Grand Bois ride report

3 intrepid riders got on their bikes and went for a ride...
Into the "Big Forest" they went...
Mostly dry was the track...
Although, OldJo and Limoncello mostly looking for snacks...
(Here they are looking at the menu: Chateau de Chilly)

"Ride on" I said, "follow me into the woods" I insisted...
Eventually we got back on track...
Fun was had, nothing bad (no technicals, thrills or spills)...
All enjoying the start of a new season... very pleasing...
Yes, quite the poet, and I know it...

Then pizza we ate, until very late!

Here are the ride stats...
Distance covered: 35 kms (OldJo a little more as he had to get his ass in gear)
Ride time: 2 hrs
Elevation gain: 152m (OldJo insisted we keep it FLAT) ;)))
Points awarded:
1 for each OldJo, Limoncello & Balls for ride
1 for Balls for hosting
1/2 for Limoncello for keeping up (only Cat in the group)
1/2 for OldJo for first ride AS A DOG!!!

YEEEHHHHAAAA - the season has begun!!!!! ;)))))))))
More, more, more!!!!!

Ride on Thurs 1st Oct: Jussy / Hermance

Where: from my place

When: 18:30 Thurs 1st Oct

Ride: Jussy & Hermance

Dinner: Hermance pizza (yum yum)

Bring: Lights (charged and mounted)

Balls the Farmer ride report

Ride on Jeune Genevois day (posted 9 Sept 2015)

Happy riders: Balls, Old Jo, Limoncello
Play ground: les Voirons
Distance: 37.9 km
Ascent: 787 m
Duration: about 3h30

Highlights:

• Beautiful biking day while les Vaudois étaient au boulot. Perfect temperature, sunny and dry. Fantastic.
• Old Jo keen to show that la fusée verte can go up easy …. and it does indeed.
• Old Jo alias chippendale to wear a greeny jersey somewhat matching his new bike's color, right when a 82 year old lady was hiking with her 86 year old husband (hope any of us will be in that shape reaching their age, although I have serious doubts for some)
• Great great great DH in les Voirons
• Hidden romantic spot (cascade) found as we were trying an unknown track. We managed to keep the Chippendale quite though
• "Joe Bar Team" like turn on the asphalt by Limoncello as he was racing with Old Jo (speed about 60 kph heading to a U-turn).
• Refreshments and snacks in a boulangerie somewhere near Puplinge. Balls met a new friend and now knows everything about the challenges being a farmer in Switzerland, the strategy to set the price of milk, and the tensions between neighboring fire brigades. Marcel's new friend is a perfect candidate for a Wednesday dinner (a reference for those familiar with the French théatre de boulevard).

Points:

• Participants: Balls, Old Jo, Limoncello
• Ride host: Limoncello

Moi, Tarzan!!!

So romantic ….

Courtesy from Joe Bar Team

Ride Tues 16 June: Balls in Grand Bois

Ride from my place, 791b ch du Pont de Crevy, Veigy-Foncenex, 74140, France. 

Time for bums on seats: 18:30

Ride the Grand Bois and Hermance river. 

Bring lights in case it rains, cloud cover and darkness. 

Be there or be square...

Let me know who's in for catering purposes. 

Merci,

JB (aka Duracell)

The Two Snails Ride Report - Sunday June14, 2015

To clarify,  the ride report's name has nothing to do with the bikers....we simply crossed our way with two huge Escargots de Bourgogne...we took time to admire nature.
It started an hour late due to Papy's previous evening party....continued with Balls spilling coffee in my kitchen...and had to push him out (talking too much), finally got on the road at 10.00h.
Sun, Rain and Storm were our riding partners, a bit of "shit where are we now" spiced up the ride while trying to find our way by the Menoge river.
Boëge gave us shelter from rain for some well rewarding Reblochon sandwiches before hitting the La Menoge trail.
We returned home far too late as...somebody's Government dark clouds and striking lightings were piling on us..hence we raced and wind drafted to minimize the damages...(we all face that..don't we ?)
Maximum heart rates were overblown..and subsequent resting time was well deserved.

Bikers: Balls alias Duracell and Steady Papy
Where: Top of Les Voirons, Boëge, La Menoge, around Les Voirons
Stats:
Duration: about 4 hours and a half
Pedaling: 3.51 hours
Distance: 62.54 km
Elevation: 1'046 m
Max.speed: 74.8 kmh (Papy) 74.6 kmh (Balls)....draw conclusions...

Pointage: Again we cannot claim...but I would allocate some to Balls...see comment above ; -)

p.s. tilt your head on the right....sorry ! 

 

 

 

Sharing yesterday's gorgeous views from paradise where we ride !

 

Easy spinning ride for Balls recovery went well, he is now fit and growling....
Riding back home across beautiful scenery.

Balls happy after the ride -  back is holding !


My stud happy before the ride....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ride report: The Balls_Less ride

Riders: Labrico, Papy, Limoncello
Ride stats: 28 km, 494m up, 2h11 on the saddle

That was a back-up ride since poor Marcel is suffering from the back (see his ride attempt post)
Labrico started from the BMX track in stade du bout du monde, and was joined by Papy and Limoncello at the Migros Etrembières.
Dynamic and uninterrupted ascent of the Petit Salève, although we decided to start our way back slightly before the top for Labrico to be on time for Mathis, and we were indeed right on time.
Papy and Limoncello rode back to Chene-Bourg for a well deserved (and very good) pizza, before heading home.

Highlights:
- Papy in an artistic figure while hesitating between two technics on how to manage a technical passage. Kind of a slow motion of an OTB, but still ending on his two feet
- Limoncello being trapped in the net by the paint ball area, Papy patiently waiting behind for this to happen as he had noticed the flying net due to the wind
- Mathis proudly wearing his Cat MTB Tshirt (the 2012 edition???) which use to be too large and is now perfect size for him. This boy has changed / grown up big time lately.
- Very nice colors on the Salève with the sunset

Points:
- Point for all riders
- Point for Limoncello for organizing last minute
- Point for Mathis for wearing his Cat MTB shirt at the BMX track

Thanks Joes, it was a cool ride and evening

The Moussaka ride report - 12 May 2015 ride

Ride: Petit Salève, starting from le stade du bout du monde
Riders: Balls, BoumBoum, Labrico, Missile, Nameless, Zorba, Limoncello (host)
Ride details: 568m up, 32.6 km, 2h17 on the saddle per my GPS (a bit less for some)

Fantastic weather, dry track.
We left around 18h30 from the bout du monde, riding the Arve's right bank, which is a nice little single, yet offering less chances for checking on jogueuses getting out preparing for summer time.
Quite some time waiting for Zorba who got a flat and then missed the trail going up to Monnetier. BoumBoum and Balls as the rescue team, the later bringing back Zorba.
Pause on the way up, Rescue team 2 (Balls) feeding Missile with whatever energy bar was left from years of MTB, probably forgotten in the camel bag since 26" time.
Went up via the escargot way, Missile being inspired by the video posted by Beaujolais a couple of days ago.  Rescue team 3 with Balls helping carry Missile's bike while our dear ref was firmly holding the handrail, followed by a well deserved 5-min recovery time.
Limoncello's joke of the day: "Zorba (quite stressed as well), if you fall there, we'll have to change your name to Jo Moussaka."
As it was a bit late (and some did not have the lights), we did not make it to the top, and started the downhill. Petit Salève is a great play ground !!!!!!
At the bottom, BoumBoum, Missile and Zorba headed to Limoncello's, making sure they could benefit from the limited supply of Bière du Salève (1664 was the other option), while the rest of the crew headed back to get the cars.
A bit late for Nameless to join for dinner, so he missed the spaghetti - carbonara prepared by Christèle.
Balls volunteered as the DJ, and it was a great evening for all with LOLs.
Of course, respect was of essence and no laughs were heard when the ref sudently stood up with a funny face, suffering from a cramp.
All together, a great evening for all.
Pictures: Courtesy of Balls

Points:
Point for all riders
Points for Limoncello (ride host - dinner),  Thanks again Christèle for your help
1 point for Balls alias Mitch Buchannon. Next time bring CJ!

It's cool man!

Cramp, WTF!!!!

Energy bars please

I was a poor lonesome MTB rider

σωτηρία

Sunset on the Salève

Missile: j'ai faim

2015 1st ride

Hello all the Jo's. Let's make 2015 a great one! How about putting down a few objectives before the year runs away from us?

Here are a few ideas from my side:

1) enter a race (example Bariette or other)

2) do an Enduro event (maybe Finale Ligure), and

3) tour de Chamonix (Old Jo has this sorted). All ideas welcome, the more the merrier!

Let's get it going. I cracked the seal today - so mild outside i couldn't resist. 

Cheers, Balls

😜🍺😝💪😋🚵😎👍

The "No Dog" ride report

2 riders only, but 2 Cats for what was probably the last Tuesday ride on the Petit Salève this season. More attendance for the dinner though.

Riders: Weasel, Limoncello

Ride: started from Limoncello's place, warm-up to Veyrier by the Arve river bank (left), back at the foot of the Petit Salève. Then up to the top, and down to Limoncello's for a well deserved dinner.
Up: 690m
Distance: 30 km
Time on the bike: 2h30
Dine: BoumBoum and Papy did not want to miss it.

Highlights:

Warm and dry, sweet ride on the wonderful Salève. Really cool DH in the singles. Great evening out on the bikes. We did miss Balls would could not make it in the end.
Weasel behind Limoncello on the DH (OK, he had a crappy light)
Diots + Crozets + homemade compote de pomme + limoncello (of course) .... thank you Christèle. Miam Miam!

Now, here is the SURPRISE the Jura guys did miss: WE (the guys from the good side of the pond) have our very special beer. Tastes outstanding, very nice label .... sorry for you, you snooze you loose!

Guys, check this out: http://labrasseriedumontsaleve.com/

Points:

Host and Dine points: Limoncello
Ride point: Weasel, Limoncello
Free dinner point: BoumBoum, Papy
Bonus point: Limoncello for Salève beer supply! I still have enough for the next time.
0.5 point to Papy for joining although he knew the cat would be kicked out

Other point suggestions are welcome

Les bons comptes font les bons amis

Guys,

Some of us did not re-imburse BoumBoum for the cable car ticket that he provided us with on May 7.

Refer to ride report posted May 9: http://caterpillarmountainbiking.blogspot.fr/2013/05/ride-report-stm-saleve-ride-may-7.html

Riders were BoumBoum, Husky, Balls, Nicolas Thizy, Limoncello

The last sentence of the report was: "PS: Reminder to all: Need to reimburse or give a ticket back to BoumBoum for cable car ride. Minus point for short memory if needed."

Thanks to honore your debt to those who did not yet.

PS: Claude, I owe you the ticket for yesterday's ride

Ride Report - the STM Salève ride, May 7

Riders: BoumBoum, Husky, Balls, Nicolas Thizy, Limoncello

Distance: 27 kms

Time: 2h on the bikes

Up: +530m

Down: - 1210m

Petit Salève, via Salève by cable car. What a great ride and cool downhill, under the sun!

Highlights:

- BoumBoum stopping the cable car (closed doors) right before the start, so we could all jump in … well done

- WARM and SUNNY: exceptional enough this spring to be in the highlight section

- Mechanical: 1 flat (Nico, no tool nor spares), 2 flats … ich (BoumBoum, no repair needed, my 100% hard tail can also run flat and lead the pack).

- Test bike: Limoncello riding Papy's camber. 29er is cool. Done deal! New bike point at the next ride…. ;-)

- Gamelles: Husky, 4 times … no OTB, no blood, no point ;-(

- Marcel, going thru a late dinner while having a very early train to catch in the morning. Hope you made it on time buddy.

- Limoncello making: live demo, enough supply for the near future

- Thomas, delighted that Missile was not in, so he did not have to suffer witnessing his own limoncello go down like beer

- Moussy (the cat), disappointed that Papy could not make it ;-)

- Christèle, disappointed that Labrico could not make it … just joking to make him feel good.

and …

- STM unveil !!!! staring BB: Champagne and celebration! Limited information provided in this report. The STM unveil deserves its own post, big time! 

Points, points, points ….

Bonus

- Sun and weather: 5 points. We had the feeling spring was here.

- Riders, 1 point (BoumBoum, Husky, Balls, Nicolas Thizy, Limoncello)

- Host and dine and yellow juice, 1 point Limoncello (thanks Christèle, once again all was perfect)

- BoumBoum, 1 point for stopping the cable car, ticket supply for all (Jo's, remember to give the money/ticket back), and leading all the way with his "run flat 100% hard tail.

- Nico, 0,5 point for suffering on the way up, but always with a smile. "ça va?" … "ouais, ça va!" … "on y va?" … "OK".

- Limoncello, 0,5 point for tube and tool supply for fixing Nicolas' flat (I was carrying a 26" tube while riding a 29" … smart).

- Boumboum points for STM unveil: up to ref I guess once we have the specific STM post (BB?)

Minus

Nico, -0,5 for flat and no tool no tube

PS: Reminder to all: Need to reimburse or give a ticket back to BoumBoum for cable car ride. Minus point for short memory if needed.

American Crappic

Distance: 36 km
Up: 1,100
Time: +-3 hrs

Riders: Labrico, Jabest, Missile, Boum Boum, Nascar, Balls :1 point each
Ride and Eats Hosting: 1 + 1 points to Labrico

Awards: 
The "I am going to OTB on every ride" award: Jabeast +0.5
The False Accusation award: Labrico -0.5 for accusing Shimano brakes of failing when everyone knows they don't !!!
The "American Crappic" Award: -0.5 to Labrico for major failure of his American Classic front wheel bearings....
The Big Balls reward: Ja beast +0.5 for talling Labrico "You're braking too much on the downhills...."
The "Culoté" Award: Jabeast -0.5 for being cheeky
The "Wheel Man" Award: Nascar for mechanical assistance to autrui....
The "Rocket Junior " Award: Jabeast for being in front or his dad for quite some of the ride, riding up stuff dad didn't make and lasting the full 3 hours...." +1

Misc.
New bike points from a while back...: Nascar +2

Fondoo Run - Ride Report

Who: Toothless Joe, Missile, Limoncello, Labrico, Tanya, Balls, Nicolas,
What: Fondoo Eating & some riding
Distance: 35km
Up: 410m
Down: 1111m (no joke!!)

Hosting: Missile +1

Notable Events

OTB for Toothless Joe +0.5
The "Straight Faced" Award +5 points to toothless Joe for the best joke of the season!! Ask one of us...
The keeping a secret award 0.25 to limoncello for knowing and not telling!!
The 'too much fondoo' award - Missile -0.5 (otherwise known as the 'not enough bread award')
The not enough forks award - Missile -0.25 for not enough forks
The Spork Award -  for sporking..... Tanya +0.25
The Tooth Picking up award - Tanya for ensuring toothless' post fall ok-ness +0.5

....late reporting award....-0.5 to Missile (warning to others!!!:-)

Sunrise in Cape Town

Here's a pic from my hotel balcony this morning...

Branded leg

And here's a pic of Claude's disk break on my leg.

The "discover Romans area food" ride report

The "discover Romans area food" ride report (Romans is our home town and food and wine came from the region).

Riders (12): Papy, Balls, Tanya, Beau-Jo-Lais, Nascar, Number5, Weasel, Labrico, Newbees Dion and Nicolas, Limoncello, and Missile as "I am a poor lonesome rider"
Dinner attendance: all riders but Tanya who couldn't make it, plus Christèle and Thomas.
Ride details: Thanks to Labrico's estimate (his GPS record includes the Le Coin-Veyrier trip), we biked for about 1h45, 25 kms, and with 560m elevation on the Petit Salève.

Highlights:
Pretty nice ride along the arve river before we hit the Petit-Salève. Usual good downhill. The place to ride in the Geneva area
Quite a big group: 11 riders + 1 another one chasing or preceeding the group, or may be he got lost along the arve river and never found the Salève, who knows.
Despite the size of the group, departure almost on time.
Quote of the day: "Regardes pas en bas" (Papy) to Nicolas as we were about to cross the west side of the mountain.
Mechanical: broken chain (Nicolas), worn out break pads (Tanya)
OTB: Balls, ending up with no arm but a broken rear brake handle (riding a trotinette, I can't tease you on getting a real bike, but others will I guess)
OTB with style: Labrico (see below)
Dinner: caillettes + saucisses d'herbe + saucisses de viande + ravioles + Côtes du Rhône (all from hometown area), followed by homemade apple/apricot pie and the famous homemade limoncello.
The "bucheron" award: Labrico, trying to clear up the trail "head first" from a low hanging branch (diameter about 12-15 cm, get BoumBoum to saw it instead). Landing in the only muddy patch of the ride. Well done Claude!

The "brocanteur" award: Nicolas, for coming back with his old and dusty Decathlon bike without even putting some oil on the chain after 2 years or so of no use.

The "lack of planning" award: all riders with no lights. Guys, we are in September, must be part of the standard package now!

The "more beer for me please" award: Missile; for being home at 8h30 well ahead of the others

The "detox riders" award: Beau-Jo-Laid, Missile and Dion, for a good ride after dinner to get the fluid cleaned up.

The "I'll be back award": Number 5, for escaping the flat Peoria area for some good uphill

The "don't drink all my limoncello" award: Thomas, who had planned to drink it with his university mates. Too bad Son!

The "decibel" awards: Balls (1st) and Missile (2nd): prices given by Tiphaine, who was trying to sleep upstairs prior to her first day back to school

The "I am so lucky to be Limoncello's wife" award: Christèle, for "helping" me out to feed the team ... she basically did most of it, thanks Honey!

 

Points Points Points:

• All riders: 1 point for attendance
• Missile: 0.5 point, knowing he could not make it on time, but still showing up and trying to catch up chasing the group
• Limoncello: 2 points for organizing and hosting
• Extra points related to attendance???
• Balls and Labrico: 1 point for OTB
• Labrico: 0.5 point: no blood, but nice try!
• Nicolas: -0.5 point for lack of care on his so-called bike (il y a des soldes à Véloland!!)
• Dion: 0.5 point for mechanical assistance to Nicolas (chain link)
• Labrico: 0.5 point for break pad check-up on Tanya's bike

 

Any other suggestion ... shout!

Thanks to all for a great ride and evening,

Christophe and family

 

 

Labrico demonstrating his mechanical skills, prior to demonstrating his "flying skills"

 

 

 

You boys will you bring your lights!

 

Will you stop talking and poor the juice in MY glass please .... Hum, I love this!

 

 

CHEERS !!!

 

 

1st ride in Linale Ligure

Good sortie with Papy & Labrico. 30km, 800m positive, technical on both the up and down!!! Nice!