The usefulness of a mountain bike 3

June 18th

Distance 48,6 km, of which 8,4 on foot, 3,1 by kayak and 37,1 by mountain bike
Total time moving: 7,5 hours
Vertical distance: 180 m uphill, 170 m downhill

We left late to avoid the worst Geneva commuter traffic.  I cycled around some CERN buildings and beyond.  Then Neil and I walked down the forests of the Allondon valley and up above Malvas where groups of immigrants were working in the vineyards.  We met Sally and had a snack.  Neil persuaded me that I would gain time by cycling since many footpaths are feasible in this way, (and we also saw in the Jura and along the Doubs that many paths are done by mountain bike, so I cycled on and down to the Rhone, with some pushing and carrying, also avoiding streams and river beds.  I embarked in the kayak near La Plaine but could not land anywhere near the power station and dam further down the river (building site, fenced off), so had to paddle back upstream some 500 m to a footpath close to the river below Epeisses.  Neil carried the boat back to the car and I decided not even to try to kayak the last few km below the power station, but continued by mountain bike,  covered the westernmost border of Switzerland, and eventually reached the border post at Perly. I must admit I enjoyed cycling and the activity helped my sore feet!

Night:  Hôtel Ibis Budget, Annemasse