Old Jo says... a new Era to start March 31, 2016 !

36+ years have gone by since I started working for Caterpillar, now the time has come to say good bye to my working life - as I shall retire on March 31, 2016 - and say hello and welcome to my New Life ! 

Let's welcome the 2016 Biking Season and its famous rides and socials.

Cats beware a new Dog is coming with plenty of time to train...and I am ready.

Jean-Mi

Ring of Fire Ride Report Tuesday June 23, 2015

For once all of us were On Time ! A beautiful evening was starting.
To warm up..a quick bords de l'Arve and a short "climb the wall" in Etrembiere before we hit le Petit Salève and agreed to Boum-Boum's suggestion for an even more steep of a climb...why ?
It was not easy..all were pleased to reach the top. God's country scenery before we hit the well waited for downhill - and then it was just, just, just, great ! We love Le Petit Salève !
p.s. Even if suffering, Papy "enjoyed" the climb without complaining..
More bords de l'Arve at steady speed in winding skinny paths to reach La Tarentella where Master Ref. hidden in its red cover was waiting for us.
Suffice to say the pasta, pizza, beer, wine, dessert, coffee, limoncello were just perfect and the waiter only trying to cool us down as the noise made was disturbing nearby neighbours...
The same waiter warned us about the spicy sauce...yes he did..we did not trust him..hence the title.

Riders: Boum-Boum, Balls, Limoncello, LaBrico, Papy.
Stats: Distance 36 kms, elevation 555m, f****** steepest side of Petit Salève...but great training !
Pointage:
+1    All riders
+1    Papy invite/lead
+0.5 Missile joining for Dine
- 1    Balls for wrong tracking the group dowhill & lousy i-phone camera..
+1    Boum-Boum for mad uphill skills and fantastic downhill lead and mastery.

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....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 ; - ))

First Pre-Season Ride - Biking in the Wind - Sunday March 15, 2015

Balls, Limoncello, Boum-Boum and Papy got the first pre-ride of the season under the belt last windy Sunday !
It felt good to ride together again. Jussy Woods offered shelter from the cold Bise, its dry tracks and "sentier des douaniers" let us rode and allowed to refresh our technicals skills.
Before doing so, we could not resist cheering up for Lisa (who appreciated) and many other charming legs who ran the Tour de Presinge 10km race.

29.8 kms in distance over about 2 hours, before we were called back to our family duties.

Balls was in a stampede, flying over logs and ditches, Boum-Boum steady and easy as usual,
Limoncello spin-pumping up, thanks to his commuter's training...Papy trying to cope with the youngsters madness.

To tease...here are some pointage claims:

+ 1 Balls for a fresh dart start in season.
+ 1 Limoncello for facing his family after the ride - being almost two hours late.
+ 1 Boum-Boum for patience..as we were cheering for those nice legs running...
+ 1 Papy for inviting, leading, guiding.. (as least trying..)

More !

In Search of Biking Fitness in Jussy Woods - Saturday March 14, 2015

I shall get the Old Faithful Re-Born RIP9 out in the woods for a pre-season warm up spinning ride !

Departure 11.00h - Choulex Mansion...or other suitable timing.

Anybody interested ? Let me know.

2014 Season Party - FEBRUARY 03, 2015 - 19.45h - NEW NAVY CLUB

It's never too late to celebrate 2014 !

When:  February 03, 2015 - 19.45h
Where: New Navy Club - Old Town Geneva (same place as last year)

Counting on you All, please confirm so I can book accordingly.

Ain't no chicken but a TURKEY !

This one could barely fit into the oven.....but so tender !

Just a joke !

Kidney stones aren't Rolling Stones !

You got bladder stones, kidney stones, gall-bladder stones.....welcome to the stone age Missile !

                                                          Remet toi rapidement mon ami !

The FOX ride - Thursday October 23, 2014 - yes a Thursday !

This picture kindly provided for Jo Balls...as his eye sight is slightly diminishing....a fox not a bunny/rabbit/hare, my friend !
A fast and furious ride down the Salève....and then back...in the dark swinging throughout the canton of Geneva, thank you LaBrico, a superb ride + dynamic dine - great argumentation.

The Core: Missile, Balls, LaBrico, Husky, Limoncello, Papy/Old Jo
Stats: No hucking idea - about 2 hours and 30 kils.
Pointage: Usual and..
+ 0.5 LaBrico for the ONLY spill of the ride
- 0.5 Missile - chain breakage
+1.0 Papy for chain quick-link supply
+1.0 Husky's return
+1.0 Limoncello for "un coup de rein majestueux lui permettant de doubler Balls et Papy lors de la dernière montée... à l'approche de l'écurie...."

The Reset Ride - Tuesday October 14, 2014 - Bords du Rhône

32 km of frantic ride in the dark at an average speed of 14 kmh, following blindly guide-master Boum-Boum in the darkness of the Bords du Rhône.
Elevation.. some "coups de cul", downhill only one.. where unfortunately LaBrico tried to  decapitate himself...(hope you are fine mec) Exciting muddy, slippery, twisty single tracking on the menu. Visiting the Geneva wineyards and "Châteaux-Vieux" an experience. A great Ride !
Finally rushed to Brasserie de St Georges - right on time - stuffed our faces with the promised fondue chinoise - with french fries - and mucho Beers - Williamine was invited at the end of the dinner...Waitress lost her mind when she saw us and same for the final bill...honesty was here - bravo !
Can hardly remember all insanities that were said but one was a ride around the Mont-Blanc during summer 2015. (version liberté - no guide, only GPS, Velorizon to book hotels and carry bags)

No mechanical, no flat, ONE OTB graciously  offered by Jo Balls - some scrapes on his pride and body - he will recover - a broken rear brake lever......merde alors.
Nighters: Missile, LaBrico, Balls, Boum-Boum, Limoncello and Papy.
Congrats to:
Missile who  came on his bluet bike from the other side of the wall and back..over 60 km.
Boum-Boum who disappeared in the night returning home instead of car pooling while being offered.
Balls for the return of Jo Balls.
Limoncello for providing a lock for studs.
Papy for struggling along on uphills...only the uphills !

Darn good memories !

Good News Everyone !

My Faithful RIP9 has returned with its repaired Hope hub wheel and now spinning..finally !!

 

Do not name me "The Blaireau" or Bernard....only a new bike !!

8 kgs for a racing red roadster ! It flies..ask Claude if he likes to be overtaken..(downhill)

The Pace Car ride report - Tuesday May 20, 2014

Once the conflicting ride invites issue was solved and LaBrico found his way to Choulex football field through some unkown itinerary...we all took off in the late afternoon sun, Salève side, for some spinning on Papy's favorite dusty race tracks. Some called it a warm up, some a training ride, some a boring ride (meaning no f......g climbing..) some a beautiful ride, in welcoming forrest, gorgeous sceneries of maturing fields and amazing views over the Mont-Blanc. (soon Swiss territory as soon as our near bankruptcy friendly neighbour will sell..joking..)
Tartarin de Tarascon (Limoncello) could not believe his eyes seeing a rabbit and a faisan...no hunting in Switzerland - in France even hérissons (hedge hogs) are being hunted.
No flat, no mechanical, no otb, no blood (were faster than the mosquitos) Two chain drops !

Participants:
LaBrico, Limoncello, Husky, Zorbas & Papy alias Pace car
Stats:
Distance: 42 km
Duration: 2.05 hours
Average: 18.9 kmh
Elevation: Who is she ?
Difficulty: Easy to some parts difficult....funny how the Pace car went ahead as the roots, bumps, winding turns of the Sentier des Douaniers showed up !!
Dine: Café des Amis filets de perches and perfect evening on a terrasse for those who dared..

Pointage:
Usual points for participants and host.

+ 0.5 Limoncello for a daring speeding uphill - overtaking the Pace car
+ 0.5 Husky for two chains drop, shouts in the wild...
+ 0.5 LaBrico for adapting his invite (I unfortunately did not see it)
-  0.5 LaBrico for being late and lost at every cross road - smile
+ 0.5 Zorbas who played end of train red light but did not get lost this time.
+ 0.5 Papy Pace Car for enduring criticisism but offered a nice evening.

A la prochaine !

A caterpillar ride invite - Tuesday May 20, 2014 - Choulex-Jussy Woods

 

p.s. that animal was met Saturday crawling - as big as my index finger....

A sunny day is waiting for us tomorrow, so let's go and roam the Jussy woods and vicinity in desperate search of our lost riding skills and spinning abilities.

Good training for all and specifically for the ones dragging on the training (me..)

We will eat at the famous Café des Amis and possibly stop for apéro (3DC) at Cheval-Blanc..

Place: Choulex
Time: 18.00h
Ride: Jussy Woods
Dine: Café des Amis - Choulex

Who is in ? Let me know so I can book the place.

Winter is still here and the snow just great !

Not ready yet to drop the skis for the saddle. Too much good snow still available.
Come visit us in Crans-Montana ! Picture taken on the Petites Faverges hors-piste.

 

 

Where are the Skaters ? Are we skating this Wednesday ?

Last Wednesday was incredible, the skating and the dining !!

Shall we do it again this Wednesday ? Say where - Say when !!