It was again getting colder today with an unpleasant northerly wind forcing me into the forest. Not that I minded because the cold also stiffened the trails, and the mud was almost gone. I decided on a perimeter ride starting out along the Blanden and Haasrode rim of the Meerdael Forest. When I reached the Valduc plains I ventured into those until I reached Mille. Then I returned along the Valduc estate - admiring the 700 year old taxus in their garden - before venturing into Meerdael Forest again.

The wind was freezing and I cut the ride a little shorter than I had originally planned. Instead of adding the Kouterbos and Heverlee Bos perimeters I stayed into Meerdael Forest, grazing Nethen and Sint Joris Weert before returning alongside the Weertse Dreef and the outskirts of Vaalbeek. The air tasted of dust, probably caused by the smog alert that has been initiated since yesterday. The northeasterly wind brings along some very fine dust particles from the German Ruhr area and beyond. Not very healthy but I didn't ride fast enough to cause heavy breathing. Instead I focussed on a relaxed tempo just enough to break a sweat under my Gore Tex clothing.

Ride Stats : 24K and 230/250 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h25mins

795/8500

08-02-2010, 17:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Looking to do another easy recovery ride today I set out towards Heverlee and Egenhoven. From there I  took the valley towards Vossem and onwards to the Parc of Tervuren. It was hazy and cold but there was no wind. There were a lot of people wandering through the Parc of Tervuren; some walking, some on a bike, rollerskates and even on horseback. Avoiding all these obstacles I paused briefly to take a picture of a painting depicting the Parc behind it. Nice effect, I wish I had more time to to something more with that setup. Will have to wait until the next time I'm passing at that spot.

From Tervuren I rode on towards Duisburg and Eizer. Taking the 18% climb there to get on the crest overlooking Huldenberg. From Huldenberg another long climb and descent taking me towards Sint Agatha Rode.  From there I rode towards Sint Joris Weert and chose the Weertse Dreef to return home.

Ride Stats : 47.5K and 320/380 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h17mins

771/8250

07-02-2010, 14:10 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Hi there girls and boys, the wolf is back after a week recovering from some nasty beastie that settled in his stomach last friday. Over the weekend it was snowing and I couldn't do much more than looking outside and try not to think about food. After that I just wanted to give my body time to strengthen itself. The weather was either snow or rain so I didn't miss much action anyway.
But this morning saw dry and clement weather, with a hesitant sun trying to warm me up when I rode out. I decided on an easy road ride. The offroad was still very muddy and strenght-sapping. So I rode along a big loop incorporating Bierbeek, Opvelp, Meldert and then riding towards Hauthem and Hoegaarden.

Overlooking Hoegaarden I felt the warm sun on my face before dropping down towards the river Grande Gette (or Grote Gete) I followed the Ravel alongside it towards Sainte Marie Geest. To my right and passing through Saint Remy Geest and Melin I reached the N240 which I followed towards the N91 and then took that road towards Hamme Mille . From here I continued home along the N25. I still didn't feel very strong but I managed to ride a flat rhythm and keep my heartrate low. Hopefully next week will see the offroad dry out a bit so that I can tackle some more challenging rides there.

Ride Stats : 45.5K and 310/360 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h12mins

723/7870

06-02-2010, 13:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Took a day off from work today hoping to get a long ride in. The forecast called for temperatures around freezing point and some winter showers. When I rode out through Meerdael forest towards Grez Doiceau it was 2 degrees C and the skies were menacing but it was dry. My plan was to do the O2 Bikers roadbook that starts next to the church in Grez Doiceau. In Meerdael forest the trails were almost dry and there was some powdery snow lying here and there. So far so good.
When I was climbing up towards Bossut it started to rain however. I quickly noticed that it simply wasn't cold enough for the roads to be frozen. So the top soil was a slippery kind of muddy soap. I was wondering at this point if I should go through with my planned ride. The bike was already covered in mud and it wouldn't get any better.
But when I arrived in Grez I started on the roadbook , I would see how things went , if in need I could always abort the ride and head home. I left out a very muddy bit coming out of Grez opting for tarmac instead. When I disappeared into the forest it had stopped raining. I stopped to whipe my glasses clear of the disturbing little droplets. I needed to see where I was going. The trails were treacherous. Here and there it was muddy, at other places the ground was still frozen and solid. Tracks conditions were constantly changing. As long as i was climbing or descending it wasn't so bad. But on level ground the water would remain standing on the frozen underground, making for a very slippery and loose clay that would cover me and the bike even going at very low speeds. But I continued along the trail. Near Dion I left out another difficult section taking a long climb on a road instead. A dobermann was taxing me as I rode by. It was walking loose - laws seem to be different on the other side of the language border - and I was trying to think what I would do if it decided to have a go at me. But the dog lost interest pretty soon and I paddled along. Down towards Bonlez where I left out a little section along the river Train. This is muddy even in summer so I wasn't really interested to find out how it would be today.

Another precipitation, this time hail or light snow. The roads got a bit whiter, but remained soft and slippery. At some points I had to be careful because some of the puddles were iced and sometimes the ice was thick enough not to break making my wheels slip. Also the sections on cobbles were interesting. Good for the technique and I rode along. When I neared Heze I came to another patch of field roads that were very - VERY - muddy. I already decided to skip a section descending into a muddy valley where I had passed a couple of times before last year, and had to walk because of the deep ruts and tracks made by forestry machinery. I followed a parallel road that would lead me nicely towards Pietrebais. But the road was very bad, and it took a while before I was in Pietrebais. Then the next section announced itself. A little track along the river Pietrebais and then a nice climb up towards the fields again. Down towards Cocrou and then further along towards Gottechain. I added an extra climb and tricky descent before making my way towards Grez again, closing the loop. It had started to rain again, and the last 12K riding from Grez back home, I tried to stay on tarmac as much as possible. When I got home I gave the bike a good rincing. In all I had a good ride. I was pleased that I had persisted and rode the loop instead of cutting short and riding home. It was a pity it wasn't 3 or 4 degrees colder, the trails were very muddy today making the ride tougher than I wanted it to be. Still, with an average heartrate of 127bpm I didn't strain myself unnecessary, making this a good solid long slow distance ride. Just the kind of ride I needed.

Ride Stats : 58K and 730/830 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h52mins

678/7510

Today the temperature was dropping again, a new cold period is announced with maybe some snow in the second part of the week. When I rode out there was a bit of mist rolling in and it wasn't very warm either. Dusk was upon me and the temperature was 0 degrees C . I was glad there was not a lot of wind. I decided on a forest ride, having to check out one more spot where I might have lost my rear light.

The forest was still a bit moist from yesterdays drizzle but all together it was fun to ride. I rode very relaxed, taking a little break from time to time just to enjoy the silence and the distant noises of birds and other animals getting ready for the night. I included a couple of little tracks passing next to a dense section of pine trees. Whilst riding very slowly I had a look around . Still looking for Gilbert Peels, who didn't return from a forest walk 2 weeks ago. But those patches are so dense one would have to walk up and down to cover and check all the dark recesses and hideaways under the trees.

Crossing the Naamsesteenweg at the Warande I passed this little lake and then rode towards the Nethen edge of the forest and further towards Sint Joris Weert and the Kluis.
I then returned riding through the Heverlee bos for a little stretch, still riding a very cool tempo, enjoying the ride to the fullest.
When I got home and looked more closely to the rear light holder, I noticed that I didn't just lose the little rear light , it just broke off. So it might have happened just about everywhere. It breaking off is more than probably due to one or more big bumps sustained during a downhill or something like that. Anyway, I cannot use it anymore even if I should ever find it. So I will get me another Knog light and put that on the back of my Giro helmet (having already one of those little marvels on my Specialized helmet).


Ride Stats : 31K and 350/410 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h9mins. O degrees C average temp.

620/6680 

25-01-2010, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

It was still dry and not too cold this morning. Great, so I could try to ride in the forest. I wanted to re-ride my january 6th ride in the idle hope of stumbling on the red tail light I lost in the snow during that ride. With the Edge 705 its very easy to re-ride any of the rides in its history so i was quickly out and about. The forest was moist but not overly wet, a single patch of mud and some water on a track notwithstanding. Traction was good but I nearly went on the ground when at one point my front wheel skidded away on a piece of wood I didn't see. Granted, I was riding next to the official track at that time, and on top of a hollow road to boot. I nearly fell into the hollow road but luckily I managed to control myself and the bike just in time. From that moment on I was a bit more concentrated.

Still no sign of the missing person , Gilbert Peels, but I did look around as much as possible. I was also looking for concentrations of birds, a sure giveaway when a dead body is lying somewhere. A bit grim to say something like that, I know, but it is hardly realistic that someone who went missing on january 5th and fell in the forest in minus 5-10 degrees temperatures, might still be alive today. Obviously there is also the possibility that he has simply disappeared and is still alive somewhere. Either way, I hope for his family and friends that some sign of him is picked up soon. It must be a hard ordeal to go through. The not knowing must be awful.

The ride went fine, the forest was clear and bright even though the light was not great. Managed to take some pictures and also looked around at several places for my little light. But, as Gilbert, it was nowhere to be found. There is still one spot where it could be, a secret spot not far from the Dikke Eik. I went there on january 6th but didn't go there today. When I type this it has started to rain very lightly. Lets hope it clears out so that I can do another ride tomorrow.

Ride Stats : 22.5K and 260/290 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h39min

589/6270

Dusk set in and I rode out for a ride that would turn out a little different than I had first anticipated. I always have an idea where I want to ride to, before I ride out. But sometimes I change directions during the ride itself. This evening was one of those moments. The weather was great, no wind, a temperature around 2 degrees C and a clear sky with a small crescent moon on the rise. The weekend weather forecast looked a bit uncertain so I agreed to do a longer ride instead of the quick 30K I had originally in mind.
Setting out towards the Zoete Waters I rode to Sint Joris Weert and from then turned to Nethen and Pecrot. From Pecrot I rode to Archennes and onwards over Grez Doiceau to Cocrou. Riding on the road to Pietrebais was like riding into a pitch black tunnel. All was quiet except for a dog that jumped at me from one of the houses I passed. I howled at it and it let go, turning back into its safe haven. Now and then a car passed me or crossed me. From Pietrebais I rode towards the 1St Wing entrance in La Bruyere. I felt good and decided to add another loop taking me to Meldert and from there over Opvelp to Bierbeek. I passed a biker who had no front light and he struggled to keep up with me, taking advantage of my bright Lumicycle Led 3 system. In Bierbeek we took different turns and I set out on my own again along the E40 to reach Haasrode and then over the Slagbaan to Blanden. I really felt good and did a fine 2h30 of riding. If the weather turns out good tomorrow I'll see about doing another ride. If not I already have a good one under my belt today. My pace was brisk possibly due to the low amount of heightmeters and the fact that I opted for the long climbs instead of the short steep ones .

Ride Stats : 54K and 400/450 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h27mins

566/5980

22-01-2010, 23:03 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This evening I wanted to check out the shortest way to Duisburg, so I set out with the Hilset riding through the Weertse Dreef, into Sint Joris Weert and then up the smeysberg ridge. Dropping into and riding out of Huldenberg, passing the Ganspoel and then up another ridge to make it to Duisburg. From there I rode towards Eizer where I took the direction of Overijse. Taking to the left on a small earthen road I rode around a bit aimlessly until I found a connection to Overijse. From here I rode in the direction of Wavre, down into Tombeek and the up again and towards Terlanen. Here I took a right for the long climb towards Ottenburg. From Ottenburg it went towards Archennes and Pecrot where I added another couple of climbs to my daily konto. From Pecrot towards Nethen and then towards Sint Joris Weert and the Zoete Waters I managed to include a couple more climbs. So I wasn't really surprised when I noticed I totalled more than 600 heightmeters. The weather was calm and dry and with an average temperature of 3 degrees C quite enjoyable.

Ride Stats : 57K and 615/660 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h46mins

513/5530

20-01-2010, 19:37 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

No big tour today, I settled for a medium distance ride on the road, just relaxing a bit and recuperating from the weekend rides. My tour took me along Haasrode, Bierbeek, Opvelp, Beauvechain and then through Tourinnes and Hamme Mille towards Nethen and Sint Joris Weert. Finishing the lap over the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek. The roads were dry, there was an easy breeze blowing from the west and the average temperature was 5 degrees C.

Ride Stats : 32.5K and 185/220 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h29mins

456/4870

18-01-2010, 14:51 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After last nights' rainfall the snow was mostly gone this morning. It was still raining though so I waited until 11am to ride out. The sun was coming through and the landscape looked like it was new. I compared it with the healthy blush a person has when having done a sauna. Almost reborn, the brown and green colors looking good after the days in white. I settled on a long road ride since I knew the offroad would be wet and muddy. With the top layer holding the water because deeper down the frost wouldn't let it through. We'll see how things develop next week. It can either go back to freezing or defrost further. I hope it dries out quickly, thats all.

My ride took me towards Nethen and Pecrot, and then to Archennes and Ottenburg. I didn't ride around the climbs, but went looking for them, attacking them with low gearing and high rpms, just trying to relax during the climbing. From Ottenburg I rode towards Wavre and then down into Tombeek. Back up on the other side making my way towards Overijse and Huldenberg. Here I couldn't resist tackling the Smeysberg - twice. Once on the long and steady climb along the road exiting Huldenberg, then back down the Smeysberg road - 65kph max here ! - before climbing back towards the crest along the much smaller Kleinwaverstraat. I then dropped down towards the road to Neerijse, followed that to Neerijse where I rode along the N253 in the direction of Leuven. Obviously I did another climb along the J.Vranckx straat towards the Langerode veld. I then rode back on the crest towards the Blokkenstraat which I followed back down to the N253 again. Then into Egenhoven and along the Arenberg campus towards Heverlee and further on to Blanden. A good ride, with a nice average temperature of 7 degrees C and notwithstanding a rather strong wind blowing from the west I did enjoy it very well. The push of the wind in my back on the final stretches from Leefdaal towards Egenhoven and Heverlee is one of those rare joys only bikers get to experience.

Ride Stats : 61K and 590/650 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h54mins

423/4650

17-01-2010, 17:46 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf