John Duncan and Richard Burton

After a YFC board meetingon Tuesday night, John and I went for a great ride in the hills of Ouest Lemanique (the Western part of Lake Geneva), he on my Cannondale Bad Boy and me on my new favorite Rodriguez Rainier. We headed out on the Route de Vignoble toward Lausanne. But after a few kms, we turned west to Vich and South toward Geneva (we wanted to come back with the wind).

We passed through Trelex, Cheserex, passed by the Golf course of Bonmont, through La Rippe and onto toward Divonne on the high cycle path at the foot of the Jura.

Then is was back toward Nyon passing through Chavannes de Bogis, Bogis-Bossey, Celigny. It was there I mentioned to John that is was there where Richard Burton was buried. He wanted to see the grave so down we went to the cemetery. My 700x25C tires had no problem on the gravel path.

Pictures were taken in front of Burton's grave. And an added piece of memorabilia, we saw Alistair MacClean's grave.

Distance: 40kms
Time: 1h47
Average Speed: 22.3kph
Altitude gain: 444m
Temp: 20 C
Overcase/partly cloudy/drizzly

Col de Marchairuz 1449 Meters

So, after the col defeated me last fall, I decided that today would be the day to try again. The Col de Marchairuz in one of the higher passes in the Jura. It is closed all winter. From Nyon it is a 1020 meter (4700 feet) climb.

This time the bike and the rider where up the challenge. My trusty Kestrel with it's new triple front crank would have made it if I'd had legs last fall...but alas I had no legs.

Today was different. My Rodriguez cross country bike is geared equally as low. I felt strong all the way to the top. I only stopped in St. George long enough to fill my water bottle at the local fountain.

The ride back and down was through the beautiful Jura Natural reserve.

Total Distance: 58 kms
Total Time: 3h08
Total Altitude gain: 1130 meters
Mostly Cloudy, with light drizzle part of the way.

Nyon-Signale de Bougy and Back

Out the Route de Vignoble. The climb up to Signale de Bougy via Bursin, Gilly, Tartegnin, Bugaux.

Distance: 30 km
Time: 1h20
Temp: 20

Nyon-Fechy and Back

Out the Route de Vignoble to Fechy and back

Distance: 31km
Time: 1:17

Temperature: 20 C

St. Cergue-The Vich and Begnins Way

Off with Fredrik Sunesson to St. Cergue. This time through Vich and Begnins.

Beautiful Day
Distance: 36.00
Atitude Gain: 800 meters
Time: 1:58:50
Wind: 22-40 kph
Sunny to Partly Cloudy

Interlaken

During an au pair trip, I stretched my legs for about an hour on an mountain bike. Only 13 kms but it was a change.

Total Distance: 13 km
Total Time Riding: 1h15

Nyon, Bonmont, Crassier, Divonne, Versonnex, Genthod

Needing to pick a van for a weekend retreat, I decided to ride instead of drive. So off I went up to Trelex and across the base of the Jura to Versonnex in France. Then down to Collex Bossey and Genthod.

Distance: 34 km
Time: 1 h 32 min
Altitude gain: 426 m
Temp: 22
Skies: Cloudy, little wind

Total Training distance: 1806 kms / 2891 miles
Total on the Rainier: 840 miles

Nyon, Aubonne, Lavigny, Etoy, Rolle, Nyon

A new route for me. I went from Nyon to Aubonne on the Route du Vignoble to dodge the rain (it was in the southeast). But from Aubonne I continued to Lavigny, and then to Villars sous Yens. Then is was down to Etoy and back on the Route du Lac.

Distance: 47.3 km

Time: 1h 57 min

Total Altitude gain: 500 m

Temp: 22

Sky: Partly cloudy and rainy

Villeneuve-Yvoire

The second day of the bike trip, we went from Villeneuve to Yvoir.  It was a short 58 kilometers.  The route was only slightly rolling.

Distance: 58 km

Temp: 23-24 C

Sky:  Started clear, went to cloudy with rain and then partly cloudy

Nyon-Villeneuve

Around Lake Geneva, almost.  Nyon to Yvoire is 138 Kms out of 180.  This was a YFC-Interyouth trip meant to raise funds for a local charity by the students of the international schools.  One more in my long series of bike trips with young people. 

Nyon to Villeneuve on the Suisse Bike route one, gave us 

Total Distance : 87.5

Time: 4h32 minutes

Sky: Partly cloudy

Temp: 23 celsius

An Old Friend

Today I rode an old friend. For 20 years, when I wanted a good workout close to home, it was up to St. Cergue via Arzier from Nyon. It's 16 kms climb nearly 700 meters (2300 ft). It is a nearly continual climb from 421m to 1041m. A few downhill stretches bring the climb to 681 m.

There are some steep bits that early in the season I don't make. But today, no problem.

Then the fun ride down the 14 kms back home.

Total Distance: 31.5 kms
Total climb: 681 m
Total time: 1h 40 min.
Temp: 21 C
Clothes: Assos shorts, Blue Jersey

Wind: N 15 kph
Sky: Sunny/partly cloudy

Bise Workout

First time on the bike in ten days (had a work trip to the States).  With a strong "bises" (pronounced "bees", the north wind) I got a good workout (20 mph gusting to 30) in my face.  

I went through Prangins and caught "Red Route 1" to Rolle and then came back on the Route du Lac. 

In spite of the wind, the temp. was warm, so for  the first time since last September I wore cycling shorts and a short sleeved jersey. I've worn long sleeves all fall and winter. 

Distance: 27 km

Time: 1h11 minutes

Temperature: 19

Altitude gain: 130