Page 14 - Shining On Newsletter - Autumn 2022

woe and a desire to fiddle. His intention was that since he had brought some new brake pads with him,
his uncle would take pity and do the required fettling to bring the bike back to life. John however was not
to be drawn into the spider's web of mechanical woes so the free army of amateur mechanics had a riot
as they pored over the machine. The bike definitely was thirsty as it drank a fair amount of water, but the
brakes were unimproved throughout the trip. We kept clear of John when he was behind us!

The second day’s ride was a delightful run led by
French Ulysseans Enzo, Francine and John on his
VFR in his usual minesweeper role, over to the
Chamonix valley and up the side opposite to Mont
Blanc for a spectacular view of the mountain from a
lakeside stop constructed for hydroelectric purposes,
where tourists now flock on a clear day. We dropped
into a biker café on the return with an interesting mix
of old machinery sometimes being used as the table
supports for a clear table top. The run back to the
chalet was frustrated by a road closure requiring a
detour of about 25 kms over another hillside with yet
more hairpins. This added sufficient time to ensure
we ran into torrential rain during the last 5 Kms.
Drenched but smiling, we arrived back and
congratulated ourselves in the bar.

That night, back in Chatel we were entertained by a
spectacular natural sound and light show coming up
the valley. With the ample overhanging eaves on the
chalet, we could all stay outside, avoid the rain and
watch the show until we were disturbed by a
screeching noise coming from the front of the chalet.
Thinking something out of Jurassic Park had
escaped, it turns out it was a ‘dodgy’ van
overcooking the turn up the hill from the roundabout
and going off road and flipping upside down. Despite our best efforts to provide assistance, we were told
by the vehicle occupants to leave and even offered money. Clearly something amiss, the authorities
turned up pronto, took control and even had the vehicle recovered before daylight. That wouldn’t
happen in the UK!!
Day 7 - Chatel to Leysin

Friday and time to transfer
from Chatel and join the
International gathering proper
in Leysin. As it was only an
hour ride, we all began to think
about ways to get there without
getting soaked as the heavens
had opened up again that
morning. I elected to leave on
my own and backtrack to
Montreaux first to see the
Freddie Mercury statue on the
lakeside. Parking solo was a relatively easy task and I only had about 50m to walk to get in line for my
photo opportunity. Photos secured, I rode on to Leysin only to arrive again in torrential rain as I snaked
up the hillside to the hotel. This late arrival in rain was beginning to be a regular occurrence!

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