to avoid.

Attending : Peter Drew, Mark Watts, Peter Taylor.

I (PT) logged 58.61 km and 630m deniv. But statistics are windless…

With Stephen playing up in the hills this promised an easier day, and the e-bikers were sadly absent too, only three men were on the bummel on a windy but sunny and cool-ish day setting out from Everness. Peter D, Mark 2ts and Peter T.

We lurched off into the wind for ravitaillement at the plage at Prangins, now sheltered from the Bise and with a number of ladies taking the plunge for us to admire while dipping croissants into our coffees.

All to soon we were forced to face the fact that this was not a GINclub sunbathers event, so we set off up past Prangins Airfield, through Trelex, and Gingins to Bonmont (where else if Peter T is leading?), with the wind now in our sails.

After almost losing the peloton on the descent (they lost me!) we arrived in Divonne and settled upon La Truite for lunch. It was busy so not a fast service but the beer was good and so was the food. Three fine courses for Eu 19.50 (our coffees replaced the dessert course). Recommendable.

A very pleasant short day out, but some of us had errands to run. I clocked 45 km and 490 m deniv (from Coppet).

A glorious day beckonned, once the early morning mist had lifted. PeterT, PeterD and Stephen met at the Chavannes hotel ready to head for the busy streets of the city before trialling a new route out to Satigny and lunch at the Auberge Communale. The plan was to follow the Swiss cycle route 50 from Chavannes (or where it passed close by), join briefly with the cycle route 1, before heading along the Rue de Lausanne to Cornavin station. At this point we would pick up the signs for the meandering cycle route 102 out to Satigny. Stephen was confident that signs would be more than adequate to indicate the appropriate tracks. En route, we met with e-Paul near the Vireloup CH/F border; he having an unusually light cycling day without the usual pedal out and back to the Chavannes hotel meeting point.

The stop/start of the city traffic increased with the increasing number of traffic lights as we neared Cornavin. However, we realised that our progress was better than that of the other traffic as we cycled past Lambourginis and Porsches in our cycle lane. Only one slight detour during the way into Geneva had to be made, due to inadequate Route 50 signalling, as we followed the small roads through Chambésy. However, the route on the 102 from Cornavin was less well indicated in several places and we had to make some seemingly risky manoeuvres in order to rectify over-enthusisatic directional optimism. Local cyclists helped show us the way as they darted in an out of traffic and past red lights into hidden passageways. PeterD was the back up navigator, frequently referring to the Switzerland  Mobility App, when we truly lost the signs. The 102 route was indeed an eye-opener for all of us, taking us to localities that we did not know existed in Geneva. Once we started getting away from the city centre the vistas openned up and the vines of the Geneva wine area appeared over the thinning suburban roof tops.

We arrived at the Satigny auberge ahead of schedule, which was a benefit as the restaurant terrace soon filled  other hungry clients. An early disappointment at lack of a menu du jour was replaced by very friendly service and a good choice of burgers, pizzas, salads and carpaccios. Paul encouraged (successfully) to have his frites “bien croquant”. This led into a discussion about Tom Kerridge’s famous triple cooked chips and from there a small leap to Ganesha…..and, importantly, the imminent publication of Paul’s new book….and other diverse topics (which somehow escape this blogger after a generous offering of limoncello by the waitress).

Contentment is well-fried chips.

“How the hell did we miss that turning?” “We were following your bright top.”

Interesting how food (or alcohol?) energises some people and for others it is a prelude to rest. PeterD pedalling rate increased 50% on leaving the restaurant whilst Stephen was struggling to move up the gears. Paul opted out of further competition (not that an e-biker needs to) and from Meyrin headed the short route home. The remaining 3 cut through Ferney before re-entering Switzerland and followed tracks through field and wood before re-emerging at the Chavannes hotel starting point.

A good lunch, who care’s how we get home? One day PeterT will remember to reset his route tracker after lunch…..

The full route: GIN bikers route Sept 23rd

Statistics: Distance ca. 54km (Chavannes-Chavannes); 2h35m saddle time, Average speed 21.2kmh; 370m elevation; Average fluids: 1.75 beers,  1 limoncello, water? (not sufficient)