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| Hi there,
If you'd like to do the ride as part of an organized event (not a race) that includes supports along the way (food and drink, as well as emergency mechanical assistance), a pasta meal afterwards, and a cycling jersey, there is a large organised tour happening June 1st, the Cyclotour du Leman. There are a bunch of EF-ers doing it already (including myself).
Regardless of whether your choose to do this official event or go on your own, the answers to your questions are as follows:
1. The road is generally quite good, although in France it is not as good as in Switzerland (a few more bumps and potholes). Know that the roads along the Swiss side from Geneva to Lausanne are generally quite busy, and the route takes you directly through the dead-centre of Geneva. It's best to start the ride as early as possible to avoid traffic.
2. In terms of elevation, it is quite flat: there is a small climb exiting Thollon in France (going clockwise around the lake), and there are a few rolling hills between Geneva and Lausanne, but the elevation gain is quite small (if I recall correctly, the maximum height you achieve above the starting point is something like 80m). The road follows the lakeshore almost all of the way, which means that, by definition, it's very flat.
3. It's generally quite easy to follow because (depending on which direction your ride it) it's either all left or all right turns, and the lake is an excellent navigation aid. The only places it gets a bit confusing are at the Valais end of the lake, where you have to head inland a bit to find a bridge that will take you across the Rhone, and near Yvoire, where if you stay too close to the lake you end up in the town and not on the road anymore. However, a 1:100 000 map should be fine for navigating.
I do know that quite a few people are doing the official cyclotour as more of a race, so several of us are already planning to do another ride similar to the one that SamCole organised last year: we'll head out from Lausanne to do the lake at a very casual pace, and all will be welcome to join. We plan on taking frequent breaks, and the goal is just to get ourselves back to Lausanne by the end of the day to enjoy some well-earned beer and food on a patio somewhere. If this would be of interest to you, just let me know and I'll post a reminder once we've sorted out more details. I think we're not planning on doing this until late August/early September.
Happy riding,
Heather | |
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thanks for that! i'm not sure whether i'll join the official ride on the 1st, however will be up for the ride in late summer. keep us posted!!
cheers