It had been quite a while sinceI was in Grez Doiceau for a mountain bike ride. Riding out through Meerdael Forest towards Nethen and then over Archennes into Grez I started along some of the Accro Bike trails. Avoiding the really steep and/or tricky ones, I was able to get in quite a workout along some of the longer climbs and descents. Into and out of Chaumont Gistoux forests I made my way to Dion Valmont and the outskirts of Wavre. The weather was great, sunshine and a light breeze and superb trail conditions made this a ride to remember. I was moved because a year ago I thought I would never ride these trails again. Never Say Never, Never Say Die !

04-10-2015, 14:54 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A fine day with the sun full out. When I arrived home I set out for a ride with the Moots YBB. The temperature was around 17 degrees C but was dropping rapidly as I rode along the forest edge towards Bierbeek and then into the fields of Beauvechain in the direction of Meldert. Passing near the Ferme de Wahenge and then back to La Bruyere. IThe sun was starting to set and I hasted along the petite chapelle de Nodebais. Into the forest was no longer an option so I took the Naamsesteenweg to arrive in darkness in Blanden. Had a good ride and the constant race against the setting sun prompted me to maintain a high pace.

02-10-2015, 20:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather has been dry, sunny and windy for the last 4 days so I decided to take the Merlin out for a forest ride. The trails were perfect and I set out through Heverlee Forest towards Oud-Heverlee before looping back into Meerdael forest over Heverlee and Haasrode, taking a couple of small trails whenever possible. The pace was high and the bike performed flawlessly, as ever.

Ride Stats : 29K and 300 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h15mins

4102/31505

30-09-2015, 19:17 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

My plan was to ride to Grez today, but when I rode out it was cold and rainy and when I arrived in Bossut I decided to take another direction. Starting around 10AM when the clouds were dissipating and left a wet and cold morning. I passed by the Falcon statue in Blanden where artist Ad Wouters was working on the statue. I had a little chat with him before riding on towards the Prosperdreef. Through Meerdael forest I arrived in Nethen and then took the direction of Bossut. The cobbles were wet and slippery and there were big puddles on the flat field roads. I veered towards Nodebais and Tourinnes and then over the plateau towards Meldert. Into Bierbeek where I rejoined Meerdael Forest for a last stretch until I reached Blanden again. When I arrived home the sun was coming through the clouds and temperatures started to rise.

26-09-2015, 13:03 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Good weather today, no rain and a mild temperature and some sun. Coming home from work I took the Moots YBB out for a spin. Into Meerdael Forest for a loop that led me to Sint Joris Weert. I then rode to La Hetraie and Nethen where I took the long offroad climb towards the plateau above Pecrot. It had been a while since I did the railway singletrack so I did that, followed by a long and steep uphill. Had to stop due to a branch that got stuck in my XTR derailler. Onwards to La Malaise and then over the plateau to Bossut and down into Nethen again. Steep climb towards Meerdael Forest followed by a last loop through the forest that led me back into Blanden. The legs were surprisingly good and I felt strong throughout the ride, that comprised some nifty climbs.

21-09-2015, 19:55 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

20-09-2015, 12:19 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Grey weather when I started around 9Am with the Moots YBB. Into Meerdael Forest along moist but not wet trails. Riding towards the Zoete Waters and then into Heverlee Forest along big forest roads. Towards Egenhoven and then onwards on the plateau above Leefdaal to reach Duisburg and Tervuren. Into the Sonian forest for a small section before reaching Eizer. Up the dreaded Horenberg and then down towards Huldenberg. Following the river Ijse for a while until I reached Neerijse. Here I left the Ijse and turned towards the Dyle, and Korbeek-Dyle. Into Meerdael forest again for a last stretch before reaching Blanden again. Good ride, I did not feel too well when I started but gradually my legs showed more strength and the pace was moderate throughout the ride.

19-09-2015, 12:51 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather forecast called for rain but it was dry when I rode out around 9AM with the Moots YBB. I had a plan to ride along the green bloso until I reached the Zavelstraat. Then I rode along the Ijsbaan down to the Geldenaaksebaan into Heverlee and Leuven. Along the Philipssite and then past the DINDIN decorated buurthuis "De Pit". Taking a couple of pictures of the mural and then I rode along the Leuvense ring and into Leuven. Past the Sint Geertrui church and the Klein Begijnhof, up the Boelenberg and then following some Green Bloso route towards and up the Mollekensberg. Making my way along the E314 towards Bertem where I rediscovered some narrow trails that led me into Egenhoven. From there I made my way into Heverlee forest and then towards Vaalbeek and ultimately Blanden. Had a good ride, legs felt fine and the weather stayed clement and perfect for this kind of ride.

12-09-2015, 11:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another ride with the Moots YBB. The weather was fine today with a temperature around 19 degrees C when I rode out into Mollendaal forest for a spin around my trails there. The trails were moist here and there and I even had to dismount once to circumvene a big puddle. But on the whole the trails were also fast . The singletrails were narrow due to the lush vegetation of the late summer season. I had a good ride and my legs felt strong and enduring.

09-09-2015, 20:35 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today I rode out with the Moots YBB. It had been in for servicing of the Chris King ISO disc hub in the rear wheel and I was curious how it would behave. At first it still felt a little hesitant, but after a while it seemed to loosen up and it also started to produce the characteristic Chris King sound. It surprised me to find out after the ride that this was my first ride with this bike in 2015.
My legs felt good and the trail conditions were excellent so I could maintain a fast speed thoughout the ride, resulting in a good average speed. The rear brake needs to be looked at as well since it has a tendency to run against the caliper, resulting in a little bit of resistance whilst riding. Nothing to worry about and therefore it is not high on my list of things to do.

07-09-2015, 20:49 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

05-09-2015, 12:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

30-08-2015, 12:45 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Sunny skies this morning and around 9AM I set out with the Vortex for a 2 hour spin. It was pretty frisky , only about 12 degrees C but when the sun touched me I warmed up quickly. I rode over Egenhoven to the Sint Jansbergsteenweg and followed that to Overijse. Climbing out of Overijse in the direction of Wavre and taking a left into Wavre Industrie towards Ottenburg. Down the shaft towards Archennes and then along the N25 towards Hamme Mille. Further on through Tourinnes and Beauvechain and then taking a left to Opvelp. From here I set towards Bierbeek and Haasrode Industrie and finished off the loop along the Expressweg into Blanden. I found it a good ride, I was able to mainatin a nice average speed despite my average heartrate being only 103bpm. . 

Ride Stats : 63K and 530 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h15mins

3727/27975

29-08-2015, 12:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I couldn't resist the call of the forest. It was dry after a rainy day and it looked like excellent conditions for a quick ride. Taking the Merlin Works 4.0 and before long I was zooming along my various Meerdael Loops. The legs felt great and it felt super to be on a mountainbike again. An average speed of almost 25 kph was the result. In a little less than a month the horseflies will be gone and I will ride more often in the forest again. Hopefully the weather will still be as clement then.

Ride Stats : 32.5K and 275 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h19mins

3664/17445

26-08-2015, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The Vortex is back from maintenance. Maintenance on the bottom bracket, new shifter cable and a re-fastening of the pedals. At first stroke it felt good, no more clicking sound in the bracket. I am always amazed at how smooth the bikes rolls. I'm sure the wheels have a lot to do with it. Custom made with Chris King hubs and Sapim CX ray spokes. Light and strong. I set out towards the Leuvense Vaart with the wind blowing in my back. Good for some personal best times on a lot of Strava segment all the way from Leuven to Mechelen. Just before reaching the Coloma I took a left turn into Zemst. Finding my way to the Tervuursesteenweg in Hofstade took some time but then I was set for a ride to the southwest. The wind was blowing slightly to my disadvantage now and it ripped between the houses. But the bikepath was wide and smooth and I could maintain good speed . Reaching Perk I had to make a detour because of workings in the town center. Again I was left on my own because I only saw one 'OMLEIDING' sign. But I found the N227 again and could continue my way towards Steenokkerzeel and Nossegem. Continuing on the road to Waterloo I reached Sterrebeek. Here I was in Wezenbeek Oppem before I spotted a sign towards the Museum in Tervuren. Taking that road I reached the Leuvensesteenweg and I was now on my way to Leuven. Taking a left into Vossem and then through Leefdaal towards Bertem. Taking a wrong turn I ended up on the Leuvensesteenweg again and I followed that into Heverlee. Into the Groenveld and under the Koning Boudewijn laan I ended up near Arenberg and from there I used my last forces along the bikepath parallel to the E40 to reach the Naamsesteenweg and follwing that into Blanden. A very solid ride and again at the end my legs felt drained and empty. But when I checked my average speed it turned out to be more than 28kph. Not bad if you consider my average heartrate was only 101bpm. . 

Ride Stats : 82K and 440 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h54mins

3631/27170

23-08-2015, 12:18 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

19-08-2015, 20:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

16-08-2015, 13:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

12-08-2015, 20:50 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf