29-10-2018, 20:44 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

25-10-2018, 20:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Again some nice weather and after seeing Remco Evenepoel taking his 2nd World Junio Championship title I had to ride out myself. It was already 6 PM so I knew I had to be in an hour later. Dusk already setting in fast around this time of year, even with the sun blazing and no cloud in sight. I settled for a ride through the Kouterbos and into Heverlee forest, the Merlin purring gentle on a good steady pace. My legs felt OK for this kind of pace and time. I did some singletrail as well, enjoying the twisting and turning but losing out on speed obviously

27-09-2018, 20:06 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw some nice weather with sunshine after a cold start. In the late afternoon I decided to take Mr.Merlin out for a spin through Heverleebos. Nothing fancy just a relaxing ride with a good pace. The legs felt fine but there was not a lot of strength left after 5 days in a row hiking for 15K a day. But I enjoyed the ride and made some loops in the cooling forest.

26-09-2018, 18:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another weekend, another ride. Taking the Merlin out for a spin. Starting out along the Prosperdreef into Heverlee forest, following the Green Meerdael Bloso for a while and then taking a leave from that track, incorporating some interesting trails left and right. From Oud-Heverlee I followed the Parnassusbergdreef towards the Zoete Waters. Along the Keiberg and then the Herculesdreef towards Meerdael forest. Up the steep hill and then back towards the Kleine Dreef and the marvellous little valley in the shade of the Tomberg .

09-09-2018, 12:44 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

yeehaw. thats how I felt when I took the Merlin out this evening. After a long hot summer autumn is returning and also my ability to ride in the forest again. I settled for an easy ride through Meerdael forest over Tourinnes to Nodebais and back again. The legs felt surprisingly after yesterdays' road ride and after my early morning 15K walk today. Obviously the bike was a joy. I checked the suspension and tyre pressure before the ride and gave the chain a squeeze of Ice Lube. Thats all it takes to make the bike happy. And with it, it's owner.

02-09-2018, 19:44 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

First day of the meteorological autumn today and the day announced itself cool, crisp and sunny. I took the Psychlo-X out for a spin. No set itinerary, just following my front wheel. It took me towards Egenhoven, high up overlooking the Ijse and Dyle valleys. Into Neerijse and then over Sint Agatha Rode towards Sint Joris Weert. The legs felt fine and I was finding it easy to maintain a good speed throughout the ride, keeping the heartrate low

Ride Stats : 31K and 250 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h19mins

1267/9395

01-09-2018, 11:21 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather is a lot cooler these last couple of days and today I set out early in the AM for a 50K+ ride. Riding the Moots Psychlo-X at an LSD pace I rode over Bierbeek and Neervelp towards Willebringen and Kumtich. From Hoksem to Meldert and a little loop over L'Ecluse brought me to La Bruyere and Beauvechain. Tourinnes and Nodebais were next and after that I completed my loop over Nethen, Pecrot, St Agatha Rode and Sint Joris Weert. The Zoete Waters and Vaalbek brought me back into Blanden. The legs were fine and the ride went without any troubles. The distance was just 55K which was exactly what I set out for.

Ride Stats : 55K and 470 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h22mins

1236/9145

15-08-2018, 11:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning it was cloudy and fresh so I was out at 7.30AM to profit from the coolness. I took the Psychlo-X around my usual 50K loop. Bierbeek, Opvelp, Neervelp, Meldert, La Bruyere, Beauvechain, Tourinnes, Nodebais, Hamme Mille, Nethen, Pecrot, Sint Agatha Rode , Sint Joris Weert and the Zoete Waters passed under my wheels. I was passed by Johan, an old friend whom I haven't seen for quite a while now. We rode together for a few kilometers before our roads lead us into different directions. The cool weather did me good and I was able to keep a good pace throughout the entire ride.

Ride Stats : 50K and 390 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h10mins

1181/8675

05-08-2018, 10:52 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Weather was still very warm so I started around 7.30AM to enjoy the coolness of the early morning. Around 17 degrees C and practically no wind to speak of. I rode out towards the Tiensesteenweg and followed that all the way to the Tienen ringway. Taking a right towards Hoegaarden and then taking a right again up to the Geosite Goudberg. Over Oorbeek and Kumtich to Willebringen and then through Neervelp and Bierbeek to reach the Meerdael Forest. The last couple of kilometers brought me the shade of the forest.

Ride Stats : 50K and 405 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h09mins

1131/8285

02-08-2018, 10:29 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Sun was already rising fast when I rode out at 8AM for a 50K ride that would loop me through Haasrode, Bierbeek, Neervelp, Opvelp, Meldert, La Bruyere,beauvechain and Tourinnes towards Nodebais and Hamme Mille. From here I took another loop over Nethen, Pecrot and Sint Agatha Rode to reach Sint Joris Weert and the Zoet Waters. From the Zoete Waters another stretch lead me through Vaalbeek back into Blanden. The temperature was feasable but the strong southerly winds gave me a spot of bother in the middle part of the ride. But I took it easy and relaxed and only pushed on the uphills. The rest was done on an easy long LSD pace.

Ride Stats : 50K and 430 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h09mins

1081/7880

30-07-2018, 10:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a couple of tropical days - 35 degrees C in the shade - tonight saw the arrival of cooler weather with some rain and westrly winds. I first did a 9K hike and then went out for a cycling trip on the Moots Psychlo-X. I did one of my usual laps and was glad to be able to breathe some fresh air instead of the hairdryer air of the last few days. The legs felt fine and I maintained an easy pace throughout the ride. Hopefully tomorrow morning sees the same kind of weather so that I can re-cycle.

Ride Stats : 36K and 315 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h35mins

1031/7450

28-07-2018, 12:39 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Early start for a ride that would take me along the Tiensesteenweg from Leuven to the ring around Tienen. Weather was calm and still relatively cool when I rode out. Opted for a 2 hour ride with the Moots Psychlo-X . It hasn't rained for almost 2 months now - a few drops notwithstanding - and the grass berms are becoming pale and yellow. The forecast is for yet another week of beautiful sunny weather. People can adapt but nature is suffering from the drought. From Tienen I rode towards Hoegaarden and the over Hoksem and Willebringen back to Bierbeek and the Haasrode Industrie Park. From here a straight line back home into Blanden along the Expressweg. Legs felt fine and I could maintain a good pace and keep my average heartrate under 100bpm.

Ride Stats : 49K and 420 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h06mins

995/7135

22-07-2018, 10:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Started very early today to make th emost of the morning coolness. The sun was still a bit shaded by high clouds and the re was no wind to speak of. Good conditions for a ride. I did my usual lap and could shave one minute form my best time. I stayed on a lower gear during some of the climbs to train my legs for some strength. Strength that I am seriously lacking due to the build-off from my cycling these last 4 years.

Ride Stats : 50K and 395 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h10mins

946/6715

20-07-2018, 11:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Still warm and sunny this morning. Rode out with the Moots Psychlo-X for a spin along my current PoGo Gym route. There was a breeze from the west which bothered me during the middle part of the ride. I included a loop past the Starfighter in 1St Wing Base and then back through La Bruyere which brought the distance to a nice 50K. The last part of the ride finally had me cycling with the wind in my back and this was a welcome change. The legs felt a little tired near the end but I still managed to keep my heartrate on an average of 106bpm which is of course superb.

Ride Stats : 50K and 420 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h11mins

896/6320

17-07-2018, 11:14 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Summer is here. Weather is warm but not hot - yet. There was a light breeze blowing from the east and the sun was already well out when I started my ride around 8.40AM. I followed the same route as two days ago. My legs felt a bit better now and I nly had to deal with neck and buttock pain. Getting used to a saddle and getting used to stretching the head upwards to be able to look ahead when trying to sit as low as possible frontally. But the ride went well. I paced myself on the climbs and tried to develop soem strength on the flat sections.

Ride Stats : 47K and 385 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h01mins

846/5900

15-07-2018, 11:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

My legs seemed to have recovered from my last ride so I decided to go out again. neck and shoulders remembered though and I needed to be careful not to put any strain on them during this ride. I did the PoGo Gyms tour minus the gyms. From Blanden over Haasrode, Bierbeek, Neervel, Opvelp and the to Meldert. The weather was slightly overcast and not too warm. Mild wind blowing from the north or thereabouts. In Meldert I rode towards La Bruyere, Beauvechain and then Hamme Mille where I crossed the N25 to ride into Nethen where I took a left in the direction of Pecrot. Up and down and then a right towards Sint Agatha Rode. From Rode I looped to Sint Joris Weert and then the Zoete Waters , Vaalbeek and Blanden again. 47K which representents 2 hours of riding at my current fitness level. Legs felt tired but not as tired as the last time. Good recovery now and then looking forward to another ride soon.

Ride Stats : 47K and 400 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h03mins

799/5515

12-07-2018, 11:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for some cycling! It has been more than a month now that my hiking has talen over and cycling has suffered as I was about to discover. The weather was cold and cloudy, ideally suited for a summer ride. I started out on a rout that would take me to various PoGo Gyms. Stopping there and taking control over them made this a kind of a interval ride . I took the Moots Psychlo-X to have a versatile bike that was also relatively puncture proof. I did not want any mishap to detract from my legs getting used to cycling again. After about one hour into the ride I began to feel the strength in my legs deteriorating. The wind was blowing in my face and the power I used to have has long gone. I gritted my teeth, dropped the chain on the inner chainring and did my best to keep my heartrate low. My original plan was to add another loop but I let that go and cut short the ride when I arrived in Hamme Mille. The climb out of Hamme Mille - I used to take that on the big ring 5 years ago - was a tough one but I hope to emerge stronger out of this ride. I need to devise a plan to do more cycling, and stick to that plan. I have the time now, I am on holiday. I can always go out for a hike later in the day.

Ride Stats : 37.5K and 320 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h40mins

752/5115

10-07-2018, 12:01 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A fresh morning but the sun would be out later. So I decided to leave soon and connect a few Pokemon Go gyms whilst enjoying the forest and the awakaning nature. The legs were tired from yesterdays 25K hike but I mamaged to pace myself and find a tempo that suited me.

20-05-2018, 12:29 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Warm this afternoon and seeing that I had a half day off from work I decided to do a quick ride along some Pokemon Gyms. I took the Merlin and it was a blast out there. Good trails and some cobbles and even tarmac.

15-05-2018, 16:17 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf