Reading Time: 3 minutes

If you're looking for a cycling project and you live near Nyon then I would suggest taking the bike along the lake road from Nyon through Crans, Coppet, and beyond towards Geneva, and when you get to Geneva following the 46 signalisation for the cycling route. There are moments when it is not as clearly indicated but for the most part it is.

Cycle Path from Nyon to Geneva

The advantage of this route is that from Nyon to Geneva you are nicely seperated from traffic. For the most part the cycling path can also be used by pedestrians. On the weekend the cycle lanes are sometimes full of parked cars and pedestrians. On a weekday though the cycle lanes are free and practicable.

Chaotic Geneva

With the Geneva section it is more chaotic. You take the main road along the tramlines towards Cornavin, before eventually turning left to head towards the lake, and then across the bridge that leads to the Ile Rousseau before turning left and crossing into the park where pedestrians and other cyclists make the experience chaotic. If I was to redo this bike ride, knowing that I was going to take the boat back to Nyon I would take a route via the Grand Genève because they have made the cycling setup chaotic and dangerous.

In Geneva the cycle lane has cyclists, pedestrians and more. You also have trotinettes and people going at various speeds. The person I was riding with was almost collided into by someone not cycling with due care and attention. At another moment the cycle lane is thrown to the opposite side of a busy road without proper signalling. If you miss it you're heading straight into oncoming cyclists, and there is no escape as the road is busy and dangerous. I strongly believe that Geneva could do better.

After Escaping Geneva

After Genève-Plage the riding is slightly less chaotic, except for the moment where traffic leaving Geneva is kicked to the other side of the road with barely any warning. After this it finally gets better with us cycling along secondary roads where there was little to no traffic until Hermance. In Hermance you have a one kilometre climb but part way along it you can join a cycle route and follow it almost until Yvoire.

My recommendation

If I did this ride again I would head down towards the lake when I got to Perle du Lac and try to ride along the cycle lane that goes in front of the Palais Wilson, along the lake front. I would then cross the Pont du Mont Blanc through the Jardin Anglais, but rather than go along the chaotic lake route I would take small streets towards the top of Parc La Grange and head into the countryside that heads towards Hermance and Yvoire.

I drew a hypothetical route but I don't recommend following it too closely. Follow it until you find cycle paths, and follow them, to avoid the centre of Geneva, staying rural as much as possible as you make your way around Geneva. The Pont Butin is good for cyclists and then you can head down towards Geneva, towards Plainpalais. You can then head along Rue De La Croix-Rouge before heading towards Rive but rather than going down to the lake, stay up. There are some nice rural roads through the fields in the outskirts of Geneva that are pleasant to cycle along.

A few years ago I cycled from Geneva to Yvoire and went via the countryside, as much as possible, rather than the lake side and it was a nice experience. I need to find that route again.

The Boat Across

With the half fare the boat costs 8 CHF per person, and eight francs per bike, for a one way trip. This means 16 CHF per person. It's better to ask whether you can take the bike, just to be certain.

And Finally

Although my post may sound negative the experience is a positive one. From Nyon to Geneva the cycling paths are excellent. If you turn towards Perle du Lac and ride along the lake then the experience is more enjoyable than heading down the tram lines towards Cornavin. In theory you could even cycle through the quieter streets of Paquis to avoid the main road, until the Pont Du Mont blanc. When you cross the Jardin Anglais, slow down and enjoy the situation. When you're on the cycle lanes out of Geneva expect it to be a little more chaotic, as slower bikes, and pedestrians may get in the way. Expect to slow down through Geneva, to be safe.

When you're heading towards Collonge-Bellerive look for the 46 sign that tells you to cross the main road. By doing this you will simplify your life. I believe that the route is optimised to be ridden clockwise, rather than anti-clockwise. That's the next ride I should try.

https://www.main-vision.com/richard/blog/from-nyon-to-yvoire-by-bike-and-back-by-boat/

#boats #cgn #cycling #Geneva #Nyon #yvoire

Reading Time: 2 minutes

If things go to plan I will be cycling a metric century today. I will be cycling from Nyon to Yvoire via Geneva. It's the first time in a while that I cycle this far but there are advantages to this route. For a large part of Nyon to Geneva I will be on cycling lanes and once I survive the crossing through Geneva I will be on the Via Rhona, the cycling route that goes to Marseilles, if you go in the opposite direction.

Relatively Flat

Usually when I do such long bike rides I go over the top of the Jura, towards the Vallée de Joux and back. This time it should be relatively flat with 400m of climbing over 100km, rather than over a thousand. A possible challenge is the temperature and water. I don't know how many fountains will be running along the way so I don't know whether to go with 2 litres of water or 600ml of water. Rationally I'd rather have too much, than too little. Riding to Geneva and back I have often consumed 1.6 litres or more, so for twice the distance it makes sense to have 2.6 litres. 600ml on the bike, and 2 litres in a bladder.

Empty Fountains

In the past I would have relied on water fountains to refill water bottles but due to increasingly frequent droughts fountains are empty of water. I do not want to be in a situation of no water, The other reason for the camelbak is that I only have space for one water bottle, so the camelbak gives me more flexibility.

My rule is not to hike with two litres of water, because when you're hiking up to 3000m+ with too much water you're exhausting yourself with the altitude but also with the water. I'd rather carry two litres and a water filtration system for when I get to a stream. with cycling weight is critical when going uphill so I may be tempted to have less water than I need but for a flat ride, like today's I think I can afford to have spare water.

Fuel

I plan to have an acceptable lunch, and have a bar or two, and power gums with me. I don't expect to need, them but they're just a luxury to have, in case I suddenly feel the need.

The Previous Longest Ride

The previous maximum distance was 104.85km with 1506m of climbing, so three times more than I will do today. The Geneva part might be a little complicated but after that, and before that could be pleasant.

Looking Forward to It

I am looking forward to this challenge. I was thinking of cycling to St Gingolph and then catching the train back but this should be a fun ride. It could also be my first time around Hermance in years. I used to go every weekend at one time for scuba diving. Yvoire is a nice place, and if the boat schedule is convenient then I would consider catching the boat back.

I think nothing of going for a four hour hike so it makes sense that I would be relaxed about going for a four to five hour bike ride. It might not be ideal to go so close to the solar peak but some parts will be in the shade. If I am tired on the way to Yvoire I can crosss from Yvoire to Nyon, and if I am knackered on the way back I can catch a train with relative ease. This should be a fun bike ride.

https://www.main-vision.com/richard/blog/a-metric-century-nyon-to-yvoire/

#100k #cycling #endurance #yvoire