On Fri, 09 May 2003 19:19:52 +0000, mperr wrote:
>
[email protected] (Zinc Rave) wrote in message
> news:<
[email protected]>...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm planning a bicycle tour around Lake Geneva (in Switzerland) this July. Can anyone direct me
>> to some websites with information on planning such a trip? There's 2 of us, not experienced
>> riders (but quite fit).
>>
First of all, the lake tour is "only" 167 km by the shortest route. This means that a trained
cyclist could do it in only one day. It's probably not your goal, but this is to give you an idea of
distances.
Here are a few comments on the route starting from Geneva towards Lausanne. From Geneva to Morges,
don't try to follow the main road along the lake. It is very busy and you won't usually see the lake
anyway, as it is usually hidden behind private property. Instead, take the secondary road in the
vineyards a few km north. For instance: Versoix - Crassier - Gingins - Vich - Vinzel - Féchy -
Aubonne - Lavigny then back to the lakeside in St-Prex. From Lausanne to Vevey: The main road can
also be very busy, but there you are only meters away from the water and it is very pleasant. If you
don't mind climbing a bit (~200 m), from Lutry you can take the "route de la Corniche" through
Grandvaux - Riex - Chexbres, and the view there is really gorgeous. Vevey and Montreux: follow the
main road, there is no better way as far as I know. There may be a cycle path part of the way.
Villeneuve to St-Gingolph: There is probably a cycle path crossing the Rhone valley. St-Gingolph to
Evian: The main road is the only way. Usually OK on weekdays, can be a nightmare on week-ends. More
traffic from Evian to Thonon. From Thonon back to Geneva, stick to the lakeside as much as you can
by using the secondary road through Yvoire and Hermance.
If you have more time, you might want to cycle a wider loop around the lake. With moderate
elevations you can follow the foot of the Jura range (north side of the lake) through Bière ,
Montricher, maybe up to Romainmôtier (beautiful 15th century abbey). If you are fitter, go to the
Vallée de Joux (passes at 1200 - 1400 m elevation). On the south side of the lake, the Haute Savoie
is also a very nice area, although I suspect the grades will be steeper. I don't know enough of it
to make recommendations.
For preparation if you can't get the Michelin maps at home, look at www.viamichelin.com. Here is in
particular the map that shows Geneva - you can move using the sliders at the edge of the map:
http:-
//www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/fra/dyn/controller/mapRoadMapDisplay;jsessionid=0000E25BI2S1ZJQ3R-
1WSDBYZM5I+ucpku3iu?direction=5&pageOrigin=300&rndId=ad8d734a&rnd=1052601667841
Good luck
Jacques