Minimum altitude: 167 meters
Distance: 30.7 km
Slope Aspect: Various
Vertical Climbed: 332 meters (1,089 feet)
Vertical Descended: 325 meters
Rating: 2
I marked the first lake swim of the year with a quick outing to Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage, heading for the Lac des Eaux Bleues. I rode out from central Lyon along the Rhône’s right-bank towpath. It makes a transition from city to open space and has a good surface that you can blast along at 30kph - or more on a gravel bike.
I stopped at Mama Beach for a quick dip. “Quick” being the operative word: no more than five minutes in the water. It was still pretty cold, but not nearly as bracing as I’d feared. Across the bay, the naturist beach was packed, with plenty of people already splashing around, far hardier than me. That said, I was in a tri-suit rather than a birthday suit, so I’m not sure it counts as full commitment.
The ride back was more direct, following the cycle path alongside the autoroute. With the effort and a bit of sunshine, I warmed up and dried off surprisingly quickly.
All in all a short but satisfying swim-and-ride to kick off the season.
Tshirt and swimming weather but a cold north breeze broken by the woods on the south facing Mama beach.
