A Project to Cycle Around the Léman

Cycling around the Léman is a challenge that I could try with a group on Sunday. It would begin and end in Geneva. My maximum range so far is 180 kilometres, and a fast ride, for me, is twenty five kilometres per hour. The group set a goal of 27 kilometres per hour.

Recently I have cycled with people at up to thirty kilometres per hour. That was on shorter rides. I worry that cycling at such a speed will be unsustainable for me.

Abandon Points

For the first 120 kilometres, whileI am in Switzerland it is easy to abandon the ride and either ride home or take the train. Once I am on the French side, if I give up, then I have a two hour wait for boats until Yvoire, and from Yvoire it is a half hour wait. If I find that the group is riding too fast then I would give up by the time I get to Saint-Gingolph. At that point I am commited to cycle to Yvoire, at the very least.

Starting Point

In theory I could join the group in Nyon, as they ride through but if I do that then I face two challenges. The first is to warm up and be at their pace without warming up with them, and I face cycling between Geneva and Nyon when it’s busy, and more unpleasant, due to pedestrians, badly parked cars, and more. If I take the train to Geneva then I can warm up with the group, and start at the same point. If I start and end in Geneva I can easily take the train home.

A Desire I Have Had for Years

Cycling around the lake is a project that I have had for years, and I feel that I am finally ready to take it on. My concern isn’t whether I can make it, but whether I can keep up with a group going at an average of 27 kilometres per hour for one hundred and eightly kilometres.

Mostly Flat

Although the ride is long the ride is “flat”. I know the roads between Geneva and Lausanne, and Yvoire and Geneva. The segment of road that I do not know yet is betweeen Lausanne and Yvoire. I have driven along, but have not cycled yet. Familiarity makes riding routes more comfortable.

An Unusual Opportunity

Recently I have been riding sixty to one hundred and thirty kilometres without suffering too much, and being fine the next day. I suspect that I will be fine with the distance. What worries me is the pace. I would be more comfortable with 20-25 kilometres per hour.

Having said this, I do not see trips around the lake being proposed as a group activity regularly. It would be a shame to miss this opportunity.

In an ideal world I would like to graduate from a one hundred and thirty kilometre ride to one hundred and fifty, or one hundred and sixty, and then try the lake. In effect I’m missing one progression step. If such rides took place regularly I would skip this one, and try within the next month.

And Finally

with this ride I am pushing the envelope twice. I am pushing the envelope by riding 50 kilometres further than my furthest ride, and I am riding at two to five kilometres faster than my normal riding speed. If I was pushing distance, and not speed, I would feel confident. It’s because I am pushing speed and distance that I have doubts.

I have three more days to decide on whether to take on this challenge.