Time to wake up Mr Merlin from his long winter sleep. It has been in fact over 2 years ago since it has ridden. On March the 21st of 2012 to be exact. I had to check the pressure in the suspension and the rear tyre needed an inner tyre because the NoTubes fluid had long ago evaporated.
Riding out on this bike shows exactly what a full suspension bike does for comfort and speed. I passe Roger L. on the climb out of the Zoete Waters. He was fiddling with his saddle height so I let him do that and then we rode on together; It had been a while since we met and we had lots to talk about. While we were doing that the perfect offroad trails passed under out wheels. We crossed Geert B. but he looked to be miles away. I'm sure he did not recognize either of us. Or at least his reaction did not surmise that he did.

We did an alternative uphill after passing the Kluis and also a much more exiting downhill towards the Savenel wall. NEa the end I added an extra loop to make sure I had an hours' worth of riding. Roger already had a lot more kilometers so when we shook hands I believe we were both very pleased with the ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 25.5K and 285 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h14mins

1970/2160

20-04-2014, 13:42 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday I did a session of Nancy Farzans' core and pilates exercises. I received my foam roller and ankle bands and could do all the exercises. The foam roller in particular is a very painful experience. I looked at a video showing its use for the complete body and did some more exercises for my legs and buttocks this morning.
In the afternoon I took the Moots YBB out for a quick spin along the Red Meerdael BLOSO route. The trails were bone-dry and hard and there was a mean wind blowing from the north. Intermittent sunshine made it more or less bearable but I still wore long sleeves and a windstopper.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 23K and 285 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h05mins

1945/1875

18-04-2014, 16:06 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather remains dry and sunny and today I was home early from work and decided to take the Moots YBB out on the Green Meerdael BLOSO route. The route has been altered in the vicinity of the E40 and I followed the new trace along the E40 to the tunnel underneath it. Afterwards the trail was very well known and at some points I decided to take the bigger trails instead of the singletracks to avoid having to move too much on the bike. I tried concentrating on tensing my abdominal muscles during the climbs and succeeded rather well in doing so.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 27.5K and 240 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h15mins

1922/1590

16-04-2014, 16:45 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for the Moots YBB. I pumped 2 bars of pressure in the front and rear tyre and set out for a ride into Meerdael Forest. I quickly learned that I needed to adjust a few things. A couple of tenths of a bar lower pressure in the front would suit me better. In the rear as well but maybe I will change the Rocket Ron for a bigger volume Racing Ralph as well. The rear disc brake also seems to be slightly too tight, causing the pads to have permanent contact with the disc, which tends to slow things down a bit.

Nevertheless I had a good ride, enjoying the sunny but fresh weather, with a stiff breeze from the North. After an hour and a quarter I was nearing my home again.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 27K and 320 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h17mins

1894/1350

14-04-2014, 18:59 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Last evening I had a Core Stab/Pilates one on one with Nancy Farzan. Amazing how manu muscles are weak and can be strengthened by some specific exercises.
Today I felt that session in my core but decided to ride out and take it easy to let the morning stiffness wither away. I had the ambition to do a slightly longer ride so I sat out towards the Sonian Forest. Through Meerdael and the Doode Beemde and then up the ridges of the Yse valley and in Duisburg I could enter the Sonian Forest.

12-04-2014, 13:41 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was fine and in the late afternoon I rode out for another hour of mountainbiking. Taking the Litespeed Obed again I started out in Meerdael Forest and made my way to Sint Joris Weert and the Doode Beemde. Passing the bridge where I fell two years ago and then hobbling along the trails in the nature reserve. Back into Sint Joris Weert meant climbing up to the Kluis and further onwards before I reached the Red Bloso. Overtaking another biker only to be left standing on the next climb. Hmmm, my legs are not exactly what they once were it seems. But I continued on my own rhythm and returned home along the Eleonore and Margrieten dreef, with another fine ride under my belt.

Ride Stats : 24.5K and 230 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h07mins

1832/670

10-04-2014, 19:34 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a days' rest I was ready for another mountainbike ride into Meerdael Forest . Again on the Litespeed Obed I set out along the perimeter of the forest on mostly large and easy trails. There were a little more heightmeters in todays' ride but I still was able to maintain a good speed, also given the fact that it had rained a bit yesterday and the trails weren't completely dry everywhere. But they were comfortable and my body held together.

Ride Stats : 25.5K and 240 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h09mins

1808/440

09-04-2014, 19:58 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

About time I got my ass on a bike and rode out. So I got on the Litespeed Obed and rode out into Meerdael Forest. Sticking to the big forest trails and carefully starting to see how my lower back and knees would stand up to the surprise of riding on a real bike instead of the Tacx.
Things went quite well, I could feel the knees but the rest of my body seemed pretty pleased with the tension brought on by cycling through the wind, on real tracks and with the little and big bumps of the trails trough my tyres and front suspension. I had a real good time breathing the forest air deeply into my lungs and enjoying the cool breeze and the sunshine. I settled for an hour and could maintain a very good pace, even through the end.

Ride Stats : 23K and 200 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h00mins

1782/200

07-04-2014, 18:43 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for another ride on the Tacx Satori. I finished with Stephen Kings' 'Doctor Sleep' today, so I might be looking at riding outside anytime soon. The legs felt Ok except for some pain in my knees which is due to my running sessions. I have put the running on hold for the moment, waiting for the knees to catch up.
Afterwards I did a 30 minute stretching and Core Stabilization session.

Ride Stats : 42.5K in 01h01mins

1759/0

02-04-2014, 19:19 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

31-03-2014, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Did another 4K forest run yesterday afternoon. I am having some difficulty with my inner upper shins and it looks like I need some other shoes to run. I have been using Vivo Barefoot Breathro runners because I like their line of shoes and wear them everyday. But running with such minimalist sole protection looks too difficult and puts too much strain on areas where I do not want any strain. I have ordered some Nike Flyknit Air Max shoes that should offer some more protection. Let's hope they are better for my shins.
Today I went for an hour on the Tacx Satori. Temperatures outside are going over 20 degrees C today but I want to finish Stephen Kings' 'Doctor Sleep' so I got on the Tacx and pedalled away while the adventures unfolded themselves. I had a good ride and my shins do not bother me whilst riding a bike so I feel lucky about that.
Afterwards I did a 30 minute stretching and Core Stab session.

Ride Stats : 42K in 01h01mins

1674/0

30-03-2014, 13:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday I had another forest run, a little more than half an hour alternating running and walking intervals.
Today I go on the Tacx Satori for another hour of recovery. The legs were feeling good, notwithstanding the fact that the muscles used in the running were still hurting. But running and cycling muscles are not the same, so both sports are quite complimentary as far as the legs are concerned.

Ride Stats : 42.5K in 01h01mins

1632/0

28-03-2014, 19:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday I did the first of a series of workouts programmed on Endomondo. The goal is to be able to run a 10K distance by June the 1st. This first workout was a 29 minute affair alternating running and walking minutes. I did a total of 4K in the forest.
Today I settled for an hour on the Tacx Satori, trying to cycle the muscle soreness away. Did a good job at it and afterwards a stretching and Core Stab session completed a good workout session. I was reading Dr Sleep and being captivated by it as the story unfolds, in a typical Stephen King way. You know - or he makes you believe you know - where it leads to, but he always manages to surprise you along the way .

Ride Stats : 42K in 01h01mins

1590/0

26-03-2014, 18:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

My legs, knees and ankles were seriously hurting from yesterdays' 3K forest run, but during the day the pain lessened and I was glad I could get on the Tacx Satori to ride and flush the pain out of the muscles and tendons. I rode at a low resistance, focussing on making circles and helping to recover the muscles.

Ride Stats : 43K in 01h01mins

1548/0

24-03-2014, 18:46 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for an hour on the Tacx Satori rollers. Outside the temperatures plunged to 10 degrees C and March showers were parading along the skies, dropping rain.
The ride went well, my legs are strong and I can easily maintain speeds over 40kph with the Tacx Satoris' resistance on level one.

Ride Stats : 44K in 01h01mins

1505/0

22-03-2014, 12:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After getting a haircut I went on the Tacx Satori for an hour of fast riding. Low resistance but high speed whilst listening to the Sisters of Mercy and reading Stephen Kings' Dr.Sleep.

Ride Stats : 43.5K in 01h01mins

1461/0

20-03-2014, 21:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I had a 5K walk at work around noon and I felt like ride a bike when I got home early from work. I decided on a leisurely 30 minute ride on the Tacx Satori but my legs propelled me to an average pace of almost 44kph. A good hot bath afterwards took care of my aching muscles and lower back. At least for a while.

Ride Stats : 23K in 00h31mins

1418/0

19-03-2014, 17:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I had a good walk at work at noon and coming home I went for a ride on the Tacx Satori. Legs felt fine although my lower back was sending some pain signals earlier today. I could maintain a high pace over the hours' ride. Afterwards I did a Core Stabilization and stretching session.

Ride Stats : 44.5K in 01h01mins

1395/0

18-03-2014, 19:31 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I had a 3K forest run yesterday which went quite well. Alternating walking and run, I built it up to 2 min runs and 1 min walks to complete the 3K in just under 19 minutes. Today my legs were sore and my hamstrings felt overtight but that did not bother me during my 1h Tacx Satori ride. The ride went well and I enjoyed the Sisters Of Mercy whilst plunging deeper into Dr.Sleep.

Ride Stats : 41.5K in 01h01mins

1351/0

16-03-2014, 12:10 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Had a good walk at work in the sunshine. When I got home I decided to ride on the Tacx for an hour. My legs felt fine and I could keep a good pace throughout the ride. Stephen Kings' Dr Sleep is developing slowly into a story that grabs my attention. Too much booze commizerations in the first chapters but he's slowly getting to the point.

Ride Stats : 42.5K in 01h01mins

1309/0

14-03-2014, 18:09 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf