The pressure was off today. I had ticked all the boxes (and more) so all I had left to do was a 75 mile cycle to Geneva Airport to catch an 8:50pm flight to Heathrow. I left at 8:30am after an inclusive breakfast. It was really muggy despite the rain, thunder and lightning overnight.

The Google route looked to be showing a nice cycleway up the River Isere (which I had cycled along from Morains to Grenoble a few days earlier) but on arrival it was left disappointed as it was just another stony track. Big lesson learnt – don’t expect all French cycle paths to be tarmac’d (or even passable). That left me with no choice but to follow the D1090 – a long, straight, flat road with an occasional painted cycleway. At least it was Sunday and probably quieter than normal. Still I mustn’t complain as I was making good progress. The only thing of (partial) interest was that the invasive Japanese knotweed was prevalent along large areas of the riverbank.

I stopped for coffee and ‘services’ in Albertville after 18 miles. That seem to mark a change not only in the quality of the cycleway, but also the style of the properties and scenery – more Swiss-like.

After Albertville ‘no cycling’ signs on the ‘D’ road forced me onto the start of a cycle path which gradually improved as I got closer to Ugine. After that, it was what cycle paths should be; well tarmac’d and well signed. It was Sunday and it was popular with families, semi-professionals, tourists together with runners, walkers and hikers, both with and without solar panels. Nice to see. I also came across a Roman snail which is a protected species crossing the cycle path (nothing wrong with my eyesight) so did the honourable thing and helped it on its journey. We also have a few at Banstead Woods parkrun.

After 37 miles I stopped for lunch (a small salmon quiche bought in Albertville) in Bredannaz overlooking Lac d’Annecy. The old train engine next to an old station converted into toilets was the first indication that I was probably on an old railway line. Being at the southern end of Lac d’Annecy, I was sure that the cycling would only get better given that there was a dedicated 28 mile route round the lake. The peace and tranquillity was then rudely broken by the braying of 2 donkeys behind me.

Leaving Bradannaz, I soon entered a tunnel and then came across a bike shop and café at another old, converted station. Further along there was a nice ‘beach’ on to the lake. I was very tempted to take a dip, but time and logistics were against me.

Approaching Annecy the views opened up with moored boats and more. Annecy remined me of Strasbourg from my 2023 Rhine trip. The water was crystal clear.

Being a Sunday, it was heaving so I wandered through the old town with my bike to look for the best route out of town. That took me up a long, gradual ascent, initially through the suburbs and then on painted cycleways on the edge of main roads, over the impressive Pont de la Caille to Crusseilles.

After a short descent the road then headed up again to the Col du Mont Sion at 786m elevation. From there it was an exhilarating descent to the outskirts of Geneva, after which it was a real grind on busy roads, over the border at Perly, to the airport. I had covered 76 miles with 800m of climb.

I made it to the airport for @5:45pm and found the oversized baggage counter. As per the Swiss Air website a box was provided and taped up for me. My side of the bargain was to turn the handlebars round and under, and to lower the saddle. However, I didn’t have an Allen key to turn the bars down – an oversight on my part. Worrying that they may reject it I quickly put it in the box for the guy to tape up. As one brake hood was protruding through the box, he thoughtfully taped another layer of cardboard over the top. Fingers crossed.

After security, I had to pass through the new EES checks (fingerprints and facial images). While the inbound flight had already arrived late, we were even later leaving as we had to wait for 30 people who had been delayed by EES. Nevermind, I could reflect on a fantastic trip and the prospect of a few day’s rest.

I have a simple rule for judging these trips now; could anything have gone any better ? The only mechanical was a broken ‘cable tie’ securing my front part-mudguard, which I was able to replace. I had used virtually everything that brought with me (so no excess baggage). Obviously, some evening meals could have been better but that’s generally down to luck and what’s around and open at the time. So yes, it had been a fantastic trip which I put down to the planning. In total I had cycled 505 miles in 7 days (72 miles/day), or to be more accurate, 4 days and 3 half days, with approximately 8,000m of climb. I had earned my beer and bagel !