Day 80 - Steep Climb to Chatel

Today being a beautiful sunny day,  I dared go up a very steep road up to the small hamlet of Chatel.  My ride started at home in Nyon.  I went north (because of the north wind) out onto the Route de Vignoble.  Riding  by Vich, Luins, Vinzel and Bursins took me to the climb up to Gilly and Tartegnin.  From there I passed through Bugnaux and then onto the steep moutain road up to Chatel.

There is one switchback before reaching the first Jura plateau.   From their I headed toward Begnins by taking a forest service road.  The road was paved all the way.  The hightest point was on this road going through the forest. 

From there is was down to Begnins , then on to La Cezille, Genolier, Duillier and Nyon.

Total Distance: 39 kms

Total Altitude gained: 719 meters

Total time: 2h 4 minutes

Temperature: 14 degrees C

Wind: From the north at 15 kph

Sunny to partly cloudy

Day 84 - Climb to Bonmont

Another cloudy, windy day with light snow flurries.  But that's no reason not to ride.  So off to the south (south wind) I went.  

From in front of Novartis I started to ride up to Duillier but then cut through the Changins agriculture research station.  After arriving in Asse and I headed toward Gingins.  Once in Gingins I went up the road toward La Barillette.  Intending to cut down toward Geneva from the Barillette road I climbed until the snow stopped me.  There was 10 inches of unplowed snow on the road.  So back down to Cheserex, then to Tranche Pied and La Rippe.  From La Rippe the nice descent to Borex and on to Bogis Bossey.  On to Chavannes de Bogis, Commugny, Tannay Mies, Versoix.  

Then the Route du Lac to Nyon.

Distance: 42

Vertical gain: 469 meters

Time:  2h 5 minutes

Average speed: 19.6 kph

Temperature: 4-5 degrees C

Wind: 20 kph from the South

Overcast with snow flurries (more over the Jura)

Day 86 - Nyon - Denens and Back

Even though it was cloudy, the sun was just peaking through enough for a ride at 4:00 p.m.  So out onto the Route de Vignoble I went.  Wind was changeable as I started on a west wind, so going north was fine, but it veered to the southwest.  

Then began some intermitant drizzle, but my Rodriguez Rainier was built for all conditions with it's Phil Wood hubs and bottle bracket and fenders, so on I went.  I arrive in Aubonne, and went on to Denens.  After  nice cup of tea and an almond cookie at the Rizzos I returned to Nyon.

Now the drizzle stopped and the clouds parted, leaving me with a few minutes of bright sun.  The sun slowly dipped behind the Jura mountains.   Fortunately I brought my flashing rear light and all the cars passing gave me wide berth since they saw not only my bright yellow wind breaker, but by flashing/strobe rear light.

Distance: 52 Kms

Total height gained:  555 meters

Total time: 2h 8 minutes

Temp: 3-5 degress Celsius

Wind: 3-10 kph

Weather: partly cloudly, drizzle, sun

Day 90 - Office and Back

Off to the office. Bise at my back.

Home for a late lunch. Bise in my face.

Total Distance: 20 kms
Total Time: 50 minutes
Temperature: 4 degrees Celsius
Wind: 25 kph from the North
Altitude gain: 100 meters
Partly cloudy

Day 91 - Bise in my Face: Nyon- Aubonne and Back

With a strong "bise" (pronounced beez) wind in my face, I sent out again for Aubonne. The Route de Vignoble was dry and in good condition. And 40 kms later I got back to Nyon, no worse for the wear.

Total Time: 1h30 minutes
Distance: 41.5 km
Altitude gain: 365 meters
Temperature: 12 degress Celsius
Partly Cloudy

Day 94- The Rodriguez is in Switzerland: Nyon Aubonne and back

After my trip to the States, I packed up my Rodriquez in it's suitcase sized airline case and brought it to Switzerland. It went back together without a hitch including the rear rack and trunk bag. So after filling the tires, off I went on the Route de Vignoble to Aubonne.

Once in Aubonne I went down to he Route du Lac and back toward Nyon. Once past Gland, I turned right at the small regional airport and climbed up to Duillier. I went through Duillier and then the back way through the Changins agricultural station.

Distance: 41.90 kms
Altutude gained: 349 Meters (1,150 ft)
Time: 1h 46"
Tempurature 16 degress Celsius
Wind: NE 14 kph
Sunny but party cloudy

Day 101- South First is Really Rough

I set off south on Philo Road and continued past Windsor onto South Philo Road (CR 1450 E.) Turned right onto E. Curtis Road (CR 1300N) and then right onto south Race Street (CR 1350E). At CR 900 N I turned west and turned south onto CR1200E (South First).

South First is a very rough road and it shook my wrists and shoulders to death. I hope it was good to hardening me up. I doubt I'll go that way a again.

At CR300N I turned east and rode to CR1500E. Then I turned north, jogged left and right at Old Church Road (CR1200N) onto S. Philo and went home.

Time: 1h50"
Distance:  25 Miles
Temperature 40 degrees F
Wind: 10 Mph W

March 1-Dad's Last Day

Cycling has always been a way for me to help manage stress and emotions.  So it was natural on the day when I needed some moments alone that I would go out and spend 1h 50 min on my bike.

This morning, my father died after a nearly one year of battle with pancreatic cancer. Thankfully he never had pain associated with the cancer. He did have restlessness and discomfort toward the end.

But Dad showed us example of faith because to the end, he was courageous and resolute in his belief that, "I know where I'm going and I know who's going with me."  This is the joy of the message of Christ, that "whoever believes in me, even though he die, yet will he live." The knowledge that though he "is absent from body"... he is "a home with the Lord" brings great peace and comfort.

So, with this knowledge I had the peace, to go out. I wanted to both collect my thoughts and profit from the warm, dry day.

So I headed out south on Philo Road and went to 200N. Back to Windsor and 1400N, with a half mile jog east, gave me 25 miles.

Total distance: 25 miles
Temperature: 45 degrees
Slightly overcast
Light southeast wind.