Started out in an outside temperature of -3 degrees and I went for a ride into the snowy forest. I had devised a lap in my head that consisted of ride north to south in parallel lanes which meant taking in a couple of climbs but also some singletracks. The forest trails were still snowed under but here and there you could see the forest floor coming through. The moon was nearing the ides of february and shone through the trees, illuminating the trails in a eery yellow light. The sun disappeared beyond the horizon in a blaze of red. It looked to be slippery here and there but as far as I could feel it wasn't. The only trouble in the fading light was the ruts and trying not to get caught into one. Letting the bike ride over them, keeping the weight to the rear and the momentum up is the big trick. I had the feeling I was close to having a wheel blocked a couple of times but letting go of the brakes did the trick. The ride was a good one and when I rode out of the forest near the end I could feel the cold falling on me from the starred sky. When I arrived home I noticed the temperature had indeed dropped to -9 degrees C.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 22K and 285 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h21mins

968/8860

06-02-2012, 19:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw a temperature that was a little warmer than yesterday. With only -6 degrees C on average the cold already stung a lot less during my ride. I decided for another snow ride in Mollendaal and Meerdael Forest. The trails were great and the snow was as dry as sand. I ventured into the plains of Mille and Valduc and the sun was feeling warm on the sparse skin that was exposed. I did a lot of twisting and turning and after an hour or two I decided to call it a day and head home.

There were a lot of mountainbikers in the forest - judging by the tracks and also crossing them along the way . Since I rode alone I tried some smaller tracks, most were OK and I only had to watch it in the downhills, with the frozen ruts being the major danger. I mainly stayed in Mollendaalbos today, only venturing over the Naamsesteenweg for a brief loop taking me past the Warande Pond and then up towards La Trace and back down to cross the Naamsesteenweg again at the Naamse Delle. 

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 36K and 555 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h13mins

945/8575

05-02-2012, 14:31 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Minus 15 degrees C this morning. Brr. I waited until noon to ride out. I had Johan H. coming over and join me on a ride in Meerdael Forest. Yesterday in the afternoon it had snowed lightly for a couple of hours which did 2 things : send the traffic in Belgium in a major traffic jam and provide us with a beautiful dry snowy landscape. About 5-6 centimeters of the white stuff was waiting for us this morning.
Well dressed and in an average temperature of -9 degrees C we completed a ride that would lead us through the forest and into the fields of Hamme Mille and Valduc. The snow was of the dry kind, it did not stick at all and was very easy to ride through. Care had to be taken of course because of the frozen ruts beneath it. When we arrived in the fields there was an icy cold fog hanging over them. Fog that froze and added to the cristalline snow already on the trees. Beautiful.

04-02-2012, 17:06 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Temperature dropped to -8 degrees C tonight and this morning saw a blistering cold easterly wind add to the ambient temperature. It made sense to ride in the forest to avoid the wind as much as possible. I waited until 10AM before riding out for a twisting ride. I had my new Flite saddle on the Obed and it immediately felt better than the old one which was worn to the point of sagging.
It was -6 on average during my ride and from times to times I could feel the cold wind making it feel even colder. The bits with the wind in my back and the sun on my face felt glorious though.

01-02-2012, 13:20 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw - at last - the start of something that looked like Winter. It was around 0 degrees C and it had been snowing lightly all day. I rode out into the forest but I knew it was not nearly cold enough to dry out the trails. I kept to the bigger lanes and even there the sounds coming from the contact of my wheels with the forest floor were mushy instead of wheezy. The light snow kept me company throughout the ride and with an air temperature of -1 degree C it was not too cold. Hopefully the temperatures will drop during the next couple of days so that the trails will freez-dry. For now I contented myself with a relaxed ride in the darkening forest. When I got home I cleaned my bike but noticed it was frozen over. Still I managed to get the chain clean. The cranks are developing a little play, it is time to look for new bearings.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 27K and 255 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h21mins30secs

859/7400

30-01-2012, 19:18 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw the entry of the Winter King. The wind was blowing from the northwest and it was icy. Temperature was down to 0 degrees C when I left around noon for another issue of my little lap. Same lap as yesterday but this time I had the Marathon Supreme tyres under my Hilset. They gave me less resistance but I did not ride faster than yesterday. This might have a lot of reasons, I had the feeling I was riding as fast as yesterday but the clock doesn't lie obviously. Not that it matters, I also was a little more tired than yesterday.
Belgium had its first women on the podium of a Cyclocross World Championship this morning, congratulations to Sanne Cant !

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 25K and 220 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h06mins

831/7145

29-01-2012, 14:03 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The Hilset Big Bad Wolf is back. Filip put on a new 32tooth XTR M960 chainring and changed the shifting cables as well. I left the big Big Jim tyres on and with a 12/34 XTR cassette I was well geared for the hills. I decided to do the exact same ride than yesterday. Just past Bierbeek my chain fell off, looked like the KMC lock had come off. I put on an old SRAM lock and rode onwards. The weather was great, a little bit of sun, less wind and an average temperature of 6 degrees C made this an enjoyable ride. The pace was a bit quicker than yesterday.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 25K and 210 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h02mins

806/6925

28-01-2012, 13:58 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

With the Hilset being at Filip Sport for the necessary repairs I still had to take the Obed for a road ride. Today saw the return of the sun after a couple of grey dull drizzle days. I settled for a quick lap starting over Bierbeek and Opvelp and making my way through Beauvechain, Tourinnes-la-Grosse and Nodebais before closing through Hamme Mille and along the Naamsesteenweg back into Blanden. The legs felt good and the ride was refreshing and suitably short.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 25K and 205 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h07mins

781/6715

27-01-2012, 17:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw brighter skies with the sun peeping through the clouds and no rain since last night. The wind was also a bit subdued but still noticeable. I had a day off from work so decided on a longer ride. Starting out over Bierbeek, Meldert and then onwards to Hoegaarden. Down the cobbles and then making my way onto the Ravel for a couple of kilometers before taking a sharp right turn towards Saint Remy Geest. Nice power interval training on the steep climb up to the church and the cobbles didn't make it any easier. More cobbles still on my way to Melin. The sun was shining now and the bright colors made the wind feel less annoying. On the plateau it was blowing in my face but before long I could hide into the valley of the Pietrebais. Had a little stop for a snack next to the Eglise Saint Laurent and took some pictures while I was there.

Onwards to Cocrou and Grez and then crossing over into Archennes and Florival. Avoiding the steep climb out of Pecrot I took a left towards Sint Agatha Rode instead. From here I rode to Neerijse and then followed the N253 all the way to Egenhoven. Turning right into the Gaston Geens laan and then past Arenberg for a right turn again that would take me into Oud-Heverlee. The Zoete Waters were next and before long I was into Vaalbeek and Blanden, completing a good solid LSD ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 75.5K and 610 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h28mins

756/6510

23-01-2012, 15:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday it was wet and windy and I decided to do a long walk instead of taking a bike out. I did a fine and muddy loop in Meerdael Forest. I came upon a relatively new sculpture by the hands of Ad Wouters. This is a collection of 2 sets of giant mushrooms situated on top of the Hercules Salon, not far from Nethen and the Kluis.

I had a fine workout with 12.6km in 2h10 and was curious how my legs would feel today.

This morning saw me taking the Obed, with the road wheels of the Hilset, for an easy ride . Or at least, that was the plan. There was quite a bit of wind blowing from the west and this would bother me during the first half of the ride. I rode to Egenhoven and then followed the Sint Jansberg Steenweg all the way to Overijse . Even a little bit further as I climbed up towards Maleizen, taking a left and descending along the Bergstraat into Tombeek. Now the wind was blowing in my favor and it felt good to be pushed gently forward. From Tombeek to Terlanen and then up to Ottenburg. From Ottenburg it was mainly downhill again into Sint Agatha Rode and Sint Joris Weert. From Weert to the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek and I was nearly home. The average temperature was 6 degrees C during this ride but it felt colder due to the wind and the occasional raindrops .

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 52.5K and 435 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h26mins

680/5900

22-01-2012, 13:01 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf