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.
A pleasant refuelling Merci to Peter D for the c&c’s.A tough bike ride needs an easy start – here the peloton tucks in
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.
At the Bonmont top – all downhill from here
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.
Colin Another tough ride
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…..
Peter Drew organised a bike route on this fine day, seemingly at the near end of the Indian Summer. Four bikers turned out at the Divonne Lake, sorry five. Mark 2RRs had thought the start was at 10 am and not 9.30am.
Mervyn, E-Thatcher and two Peters spent the waiting time usefully discussing cleaning products and vacuuming machines.
Once Mark had finally arrived we set off on this excellent route in a clockwise direction.
The initial phase from Divonne to Gex was spent on the very pleasant bike path built over the old railway tracks. Up and right through Vesancy our leader declared we had time for a statutory Bonmont so we duly trundled up the down road.
Having dispensed with the elevation element what followed was a gentle ride down and across to Givrins and then Genolier. The Trois Tileulles has an excellent terrace spoilt marginally by the traffic noise at the crossroads. The gourmet plat du jour at chf 25, included stuffed mushrooms, tender beef filet with noodles and green beans, and some form of mango crème anglaise. All washed down with excellent beer and coffee. On nice white linen (nb good cleaning product used). Indeed a high point of our bike dining this year.
Our just desserts Sadly Maarrk moved as I took this pano, as did Meervyyn.
The subjects of our intercourse moved through faith and religion, or our sad lack of it, weddings, quantum field theory (Mark is rereading pages 1 to 3), absent friends, travel, vaccines, E-Bikes, dogs and cleaning products (part 2). (I may have missed key sections).
It was all too soon time to depart and we rolled back through Trelex, Grens, and Divonne. A great ride with fine weather and company. Missing a few of our regulars and hoping they will be back with us soon. I clocked 50 km and 536m from my home, but Peter D says it was 42.5km and 585m (from Divonne).
A group of five regular bikers met at the Chavannes Hotel at 10h. Stephen, PeterT, Mark2Ts, e-Paul and e-Thatcher, with apologies from PeterD and Mervyn. Stephen’s promise of a gentle ride along the Jura was met with some scepticism, especially when he said there would be a warm up loop before the Bonmont ascent. However, he regained some credibility when a coffee stop was allowed at the new bakery between the new cycle shop and cycle museum in Crassier after an hour’s circuit through Grilly (F) and along the old railway track back to Switzerland. The impact was that the warm-up benefits were lost and the pedal up to Bonmont and the hill itself were more of a challenge than originally planned. The e-bikers kept the Taylor/Long competiton fair, not allowing slip streaming advantage. 240 Bonmonts in the previous year paid dividends and PeterT broke the morale of the challenger with a well-timed push on the final uphill slope.
The victor, with e-bike pace-setter and canine inspiration
From there it was downhill all the way to Givrin (except for that one short sharp hill). With lunch booked for 12.30h there was some concern that the leader might opt for a pre-prandial Genolier hill, up past the clinic. Some of the non e-bikers seemed to be slowing the pace in the hope of avoiding such a fate. They were successful and we cruised down from Genolier centre to the Auberge at Duillier for a very pleasant, leisurely lunch on the terrace, overlooking the vines, the lake and the Alps. Service was slow but the conversation was lively and when the food arrived it was worth waiting for. We uncovered the meaning of “gaslighting” (the act of manipulating a person by forcing them to question their thoughts) and then found many examples of potential use. This included the use of the description “gentle” for rides.
Main course is taking a while….lucky we had a starter.
…..we didn’t have a starter.
It was a direct ride back after lunch (except for Paul, who once again took his favourite Route 50 into Geneva) taking in the Landi carpark route and some slightly rougher tracks (to help Mark2Ts think about trading in his road bike). We split up at the God’s crossroads and made our separate ways home. We were on schedule (just) for Thatcher not to be late for his 15h swimming lesson with his grandchildren.
Statistics: Weather sunny, slight breeze. From Chavannes Hotel to God’s Crossroads 47km. ca. 2h30m saddle time, 552 elevation difference, 20.4km/hour average speed. Average: 1.6 beers/person and 2.1 coffees/person.
A quick note to record that Peter Drew and Peter Taylor biked the three hills clockwise in good weather and before the heat on Thursday 12 August, followed by a fine beer overlooking the lake.
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.
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.
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.Missing the technique of Peter T
A great ride, about 40km. But missing the 2 sprinters.
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.
Thank god that’s over !Necessary beers to rehydrate
In the summer time, when the weather is fine, You can reach right up and touch the sky, You’ve got cycling, you’ve got cycling on your mind.
Was it good fortune or the stated good connections of our leader, Peter D., that the sun was shining brightly for a day in the middle of a wet week as we met on May 20th in front of the Everness Hotel in Chavannes de Bogis? Whatever the reason, there was a hum of expectation for the promised relaxed, flat ride towards the Geneva vineyards and a lunch on a warm terrace from the Magnificent Seven of Mark, Mervyn, E-Paul, E-Philip, Peter T., Peter D. and Stephen. E-Paul did his usual warm up ride from Grand Saconnex and arrived looking unexpectedly puffed……perhaps regretting that he could have had an extra 30 minutes in bed and have met us on route.
Fresh as daisies and raring to go…….
We set off through the wooded glades of Versoix with the smell of damp forest and happy banter. Care had to be taken to avoid the copious offerings of many a horse who had passed the same way. We rode through the pleasant countryside around Colley Bossey with the Jura on one side and the Alps on the other before passing into France to cut through the Fernex peninsula before re-emerging into Switzerland at Meyrin. Comments were made about the difference in French drivers at multi-traffic light junctions….we blamed them, they blamed us for unexpected behaviour. Fernex itself was undergoing a facelift which added to a bumpy, devious ride over dug up streets. Once emerged through the industrial estate of Meyrin, we headed towards the delightful wine villages of Choully, Satigny and Pessy with only gentle uphill inclines. Signs offering inviting wine tastings were somehow passed. As we progressed towards our lunchtime destination in La Plaine a difficult decision faced our leader: right uphill, left uphill or straight ahead on an unknown flat track. With much encouragement, the middle path was chosen with a cursory check on the map. 200 metres further on, the track took a sharp right turn and a steep climb beckoned. Well charged e-bikers, charged ahead, in charge of the hills before discharging onto a bench at the top to wait for the well dispersed pedal-power only peloton. Regrouping we gratefully enjoyed the downhill ride to La Plaine.
COVID rules meant that we were seated at 2 tables for lunch. This was indeed a sunny terrace (although mostly protected by large shades) and a welcome change from our last cold lunch. Whilst the one Coke (with “beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup de glace”……e-Paul needed cooling) and 2 beer table discussed erudite subjects such as advocacy psychology and the derivation of Pi, the 8 beer table ended up debating the need to keep purchase receipts in order to check monthly financial statements (3 out of 4 in favour…..one accountant didn’t see the need!). The lunch lived up to the promises of Peter D. as evidenced by a full clientele.
If you take a regular polygon of infinite sides it converges to a circular profile….
Another for the road? Peter says there’s only one more hill.
Checking expenditure….no need, I’m an accountant.
“Only one more hill” before we had a flat run for home. What a hill! Legs heavy after a full lunch, we battled up through Cartigny and Aire-la-Ville before descending to Penney and an unpromised second uphill to Satigny. The Magnificent Seven became restless. Paul headed for home, not wanting another long detour to Chavannes. Philip decided to lead a scenic route away from the main road but Mark and Mervyn decided to pursue their own route. Similarly, Stephen sped on, on his own, losing the peloton once back in Switzerland. Stopping for a tyre check on Philip’s bike (just a repump needed…no puncture) allowed our leader to “herd the cats” and regroup for the final push back to our starting point.
Another great day out enjoyed by all and further proof that e-bikes will be with us all shortly.
Ride statistics: 61kms, 3h31m saddle time, 18.6km/h average speed, denivelation 787m (Mark’s optimistic value). Conditions: sunny, pleasantly warm, slightly damp under tyre.
