The first day of summer following one of the coldest winters in Europe for 30 years got off to a great start as we left our 1 star accommodation in Le Pont. The rain was now drizzle, visibility was at least 100 meters and the temperature had risen at least 1/2 degree C to 5.5 !
Our departure co-incided with Le Ponts annual festival as locals , many dressed in green and gold (obviously in our honour) followed by giant cow bell ringers paraded to the local church for a commemorative service
On the road at last with H replacing his down to the metal brake pads the boys soon pillaged villages stocking up for our last day of Jura cycling.
Our early cycle took us along the Lac due Joux, Switzerlands largest lake over 1,000 meters and Europe's largest natural ice skating rink in winter ( easy to believe!)
A wrong turn half way along the lake saw the boys send out the courageous Kiwi flyer Ross to cimb a nearby hill to confirm that we were in fact heading back to where we had started the day !
Back on track the moment of truth came when we passed thru Le Brassus and commenced our last big climb of the Jura a 5 km 7-15% gradient climb into the mist and wild lands of the Jura massif,
Ross as usual did it on the bit, Kev in masterly effort plodded his way to the top and the snow levels while Mike taking to walking in parts was just behind Kev !
The 35 km descent to Nylon was a stunning ride thru national parkland, eerie mist and a slowly warming of temperature celebrated at one point by Kev lying in the snow (Idiot !)
We stopped 12 k,ms from Nyon for lunch with an outlook towards lake Geneva - what lake said both Kev and Ross when I asked them of the view !
The remaining 12 kms to Nylon where equally delightful with the massif behind us, Geneva with its spout in the distance and busy Nyon in front of us.
After a number of tiring days and after last nights sub par accommodation the boys splashed out with a hotel on the water front of Lake Geneva
H having choked on the hotel rates fell over when he opened the bathroom door to see a bath with a window outlook and the bathroom with its own TV !At such prices we expect to be eating down at the local salvation army handout centre tonight !
Its been a tough few days through remarkable countryside only slightly spoilt by the terrible weather - with our journey on to Grenoble France all we now need to do is work out how the hell to get there !
Hi Litchy. What is it with all these festivals. Every 2nd town you guys visit is having one. I hear there is a cheap unused tent for sale. Those Cols would not be as difficult without that excess kit. Looking forward to seeing photos of them being used. From Rafferty
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