A Pleasant Ride to Montricher

On Sunday I rode with the Le Cercle No Pressure Club group ride from Nyon to Montricher via Vich to Begnins, and From there to Gimel and then onto Bière and eventually Montricher.

Easier Start

Normally groups default to climb from Nyon to Coinsins, and from Coinsins up towards Genolier and Le Muids before going across towards Bière. By choosing the route we chose we got to have a more restful ride. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference for the quality of the ride.

The climb from Begnings to Burtigny is still quite long and sustained, but it’s less demanding than the route up to Genolier. Part of the reason is simply that there are fewer cars, and when cars do want to overtake they can, quite safely.

I find that cars and motorbikes make a huge difference to how hard or easy a climb feels. Cars and motorbikes like to push through, instead of waiting. If a chain breaks, or if for any reason we have to stop, then there is no safety margin. That’s why I don’t want to climb the St Cergue road, and why I no longer go up to Barillette.

Crystal Clear Air

On Saturday morning it rained overnight, and into the morning. This means that all the moisture that had been in the air for weeks cleared, and for once we had a good view of the Arc Lémanic, the Alps and the Jura towards the mountains behind Gruyère. It was a great day for riding. We could even see the Jet D’eau in Geneva and the Mont Blanc in the Alps.

When the sun orbited around our planet the backlit Mont Blanc became front lit, and that’s when we could see more detail. If you like seeing the Mont Blanc, yesterday was the right day.

Well Rested

Although I did not sleep well, due to people turning their garden into a beer garden for one night I was very well rested. Thursday’s ride was cancelled, so I got to rest. Friday I had no plans for a ride, and Saturday I played with the idea of going for a ride. It’s because of heavy rain, and the prospect of a sleepless night, due to the neighbours not realising they’re not in the middle of a private park, I did not expect to sleep well.

Nothing is worse than going for a sporty day, and coming home to people on their balconies, or in their gardens, speaking loud and getting drunk. I’m not against drinking. I much prefer the culture of bars, restaurants and more. The pandemic is over. People don’t need to have noisy parties at home anymore.

Full of Energy

When you ride with groups that ride hard, you need to ride hard, and over time this affects your level of fitness. As a result, when you’re on a no pressure club ride, like I was yesterday you’re comfortable. You can slow down, and appreciate that other people are not riding as fast.

This allows me to sprint up short climbs, and then slow down again and chat with people between climbs. It was at least 80 kilometres of riding and I felt fine until near the end when I got tired

A Long Downhill

From the foundation near Montricher towards L’Isle you have a long continuous downhill towards the vineyards, and the lake if you choose to go to the lake. We didn’t. There is one bit where you go down a valley, before heading back up. What you don’t know is that there is a 15 percent climb to knacker your legs. you will feel this climb. It’s in La Vaux, after Etoy. if you want to try to avoid it.

Why is This Route Significant?

If you want to cycle from Nyon to Yvérdon-Les-Bains, or even towards the Moléson Funiculaire it is useful to know of a flattish, pleasant route. By using this route it increases the range of your bike ride. It increases the probability that you could then reach further, and eventually either take a train home, or take the lake road home after ranging further.

And Finally

Everyone of us has a cycling mental map of the area. When we go on group rides with a variety of groups we get a variety of new routes that local people find out about. The more we ride with these people, the more comprehensive our knowledge of the region becomes. That’s why it’s good to ride with one Geneva group and two to three Nyon groups. That’s how we get ideas to turn projects from ideas, to accomplished.