The night saw a lot of rain and a strong northwesterly wind. When the morning came things cleared out and it looked good for a ride. I put some 2.25 inch Big Jims on Mavic Crossmax I (in the rear )  and II (at the front) wheels and also put an XTR 12-34 cassette in the back. My idea was to ride into Mollendaalbos and check out the state of the trails. Well, I knew pretty soon what the state was.

Except for the bigger forest roads the tracks were a mess. Mud and a lot of water on my favorite singletrails. So I decided to leave the forest and concentrate on riding the open fields. The wind was still blowing hard but for now I was safe. I set towards the east and things rolled well. Here and there I had to negociate big puddles and at one place a real mudhole. Arriving near Hoegaarden I decided this was as far east as I would go today so I turned towards Sint Katelijne Hautem for a passage of the 2 chapels. When I rode west it became obvious that the ride back would be a challenge. The wind was indeed still blowing hard and when I worked my way towards Kumtich and Willebringen I tried to take advantage of every nook and cranny in the terrain to recuperate from the icy hand that was pushing in my face. Mind you, the temperature wasn't that bad, with 7 degrees C on average but the windchill was a major factor on the ride back home. When I arrived in Bierbeek I only had 6K to go and things were looking brighter. But it wasn't until I was nearly home that I could turn left and escape the wind.
Nevertheless I had a good ride, with a nice distance. I need to clean the Hilset because every creaks and crunches. The chain is as dry as sand and the gears are grinding. The battering of the mud followed by a long passage on dry roads dried out my drivetrain very effectively.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 50.5K and 650 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h30mins

13070/115220

24-12-2011, 16:34 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Got home late from work but because the temperature was still up near 10 degrees and it was dry I decided to ride out with the Hilset. In the beginning I had some light drizzle as I rode towards Bierbeek, Meldert and then turned towards La Bruyere. Unfortunately, the wind was still very notice-able but it was warm and rather pleasant out there. From La Bruyere I rode onwards towards Pietrebais. Cocrou was next and when I rode though Grez I decided I wanted to do some more kilometers than I started out to do. So I rode into Archennes, Florival and then took a left for the climb to Ottenburg. When I arrived in Ottenburg I could at last enjoy the wind in my back. Blazing towards Sint Agatha Rode and then into Sint Joris Weert. I finished off over the Zoete Waters, Vaalbeek and then did another loop following the Naamsesteenweg to La Chasse and then bacl into Blanden.
I had a great time in the darkness , the clement temperatures and mostly dry conditions made me enjoy being out there this evening.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 60.5K and 420/455 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h51mins

13020/114570

23-12-2011, 21:26 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Dry and relatively warm when I rode out. I rode towards Grez-Doiceau to enter my Competition Licence request chez the Club Presidente. Another year coming up and I want a UCI licence in order to be insured and also to be able to enter races should I feel the need to do so.  Passing through Nethen, Pecrot and Archennes on my way I decided to do a bigger loop than I initially set out for. The conditions were good and I felt OK. Riding from Pietrebais towards La Bruyere I could feel a couple of raindrops falling and before long it was raining mildly. Fortunately after I passed La Bruyere the rain stopped. Into L'Ecluse and then onwards to Meldert, Opvelp and Bierbeek. From Bierbeek I rode towards the Haasrode Industrie and there it started raining again, this time a bit harder than before. But I was almost home and the last bit against the wind was the toughest part of the ride. Into Blanden and then the rain subsided again so I arrived home in the dry.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 60.5K and 395/455 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h53mins

12959/114115

20-12-2011, 20:33 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Temperature was a mild 4 degrees C when I set out for a short loop. Starting along the Naamsesteenweg I rode to Hamme Mille. There I took a left in the direction of Tourinnes and rode on to Beauvechain. The wind was blowing in my back - more or less - and even though it was cold it was still dry. Turning left again and riding through Opvelp towards Neervelp I could see the occasional snow drop passing through my lightbeam.  Another left turn and whilst I was riding along the E40 towards Bremt and further on towards Haasrode Industrie it started snowing. The wind was in my face as I set towards Blanden and the cold snow dropped the temperature to around 1 degree C. I feared the roads would become icy but I was lucky, they became wet but I did not feel any wheel slippage. The last stretch home led me along the Prosperdreef and the Diewegstraat towards the edge of Meerdael Forest.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 32K and 205/245 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h37mins

12899/113660 

19-12-2011, 19:49 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw very variable weather. From time to time it cleared out and at other times snow flurries scoured the land. The temperature was just above freezing when I rode out, well-clad in several layers of thermal clothing topped off with a Gore-Tex jacket. My feet were warm in a double layer of Assos stockings and my hands were also protected by 2 layers of gloves. I was Pre-Pa-Red.
I set out towards Heverlee and Egenhoven, watching the clouds move hurriedly across the horizon. It snowed lightly when I left but before long the snow became wet and cold rain before petering out. Optimistically I set towards Bertem and followed the N3 until I took a left towards Leefdaal. From Leefdaal I climbed up on the plateau and from there I could see a dark cloud with snow veils beneath it moving parallel to me. To my right another cloud was threatening with a promise of snow. I decided to take a right and follow the Sint Jansberg Steenweg towards Huldenberg and until I reached Overijse, all went well. Climbing out of Overijse along the N4 towards Wavre I noticed the cloud had almost reached me. Soon I would get my come-uppance. And indeed, when I rode into Ottenburg the snow came, cold and with gusts of wind from my left which made it colder still. Only one thing to do. Grin and bear it. I clenched my teeth and rode towards Sint Agatha Rode. Good thing I mounted my fenders yesterday, even with them I could still feel my legs getting sprayed by the wheels. And that spray was cold. 
Into Sint Joris Weert and I could see the cloud was disappearing, and some lighter skies were upon me. From the moment the wet snow stopped I felt warmer and this gave me a new impetus to add another loop over the Zoete Waters instead of taking the Weertse Dreef which is a little shorter. Also, when I reached the Zoete Waters and turned towards Vaalbeek, the wind at last was blowing in my back. A glorious moment I can tell you. Just another little loop towards the Sapellenbos and I was home. 
A couple of reminders to myself. Next time when there is rain or snow forecast, wear the sealskinz socks and the waterproof Pearl Izumi  Amfib tights. Keeping that dry and comfy feeling in these kinds of conditions is half the battle won.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 57K and 410/485 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h47mins

12867/113415

18-12-2011, 14:01 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf