Beer at the top of Col du Marchairuz
View of Lake Geneva and The Alps
THE END - love my helmet hair!
Receiving our medals from Fiona and Kirsty, and Hector!
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Day 18 photos
Resting half way up the col du Mollendruz
Lac de Joux
Meetin Iain
The high point of the tour. All downhill from here.
Day 18 - Colombier to Rolle (on lake Geneva)
At 8pm we arrived at Rolle on Lake Geneva (or Lac Leman as the French call it) the end of the ride!!!! We then rode up the last 40 m climb to our friends Cathy and Iain in the village of Peroy where we are to stay for a couple of days holiday.
The day started early leaving at 9.30, now taking the familiar routine of Chris and Paula shopping in the local supermarket while I fix the bikes, in today's case it was Rachel's first gear which did not work on the climb on the previous day.
The first 15k were along rolling roads to the north of Lake Neuchatel before the cycle paths started and continued for 15k to Yverdon at the west end of the lake. We had 2 options from here, either head towards Lausanne and cycle along Lake Geneva to Rolle, or head East and add a couple of good climbs. We obviously went for the second option.
The road from Yverdon to Orbe was good, and it was here that the first climb started. The next 20k was a lovely gentle climb from 500m in Orbe to 1144m at le Pont. It was nothing like yesterday's horror climb. We all managed it very easily with Kate picking up the KoM points, Chris, Sarah and myself close behind, soon followed by Rachel and Paula. I suggested a 4k detour to pick up a Col. Everyone was up for it (am I finally converting them?). So we rode to and from Col du Mollendruz EL.1180 before the short descent to Lac de Joux. This lake is just over 1000m above sea level and there was an amusing sign telling people not to throw rocks at ice skaters.
We stopped for a break by the lake and before pressing on. We had been texting Iain all day as he was keen to bike to us and ride the last part together. At Lac de Joux we agreed to meet him on Col du Marchairuz (1447m) and enjoy the last descent together. However before this we had to climb it from the north side. It was only a 400m climb but the early stages were very steep, not quite as severe as yesterday's, but about 9-12%. It became a bit easier before reaching a false top at 1337 m. It was here that we met Iain which was fantastic. Kate again won the climb. Next time she is having panniers! Rachel refused to let me help her, now her gears were working she had no problem.
The last 100m climb to the Col became a race, Kate trying to beat Iain, who has just ridden a stage of the Tour de France, so it was great to see Kate being put in her place. After Kate was Chris closely followed by Sarah, then myself, Rachel and Paula. We had a drink in the restaurant before one of the highlights of the whole trip, a 24k descent to Lake Geneva with fantastic views of the lake, Mount Blanc and the Alps. We all simply loved it, getting up to 68kph, the roads were smooth wide and no dangerous corners.
So it was with big smiles that we arrived at Rolle beach, Iain took the obligatory photos before we rode up to Peroy where we were presented with medals made by Iain and Cathys girls, Fiona and Kirsty.
It had been a hard but great days ride. We were all very happy to finish and look forward to a couple of days of resting, swimming, eating, drinking and sleeping!
today's stats
Distance 117.1 k
Time 5.52.26
Average speed 19.9kph
Climb 1551m
Total distance 1548k
The day started early leaving at 9.30, now taking the familiar routine of Chris and Paula shopping in the local supermarket while I fix the bikes, in today's case it was Rachel's first gear which did not work on the climb on the previous day.
The first 15k were along rolling roads to the north of Lake Neuchatel before the cycle paths started and continued for 15k to Yverdon at the west end of the lake. We had 2 options from here, either head towards Lausanne and cycle along Lake Geneva to Rolle, or head East and add a couple of good climbs. We obviously went for the second option.
The road from Yverdon to Orbe was good, and it was here that the first climb started. The next 20k was a lovely gentle climb from 500m in Orbe to 1144m at le Pont. It was nothing like yesterday's horror climb. We all managed it very easily with Kate picking up the KoM points, Chris, Sarah and myself close behind, soon followed by Rachel and Paula. I suggested a 4k detour to pick up a Col. Everyone was up for it (am I finally converting them?). So we rode to and from Col du Mollendruz EL.1180 before the short descent to Lac de Joux. This lake is just over 1000m above sea level and there was an amusing sign telling people not to throw rocks at ice skaters.
We stopped for a break by the lake and before pressing on. We had been texting Iain all day as he was keen to bike to us and ride the last part together. At Lac de Joux we agreed to meet him on Col du Marchairuz (1447m) and enjoy the last descent together. However before this we had to climb it from the north side. It was only a 400m climb but the early stages were very steep, not quite as severe as yesterday's, but about 9-12%. It became a bit easier before reaching a false top at 1337 m. It was here that we met Iain which was fantastic. Kate again won the climb. Next time she is having panniers! Rachel refused to let me help her, now her gears were working she had no problem.
The last 100m climb to the Col became a race, Kate trying to beat Iain, who has just ridden a stage of the Tour de France, so it was great to see Kate being put in her place. After Kate was Chris closely followed by Sarah, then myself, Rachel and Paula. We had a drink in the restaurant before one of the highlights of the whole trip, a 24k descent to Lake Geneva with fantastic views of the lake, Mount Blanc and the Alps. We all simply loved it, getting up to 68kph, the roads were smooth wide and no dangerous corners.
So it was with big smiles that we arrived at Rolle beach, Iain took the obligatory photos before we rode up to Peroy where we were presented with medals made by Iain and Cathys girls, Fiona and Kirsty.
It had been a hard but great days ride. We were all very happy to finish and look forward to a couple of days of resting, swimming, eating, drinking and sleeping!
today's stats
Distance 117.1 k
Time 5.52.26
Average speed 19.9kph
Climb 1551m
Total distance 1548k
Day 17 - more photos
Cooling feet in lake Bieler
Jumping in lake Bieler in the pouring rain
Sun setting over lake Neuchatel
Day 17 - Photos
The early part of the climb from Court to Grenchen
Team cuddle at top of the hard part of climb - to keep warm
Paula near the top of the climb
Start of the descent
Day 16 - photos
Typical signpost on a German cycle path, with various route numbers, smaller signs are for walkers
On the longest single span cycle/pedestrian bridge in the world, looking south. The right feet are in Germany, the left feet in France, the buildings over Chris's right shoulder are in Switzerland
The bridge
View of Basel, about to say goodbye to the Rhine
Wet, cold, eating great chips at the end of the ride in Delemont
Day 15 - more photos - THE RESCUE
Chris swimming out to help Sarah as she is getting pulled into the rapids. The first question I was asked was "did you video it?" No, but I did take a photo.
Chris , Sarah , "the small crowd and the skull crushing rocks"
Day 15 - photos
Biking along the excellent path south of Strasbourg
Hail stones the size of marbles. But only lasted for 30 mins.
Day 17 - Delemont to Colombier
I woke up at 6am to sound of heavy rain as promised in the forecast. Our room for the night was 6 beds wedged together side by side making us look like the Seven dwarfs (only that there were 6 of us tall folk.....), and loads of wet clothes hanging all around us, yet we all slept well. Next time I woke was 8am and the rain had stopped. At breakfast we were promised a possible dry morning with rain in the afternoon. So we moved as quickly as Wiseman's can in a morning, ate as much as we could, put our wet clothes on, stocked up with food in Lidl and headed off about 10.30.
The first 20k were along the river valley through Moutiers and turning left at Court for our first serious climb. The 20k to Court was gradually up hill climbing to an elevation of 675m in Court from 550m in Delemont. The route was on a main road but through some lovely gorges. The road had cycle paths between the villages and towns but not in the towns. I must say that the drivers in Switzerland are the most arrogant and impatient drivers I have met. After the fantastically patient drivers from Holland, Germany and England to suddenly have drivers overtaking through towns on blind corners when they are not allowed to cross the central white line was very disappointing at best, and incredibly dangerous at worst. Several times drivers coming the other way had to break hard or drive off the road to avoid a head on collision. We always used the cycle paths, which were good, or rode in 2 groups of 3 where there was no path to make overtaking easier. The drivers attitude may also explain why there are relatively few cyclists in Swiss towns compared to Germany, Holland and even England.
When we reached Court we started the big climb, I did not think it would be too hard, just a climb of 650m. My first comment was "this looks steep". It was. It started with a 10% climb and then got steeper. I started the climb first and stopped to take photos. Chris and Kate were next to pass me, Chris out of the saddle fighting the weight of the 2 heavy panniers, Kate like Nairo Quintaro (winner of the king of the mountains at this years tour), floating up the hill behind him. Then Sarah, looking very comfortable. Rachel, next, what I did not realise was that Rachel could not use her bottom gear also she has only two gear rings in the front gears , I.e, a compact gear set, this meant she was always fighting the bike. This also meant her bottom gear would not have been as easy as mine even if it worked! She was also carrying her pannier which included her make up bag, not light. Next was Paula, who had started walking!!!!! However I was only cycling at 4-6kph, which is walking pace.
The climb was brutal, it got steeper. 10 - 14% for 5k with out a break. Worse than stelvio pass, alpe d'huez and the Galibier. Apparently my quote was "This makes the Alpe d'Huez seem like a piece of p***!"
After a couple of Ks Rachel was struggling so badly I had to take her pannier, that was 5 panniers for me. It had now started to rain and had got cooler, it dropped to 13C. My back ached, and I was suffering badly, I could not stop, as I knew I could not start again, as it was too steep. Eventually the slope got easier and I saw Chris, Sarah, Kate and Paula waiting for Rachel and me. Kate had won the climb, her only comment was "I am getting cold waiting for you lot!"
The last part of the climb was quite easy and we all crossed it without any problem. The first part of the descent was slippy and we all took care. After regrouping we descended the last part of the climb,
Chris and Kate went first, I gave them a couple of minutes headstart then chased them down. The
highlight of my trip so far. was flying passed them both at 60k giving them a huge fright! Gravity winning!
By the time we arrived in Grenchem it was warm, and we breezed into Biel/Bienne cruising along the main road. Biel/Bienne is where the language changes from German on the East to French on the West, but to avoid offending anyone Paula just spoke English!!
We rode along a cycle track to the north side of lake Biel, and we stopped for the children to have a swim in the lake. By the time they had got in, it was raining again and Paula and myself were hiding under the the train train track. We wanted to go as far as we could so we pressed on to Landeron for a good, but expensive dinner served in the lovely old part of town.
It simply poured down when we left the restaurant, but stopped soon to provide some amazing views of lake Neuchatel, we passed through the town of Neuchatel before finding a hotel in Colombier. It was quite late (9.20) so bargaining power was limited, 300 Swiss francs (about £220) for a very ordinary hotel for B&B seems pricy, but this is Switzerland!
We had ridden more than I had hoped as the forecast had been awful. Tomorrow would be the last ( but hardest) day!
Today's stats
Distance 99.7k
Time 5.33.05
Average speed 17.9 kph
Climb 1115m ( by far the most)
Total distance 1427k
The first 20k were along the river valley through Moutiers and turning left at Court for our first serious climb. The 20k to Court was gradually up hill climbing to an elevation of 675m in Court from 550m in Delemont. The route was on a main road but through some lovely gorges. The road had cycle paths between the villages and towns but not in the towns. I must say that the drivers in Switzerland are the most arrogant and impatient drivers I have met. After the fantastically patient drivers from Holland, Germany and England to suddenly have drivers overtaking through towns on blind corners when they are not allowed to cross the central white line was very disappointing at best, and incredibly dangerous at worst. Several times drivers coming the other way had to break hard or drive off the road to avoid a head on collision. We always used the cycle paths, which were good, or rode in 2 groups of 3 where there was no path to make overtaking easier. The drivers attitude may also explain why there are relatively few cyclists in Swiss towns compared to Germany, Holland and even England.
When we reached Court we started the big climb, I did not think it would be too hard, just a climb of 650m. My first comment was "this looks steep". It was. It started with a 10% climb and then got steeper. I started the climb first and stopped to take photos. Chris and Kate were next to pass me, Chris out of the saddle fighting the weight of the 2 heavy panniers, Kate like Nairo Quintaro (winner of the king of the mountains at this years tour), floating up the hill behind him. Then Sarah, looking very comfortable. Rachel, next, what I did not realise was that Rachel could not use her bottom gear also she has only two gear rings in the front gears , I.e, a compact gear set, this meant she was always fighting the bike. This also meant her bottom gear would not have been as easy as mine even if it worked! She was also carrying her pannier which included her make up bag, not light. Next was Paula, who had started walking!!!!! However I was only cycling at 4-6kph, which is walking pace.
The climb was brutal, it got steeper. 10 - 14% for 5k with out a break. Worse than stelvio pass, alpe d'huez and the Galibier. Apparently my quote was "This makes the Alpe d'Huez seem like a piece of p***!"
After a couple of Ks Rachel was struggling so badly I had to take her pannier, that was 5 panniers for me. It had now started to rain and had got cooler, it dropped to 13C. My back ached, and I was suffering badly, I could not stop, as I knew I could not start again, as it was too steep. Eventually the slope got easier and I saw Chris, Sarah, Kate and Paula waiting for Rachel and me. Kate had won the climb, her only comment was "I am getting cold waiting for you lot!"
The last part of the climb was quite easy and we all crossed it without any problem. The first part of the descent was slippy and we all took care. After regrouping we descended the last part of the climb,
Chris and Kate went first, I gave them a couple of minutes headstart then chased them down. The
highlight of my trip so far. was flying passed them both at 60k giving them a huge fright! Gravity winning!
By the time we arrived in Grenchem it was warm, and we breezed into Biel/Bienne cruising along the main road. Biel/Bienne is where the language changes from German on the East to French on the West, but to avoid offending anyone Paula just spoke English!!
We rode along a cycle track to the north side of lake Biel, and we stopped for the children to have a swim in the lake. By the time they had got in, it was raining again and Paula and myself were hiding under the the train train track. We wanted to go as far as we could so we pressed on to Landeron for a good, but expensive dinner served in the lovely old part of town.
It simply poured down when we left the restaurant, but stopped soon to provide some amazing views of lake Neuchatel, we passed through the town of Neuchatel before finding a hotel in Colombier. It was quite late (9.20) so bargaining power was limited, 300 Swiss francs (about £220) for a very ordinary hotel for B&B seems pricy, but this is Switzerland!
We had ridden more than I had hoped as the forecast had been awful. Tomorrow would be the last ( but hardest) day!
Today's stats
Distance 99.7k
Time 5.33.05
Average speed 17.9 kph
Climb 1115m ( by far the most)
Total distance 1427k
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