Montreux to Yvoire

September 27, 2023

I resisted Marjory's request to stay another day in Montreux, but the view out the window this morning was just as captivating as yesterday.

Lac Leman making it hard for us to leave.

We followed along the waterfront for quite a ways, then cut across through that bird sanctuary (Les Grangettes) past Villeneuve which made for wonderful, cool riding with zero traffic.

We then came to cross the Rhone where it empties into Lac Leman. The river looks so muddy, the lake is so clear. I wonder if they dredge the entry point?

We cross the bridge and head through an agricultural area on our way to the Rhone. When people think that we bike "along the river" all the time, it is really only about 65% of the time, some days much less.

Super bike trails through the farmers fields.

As we are biking the south shore of the lake, we soon enter France. The north side is Switzerland. We do get back to the lake finally, and ride along it.

Had to capture the flags although the border is actually a km or so back.

The road certainly had some busy, sections with no shoulders for us or bike trail. There were also numerous sojourns away from the lake (read uphill) so we got in a workout for sure.

Marjory was determined to get an Evian t-shirt - she always looks to buy that brand of water, but it was not to be. The Evian complex actually has a formal visiting protocol where you park and enter for 2 hr. We demurred, but where is the gift shop?

Marjory searching for the Evian gift shop.

On the other hand, through the town of Evian for several km we had amazing bike paths right along the lake.

More road for quite while away from the lake, and finally a bike path.

Getting close to Yvoire, this is Thonan les Bains.

We arrive at our hotel, and Marjory waits with the bikes while I check in. Probably my least favourite part of bike touring is checking in and out and schlepping the bags every day.

My bike (and Marjory) patiently waiting for me to check in.

However, this place had the checkin down to about 20s and a closed garage for our bikes. AND, a Michelin restaurant for dinner. OK, so who booked all these hotels?

Finally, we get to the room and I remember that I had stashed that bottle of Cremant d'Alsace in my front pannier (what, you didn't think I would leave it behind?). So I am sipping as I type. And then its dinner at Le Pre de la Cure. See you tomorrow in Geneva!

Oh, look what got into my front pannier!

Today's ride: 61 km (38 miles)
Total: 301 km (187 miles)

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