Le "Rapid' Cycles" ride report

Saturday 27 June ride (lead Labrico, but ride request posted by Limoncello on June 26 - Claude had technical issue to post), hence ride report written by the same Limoncello

Ride Stats:

• 74 km
• 1528m up
• 4h50 on the bike
• Average temp 23C, Max 37C. Temperature on top of the Salève was perfect.

From Veyrier, went half way up the Salève, down to Monnetier for an unplanned break, then up the Salève by the road, all the way to the end of the Salève above Cruseilles, return to Labrico's home then Veyrier.

Highlights

• Great biking day, and writing this report only now, I am glad I had we had this ride dear Claude.
• Labrico fixing his bike at Rapid' Cycles: that's a place to go (may be for a year end dinner). This music bar / pub has been closed for years, and is being re-opened by the  next generation. Vintage coffee machine and oven in the kitchen, stage for gigues, the kind of place with a heart (bon, en français: avec une âme). The owner sees DH riders stopping by with broken bikes, so he put some tools outside the bar (not the right tools though). Place is called Café de l'Union
• Statue of the oak on the way down. You guys probably rode nearby in the woods by the Maison du Salève in the bois de Pomier.
• For both bullet points above and pics beloz, see quiz posted 27 june (no good answer)

Points:

• Points for both for a great ride
• Shared points: Labrico organizing, Limoncello appointed as personal secretary for ride request and ride report

Still discovering new things in the Salève area

Behind les Voirons ride report

Ride: les Voirons via Bonne

Ride posted 27 June: BoumBoum and Limoncello started on the banks of la Menoge up to Bonne, then up to the top of Les Voirons. A nice pause for a snack, and then a great downhill to reach Annemasse and go to douane de Fossard all along the Foron.

Stats:

• 54 km
• 1420m up
• 4h on the bike

Highlights:

• Some have ridden the banks of la Menoge in the current direction and it is up, down, left, right all along for 3 km ich. We did it the opposite way and went up to Bonne, which none had done before. This was really cool.
• Going up les Voirons via Bonne, we met at some stage migrants from the bois de Jussy, namely starving mosquitoes, although it (fortunately) only was for a section of the uphill.
• Great downhill in the Voirons, dry and beautiful
• Nice "dérapage" from BoumBoum while going underneath the bridge to cross the Annemasse-Thonon road. Not that often that I can see him grounded.
• Going all along the Foron to Fossard, which included some climbing over fence and bridge
• All together, a really nice MTB day

Points:

• Participants: BoumBoum, Limoncello
• Host: Limoncello
• Mother nature: Scenery/landscape, sun and temperature, tracks, etc … 10 points

Salève and Petit Salève from Bonne

Salève and Petit Salève from les Voirons

Jura from les Voirons (c'est pas mal non plus)

2015 Corporate Games - Ride Report

Not officially posted (I though I had), but worth reporting:

• Event: Annecy, 15 sports, including MTB (team and individual race), 4000 participants, 100+ companies represented (mostly French and Swiss, but quite some from other countries)
• MTB Race: lap of 10 km, 250m up (see reports from last year Corporate Games 2014 report )
• Team race (Saturday): relay, 4 riders, 1 lap each
• Individual race (Sunday): 2 laps
• Cat Riders: Cédric R., Nicolas T., Olivier B., Limoncello

Highlights:

• Hot, it was hot, especially on Sunday
• Cat team finishes 6 out of 27 teams, scoring 3 points (in each sport / category, the first 8 score points, 8 for the winner, 7 for the second …).
• Corporate Games Party on the Saturday night: no comment, you have to be there. Engage your company for the 2016 edition and you'll see
• Individual race: Limoncello collapsing. I don't know, probably a combination of the aftermath of the party and the heat. Average heartbeat per Garmin: 180, no energy, I finished in the last 10 out of 120 I think. Agonizing all along, really, but not giving up, never!

Points: don't know, up to the ref. Limoncello organizing the Cat MTB team, participating and bringing points to the company during the team race

Left to right: Cédric R., Limoncello, Olivier B., Nicolas T.

Newbees ride report

No official Jo other than Limoncello on this ride, but report anyway since the ride request was posted Aug 28.

Riders:

• Grazziano, recently joined Cat Geneva. For Cats (and Dogs who were Cats in a previous life): career in used equipment  ex CGT, then FSA in Madrid, and now Cat in Geneva
• Marc, neighbor of Grazziano
• Limoncello (host)

Ride: Bords du Foron, bords de l'Arve, Petit Salève

Stats:

• 36 km
• 654 m up
• 2h20 on the bike

Very nice Sunday morning on the bike. Marc knows the Salève well, but Grazziano discovered … the best spot in the area! Really cool

Points:
I don't know if this ride qualifies for point. Ref, up to you.
May be a compensation for 5 late ride reports ….

Left: Grazziano, Right: Marc

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

The Bouncing Boobies Ride Report

Not quite those, but the intent was definitively here, and let BoumBoum literally speechless for a minute….

What: Bouncing boobies' ride
When: 11 Sept 2015 (ride posted 9 Sept 2015 (Jeune Genevois ride)
Starring: BoumBoum, Limoncello, featuring whoever she was
Where: Petit Salève via Bout du Monde

Stats:

• 38 km
• 803 m up
• 2h45 ride time
• 185: max heartbeat prior to even riding.

Highlights:

• Initial plan was to meet at Veyrier, but we ended up meeting on the bridge over the Arve (after the stairs leading to the stade of Bout du Monde)
• BoumBoum and I arrived almost at the same time. We were about to start when a ring made us look on the bridge to see a young lady racing on her MTB, in obvious need for more oxygen. She passed us with a smile as our lower jaws were about to touch the floor. No time for picture, but that was very similar to the one posted.
• DH'd 2 segments that BoumBoum re-discovered and had not ridden for may be 15 years … Beautiful.

Points:

• Participants: BoumBoum, Limoncello
• Ride host: Limoncello
• Bonus point: BoumBoum for an (almost) new DH segment in the Petit Salève

Ride report: The Sarkozy Ride

Saturday 13 June 2015

Riders: BoumBoum, Adrien (Bassist - contrebasse) at the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Limoncello
Ride lead: Boumboum (comme d'hab)

Ride stats: 52 kms, 850m up, 3h10 on the bike (note: I went up the hill before reaching home to pass the 1000m up mark (just for the sake of it). Total time …. well, probably 5h due to some stops, talking, mechanical, drink with a lady who fell in love with the musicians, etc...

A really nice ride: Arve river banks (flat, direction Chamonix) till St Pierre en Faucigny, then up next  on le Mole, via a pretty technical track (rocks, roots) including about 150m portage (in preparation for TdMB?). Then down in direction of Fillinges, to reach the little single by the Ménoge which took us back to the Arve again, about 2 km of the Casino).

Highlights (see pictures in relation to some of the comments):
- The Danny Macaskill pass
- The Arve river banks are beautiful. Its a nature reserve with numerous spots to admire the wildlife
- Meeting Carla and Nicolas Sarkozy (hence the title) and their friends (including Obama)
- Limoncello: mechanical with "le dérailleur de merde". Not sure buying this bike was such a good deal
- Refill stop by a house for Adrian who was running out of water. The lady (no picture available) clearly fell in love with our two musicians, and heavily insisted to invite us (successfully in the end) for a drink in order to get BoumBoum and Adrian's contact details (which they eventually gave). That was supposed to be for his son, who was here and couldn't care less, so I let the readers draw appropriate conclusions.
- Boumboum: tentative for OTB (no succes)
- Almost a hit into a horse who was quietly drinking out of a bucket, right in the middle of a small road (downhill). Lovely apologetical owner (unfortunately, no picture)
- The "Labrico land" road … you need to see the last picture for this one

Points: No points claimed since the ride was not advertised (per the rules). Up to the venerable ref to make exceptions of course.

Pictures:

Come on BoumBoum, Danny Macaskill would do it on the bike with closed eyes

(wooden bridge probably taken off by the water a few weeks ago)

 Wildlife

The Arve near St Pierre en Faucigny

Nice pedestrian bridge over the Arve (near St Pierre en Faucigny) 

The former and future French Presidential Couple 

Sarko, no Banania for us, beers for 3 thirsty MTB riders please! 

The whole family 

Attention les poules (et les poulettes), la prochaine fois, on amène Labrico!

OMAR NE M'A PAS TUÉ.....MAIS PAPY/OLD JO L'A FAIT !!!

Limoncello has proven "vaillance" during our Sunday ride that ended with 75.4 km on the counter, (80km for Limoncello - home coming/going to Choulex) a steady 5.05 hrs pedaling  and 667m climb. Rivers banks of Seymaz, Arve, Aïre on the menu, topped by Petit Salève, almost all borders of the canton were visited...Ladies called to know whether we were still alive...Lisa's "Super Bock" supply brought back smiles.
I cannot resist that picture taken after the ride..someone  in hamac...le repos du guerrier !!
No points claimed ; - ))

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

Beginners ride, the pics

Corporate Games 2014 - Report

Corporate Games 2014 - Report (Ref, quite late report, but asking for forgiveness due to holiday, etc ...) 

For reference, see post 17 May 
- July 4/5 2014, Annecy-le-Vieux
100 companies (10 countries, mostly from France and CH), 15 activities, 2600 athletes (1400 last year) .... fabulous ambiance, great fun, great MTB trail, Games party on the Saturday night at the plage de l'Impérial (no comment, you had to be there. It was ..... very interesting ....). 
- MTB Trail: 10.5 km, 250 up, quite wet 
- Cat team: Husky, Zorba, Nicolas Mollard, Limoncello 
- Saturday was the team race: 1 lap each in relay. We finished in 2h32, 14th out of 21. Not brilliant, but in front of Caterpillar competitor Mecalac, so we're OK. 
- Sunday, individual race (2 laps): Out of 81 riders, Limoncello was 31st and Husky 65th (Zorba and Nicolas did not participate) 
  
Highlights: 
- Staying overnight in Husky's camper (les vieux garçons ... see pic). Super cool, merci Michel 
- The whole event was fabulous, the MTB race fantastic, great organization, rain stopped on Saturday morning and gave us a break for the whole week-end, perfect! 
- Husky's OTB during the track "reconnaissance" on Saturday evening .. ça fait mal! 
- Cat MTB team spirit ... that was cool guys 
- Nicolas' flat at 50 meters from the finish line ... ending up running / racing while pushing the bike, and diving to the finish line. 
- Several gold or other medals from other Cat athletes: Swimming, running, golf, bowling 

Points: 
- Participation and flying the Cat colours: Zorba, Nicolas = 1 point, Husky, Limoncello = 2 points (Saturday and Sunday) 
- Pushing and putting the team together: 1 point Limoncello 
- Logistics: 1 point Husky, your camper is great 
- OTB: ? point Husky
Next Corporte Games in Annecy July 4/5 2015. This will be the third and last event in Annecy, they expect 4000 participants. Check the web site, get your company engaged, that is a really cool event. We'll have one (two??) Cat MTB team racing (may be open to one or two dogs, need to check the rules). I'll post in due time.

The "Le Lion est mort" ride report

Indeed the Lion (the ref in our case) was dead, actually experiencing what it means to be trailing behind (on the flat and/or against the wind, he was alive going up and down).
3 courageous riders, knowing they were likely to get some rain, but still eager to hit the trails: Labrico, Missile, Limoncello (host)
We left the Stade du Bout du Monde around 18:30, went south under Labrico's guidance, trying to escape the dark clouds, our wheels going from single trails in the woods, to wider trails, to bits of asphalt. We then went up the Salève above Beaumont (really cool single track by a little river, got some rain at this stage), and crossed on the flank of this beautiful mountain to land behind Labrico's house.
The usual magnifique DH towards Veyrier and back to Stade du Bout du Monde.
Drive to Limoncello's: Bière du Salève, BBQ, Ice cream, and ….. Limoncello!

Stats:
46 km (longest Tuesday ride this season)
Up 673m
Time on the bike 2h35

Highlights:
- Missile's day off. Man it was good to have him behind me once in my life, even if not for a good reason. Had we been in Jussy woods, I would have had 1 kg of mosquitos in my teeth
- Missile's excuse book (excerpts) to have a rest: "I need a natural break", "I need to fill in my bottle", "I need more air in the rear wheel", "I stopped for a beer with a group of junkies" … Ref, with all due respect, it is OK to say you're just f….g dead once in your life.
- Labrico's attempt to make us believe he too was talking to the clouds ;-)
- Christèle on Wednesday morning: "where is the meat and vegetable left for Tiphaine's lunch?" …. well, ask starving Missile ;-)

Points:
Participation point: Labrico, Missile, Limoncello
Host and dine points: Limoncello
Bullshit award: Missile -0.5 (see above)
Courage award: Missile 0.5 starving (light if any lunch) and suffering, but … pedal damn it
Leading award: Labrico 0.5 for finding the tracks while escaping (most of) the clouds and rain
Selfish award: Tiphaine -0.5 for drinking all the coke with no notice for the shopping list. Fortunately Labrico had a bottle in his car

Thanks guys for a really nice ride and time together.

Tuesday Ride - June 17 - Salève or Petit Salève

Meeting point and time: Stade du Bout du Monde (parking next to the BMX track), 18h00
Ride: Salève or Petit Salève, whatever, dry tracks, sunset all ride long, wonderful view on Geneva and the Jura
Dine: Da Limoncello
Let me know by Monday pm if possible

"Cheval Blanc" & Arriba Ride Report Oct 17, 2013

 

Filet de boeuf, topped with foie gras and cognac sauce, going along with a nice earthy red wine, Les Corés from Anières !! Are you drooling ?..we enjoyed...where were You ?
Limoncello and Papy were there at the "Cheval Blanc" after playing hide and seek on the Hermance Trail.

Riders: Limoncello and Papy (host..)
Distance: 35.2 km
Duration: 2.01 hours
Elevation: 190 m
Track: Muddy, muddy...and rolling too.
Weather: Sunny Thursday and Full Moon.

Points distribution
Usual pointage for riders as per ruling....I was again host.
+ 0.5 to Limoncello for desperate unsuccessful attempts to be a half wheel ahead of Papy, point given for dedication.

"Les Assassins " Ride Report Oct 13, 2013

 

Riders: Limoncello and Papy (host..)
Distance: 44.36 km
Duration: 2.33 hours
Max. speed: 35.9 kmh
Elevation: 164 m
Track: Muddy, muddy...and rolling too.
Weather: Sunny Sunday, just fresh.

The Summary:
Muddy trail, branches, leaves, roots made it quite an equilibrium, balance and inertia exercice.
Limoncello on a burst of energy left...decided to play with his life, threatening an innocent group of ladies walking their cherished doggies.....Imagine a rat shaped dog running sideways in front of your front wheel trying to escape as you are charging...Limoncello missed the damn dog by an hair, avoided crashing in the wineyard by an inch and survived the ladies death threat...erupting in chorus..."assassins"...as we were "brilliantly" escaping !

Points distribution - anyone to comment, add or else..!
Two brave riders...pointage for riders as per ruling....hey, I was still host...
+ 1 to Limoncello for avoiding the Crash & Kill of the Year
+ 0.5 to Papy for Splish-Splashing frantically in liquid mud and still getting a shiny bike..no need to guess which bike is clean..

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

Tuesday Ride - Oct 8 - Petit Salève

Petit Salève should have dried up by next Tuesday, and it may be the last ride there this season for some.

Meeting: parking douane de Veyrier, 18:00 on the bike

Mandatory: light (battery charged).

Dine: da Limoncello

Surprise: there will be one, especially for the Jura guys ... don't miss it!

Answer by Monday noon latest for logistic purpose, thanks.

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

The Rainy ride report

Participants: BoumBoum, Zorba, Limoncello (host)
Climbing: 300m ich
Distance: in the range of 13 km
Riding time: ??? say 1h30

Plan was to do Petit Salève, but the dark clouds and rain drops on that side suggested we use the cable-car and ride South. It all started pretty well along the sentier des bucherons (cleaned from fallen trees). What a nice single! Rain drops caught us as we started the descent de la Thuile, and got heavier and heavier after each switch back. Rain was then pouring as BoumBoum aka Mr Salève took us to the little chapelle just above Beaumont.
Here we found Sandra and Laurent, hikers protecting themselves from the floods of water, who eventually saved us by walking to their car, driving back to the chapelle to pick me up, and dropping me in Veyrier so I could come back to pick up BB and Zorba and the 3 bikes.
We ended up at the Buffalo grill with a pretty good Bison meat … miam!
So a very short ride, probably on par with Missile Vs Shimano fail ride.

BUT …. we did not chicken out and went on the bike, unlike some who dropped out just a couple hours before start time (see points) for some unclear reason.

Points:
1 point riders: BoumBoum, Zorba, Limoncello
1 point host: Limoncello
0.5 point Boumboum who knows everything in the Salève, including where to find the chapelle
0,5 point Zorba, drinking his pastis between starter and main course
-0,5 Papy for chickening out
Extra points for Sandra and Laurent for being so nice!