A Mixed Ride along the Women’s Tour De Romandie Track

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A few years ago I went for a ride and noticed that people were standing by the side of the roads and there was little traffic. I eventually realised that it was for the Tour De Romandie and that I was riding at least an hour ahead of the race. It was a strange and interesting sensation.

Tomorrow I plan to repeat that experience with a slight difference. I saw that there was a mixed bike ride tomorrow ahead of the Tour De Romandie Feminine the next day. I signed up and thought I had been ignored, as I’m a guy. That wasn’t the case. I was accepted.

There are two loops available. The first one is a 90 kilometre loop at 28-30km/h and the second one is a 50 km loop at 25 km/h on the flat. I feel more comfortable with the shorter loop.

This year I have walked at least 1700 km but only 780km or so, so it’s better to take the easier option, not to be exhausted.

Too Much choice

As usual, because it’s the weekend I know of two hikes, on to Le Reculet, another near Leukerbad, one via ferrata to the Rocher De Naye and two bike rides, one within the context of the Tour de Romandie for women, and the second for a bike ride from Lutry to St Gingolph.

Two Pull Factors

There are two factors that attract me to this event. The first is that it’s fun to cycle along a cycling event route and to experience what I could watch people experiencing on Sunday. The second factor is that by doing a group activity, such as this cycling event I will meet people who enjoy cycling as I do and it leads to more future activities.

Getting There and Back

I considered cycling to Morges, doing the ride, and then cycling back but that will fatigue me before the event starts. Instead I plan to take the train to Morges, cycle to the event, and then cycle home when it’s over. I could take the car but the cost of parking and fuel will be equivalent to taking the train whilst not avoiding Morges traffic.

The Buridan Moment

Choosing not to drive to Leukerbad was easy, because of the long drive and choosing not to do Le Reculet is relatively easy because it’s people I don’t know yet so I don’t know what I am missing. Choosing between the VF and Cycling is harder. It’s not that I want to do the VF, it’s that I feel I should see the group I know but I am not filled with a burning desire to do the Via Ferrata, especially this weekend.

The Cycling Opportunity

I know of a group that cycles within the Canton of Geneva every week and I know of one that cycles from Divonne every month, but I don’t know of a group that cycles from around where I live regularly. That’s why going for tomorrow’s bike ride is a good idea.

A Final Cascade

Weeks ago I heard that friends were going to Leukerbad so I thought I would do that. I then noticed that Le Reculet would take place closer to home, with a group that was closer to me in age. I then saw that a group I’m part of but have mixed feelings about created a VF. I signed up to the cycling event because I thought it was Sunday, but then saw that it was Saturday so I became quadruple booked.

Leukerbad was easy to eliminate because of logistics. It’s a long way to go for a walk when I could do one nearby. That was fine until the VF came up, but then when I was allowed into the cycle event that muddled things up again.

The most exciting proposition is the bike ride. As it’s advertised as mixed I’m sure that it’s fine for me to go but I still have a little reservation about it. I considered going at 08:30 to see how it was, and then wait for the 10:00 event to start. If I did that then I could easily abort the bike ride and head for the VF. VF gear takes no space in a car.

I have enjoyed slow-up events, Critical Mass and cycling meetups so I am finally feeling confident that the cycling event is the right one. I will know for certain this evening.