While my first plan was to take a days' rest today, the fact that this might very well be the last of the fine "summer" spring days for a while made me decide to ride out anyway. I decided to connect to the trail of the Philippe Van Coningsloo Memorial ride and try following it completely. Picking in on the Wolfshagen riding in the direction of Terlanen I was speeding along in the hot weather with the wind in my back. The PVC went up the Smeysberg, then down into Huldenberg and up again over the Ganspoel towards Duisburg. From Duisburg it dropped into Vossem and then followed the big road towards Leuven for a while until it turned right towards Leefdaal. There it climbed out and rode straight into Neerijse. From Neerijse it then connected to the Wolfshagen again. This was one lap.
When turning off the Tervuursesteenweg I saw a familiar biker standing by the side of the road. I recognized her as Christine Vardaros. One of the friendliest Cyclocross Pro's out there. It had been quite a while since we last met and I am pleased she recognized me too. We rode together for a short while so we could chat up a little about what had happened in the 4 years since we last met. She told me she had also been mountainbiking - racing a mountainbike that is - but she was not too thrilled by the "good brakes" and the "wobbly" suspension bits. Well, compared to a cyclocross bike I believe she is absolutely right when she describes the sensations aboard a mountainbike. I have the same sensation when I switch from my roadbike to my mountainbikes. It takes a little while to get used to the different handling and comfort level. She was on an interval training so our roads split way too soon.
I continued and did the whole PVC lap one more time. Then I returned whence I came, over Sint Joris Weert, the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek. I had a good ride and a pleasant meeting with someone I hadn't seen in a long time. So in short, I had a good day.

Ride Stats : 67K and 575/590 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h30mins

3961/41830

04-06-2011, 18:39 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another sunny day and I left around 10.30am for a ride that would take me to Filip Sport. When I came in Terlanen I saw markings of a race that was going to be held this sunday, so I decided to follow those as long as they did not let wander too much of the chosen path to Hoeilaart. The trail was quite hilly with the Smeysberg for starters, then dropping into Huldenberg and out again in the direction of Duisburg. Passing the ganspoel I could feel the wind tearing at the back of my shirt so I already knew that the return journey would be a difficult one. But hey, the sun was shining and I felt surprisingly good after yesterdays 100+ ride. In Duisburg the race track turned to the right but I chose the direction of Eizer. From Eizer straight on towards Overijse and then dropping onto the road to Hoeilaart.
Talked with Filip about the headbadge of my Vortex and it looks like he will be able to install it soon. Pro memoria, he had to order a special type of glue to attach the aluminum headbadge to the titanium frame. We also talked about the upcoming Harre mountainbike ride. I am a bit weary to ride offroad because the old enemy, the horsefly, is around and I don't want to risk getting bitten. But I want to do this ride so I will take all precautions I can take - long trousers, lots of Deet and my special anti-horsefly mix - and then hope I can survive 5 hours of riding in the forests. To be completely at ease I have asked for the guide to mail me the GPS track of the ride, so that I can check if it can be cut short, should the need arise,  and where we are back into civilization. Waiting for a reply..
I left Filip and because of the fine weather I decided to add some K's to my original 50-60K plan. Towards Maleizen I rode, and then down into Rosieres and up again towards Rixensart. Wavre and onwards to Dion Valmont. Adding quite a bit of hills to the ride, just to see how the legs would take those. And they took it fine. From Dion I rode towards Bonlez and then onwards to Longueville. Another long hill and now I began to feel the wind . When I turned towards the north I got it full on. I had to think about some lyrics from a Judas Priest song:

03-06-2011, 16:23 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

02-06-2011, 14:52 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Amazingly today we had some rain. Must be the first day this month where it rained for more than a couple of drops. far from enough for the thirst of field and forest but more than enough for most of the bikers. I decided to ride out after the last of the dark clouds was disappearing. There was quite a bit of wind , now blowing from the west to northwest , and the temperature was almost 10 degrees down compared to yesterday. Did an easy lap to complete the month with just over 15000 heightmeters.
Got my Wouter Weylandt remembrance shirt from Decca today and I will for sure be wearing it to show my support for this family and friends.

Ride Stats : 33K and 200/220 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h11mins

3683/39510

31-05-2011, 19:15 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today the weather forecast called for tropical heat and a dry southern wind. It was right. When I rode out it was nearing 30 degrees C and there was a hot breeze blowing . I decided to stick to the road and went for a loop starting in Heverlee, Egenhoven and then going to Bertem, Leefdaal and Duisburg. Already I could see darker clouds in the far horizons so I turned towards Eizer, into Overijse and then made my way towards Terlanen and Ottenburg. From here I had the wind blowing in my back which did considerable good for my average speed. Racing through Sint Agatha Rode and Sint Joris Weert , passing the Zoete Waters and then again into Oud-Heverlee and Heverlee to finish my ride over the Haasrode industrial area and then along the Expressweg towards Blanden.

Ride Stats : 60.5K and 400/420 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h10mins

3650/39290

30-05-2011, 19:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Had to rise at an early 3.20am this morning to go to work and work on a change that was only permitted to take place between 4 and 6am. Got home at 10.30am and decided to go for an easy ride to recover from yesterday. On the road of course. I also got my first horsefly bite - at least I think it was a horsefly because that is the only fly that will go through a layer of clothing - and a couple of gnat stings. So I had to take a little blue Aerius pill yesterday and today to beat the allergens. This means I have to start being very careful in the offroad from now on. The enemy is back.
Easy road ride taking me through Bierbeek, Bremt, Neervelp, Opvelp and into Beauvechain, Tourinnes, Nodebais and Hamme Mille. There I went for another loop over Nethen, Sint Joris Weert, the Zoete Waters and Oud-Heverlee before returning through Heverlee and Blanden.
Lots of wind again but I had an easy ride nevertheless with an average heartrate of 109bpm. 

Ride Stats : 42.5K and 360/335 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h40mins

3590/38870

29-05-2011, 13:38 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Arriving at Theux around 10am I noticed I did not have my GSM with me. Furthermore there was an archery contest claiming all the forest around Franchimont. I did not want to start my planned ride without a GSM so I decided to return home and postpone the ride to another date.
Arriving home I switched bikes and jerseys and took out the Moots for a spin through Meerdael Forest. Feeling rather good except for my right hand which was hurting since yesterday evening, some bad move I made I guess, I decided to do the hilly section of the 18th Meerdael Classic organised ride again.
It had rained yesterday and even though there was no mud you could see by the amount of gnats that it was wetter in the forest. I added a couple of climbs to the loop and arrived at a solid 1000+ heightmeters ride, which was a good consolation for the missed Theux ride.There was a lot of wind and the sections out of the forests were difficult, especially with the wind straight in my face.

28-05-2011, 18:03 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

26-05-2011, 19:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I have taken the Ben-Ahin O2 bikers roadbook, thrown away some superfluous sections and what was left could be called a very condensed trail with lots of heightmeters and some very steep ascents and descents.
Starting out at the parking lot near the river Meuse in downtown Huy I decided to do the ride in the opposite direction as the O2 Roadbook. Not starting through the tunnel but rounding the cathedral and then taking the first very steep climb of the day, the Chemin de la Cave. I have to admit, I did not ride it. Only just on the bike I did not want to risk hurting my muscles so soon in the ride. So I rode as far as I could - the grade gets to 35% at one point - stepped the steepest bit and then got on the bike again when the slope got under 21%. Taking me from 80 to 210 meters that is 130 heightmeters and only a couple of K away.
Then I made my way towards the Bois Mavelin for a great downhill section into a gorge. Again, percentages here are way above 25% but with the dry conditions there is no reason to worry. Just make sure your brakes work !.
Making almost a U-turn at the bottom and I was settling in for the second long climb of the day. The Merlin was doing fine and my legs were warmed up now. Taking a right turn and following a track along a field that had its long grass, nettles and thorns freshly mown. When I arrived in the forest again I greeted the workmen that were mowing the trails. I wore long trousers out of precaution for horseflies but the last time I was here you also needed long trousers against nettles and other pricklies. Not this time, everything was being mown.
Downhill again, rocks and steps, care needs to be taken. Down the track veers to the left. This is a difficult point because the trails converges here but since this is my third time I begin to understand how the trail goes. So no hesitation this time and I was riding along steep singletrails into the Bois Melart and the Bois Mavelin. Arriving at the ponds I discovered a new track that avoided crossing a stream. But then I took a wrong turn and did cross a stream too much. Twice because I had to return. The trails is a maze here and I wonder how many times I have to pass here before I figure it out.
Steep climb again , with sections of 28 and 29% , and I reach the highest point of this track, 245 meters, and ride into Solieres. Steep downhill followed by a nice steep uphill. You figured it out already I'm sure, this is no trail for the meek.
Reaching Ben-Ahin and now one of the steepest sections - both up and downhill - follows. Taking the rocky trail downhill had me sitting on my rear wheel a couple of times and the last bit is really difficult with lots of stones and rocks. But I make it to the road, turn left and left again and a long steep uphill awaits me. You have 2 trails here and I would suggest taking the second. It is steep at the start, you will need to walk, but the rest is around 24% and perfectly ride-able. I took the first to the left and this gets steep (25%)  and even steeper (41% maximum at one point ) and I had to get off of the bike and walk the last bit. Damn.

25-05-2011, 18:50 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for a road ride. Even though the wind was still blowing fiercely I decided to take the Vortex and brave it. The sun was shining and it was relatively warm when I rode out around 4pm. When I arrived in Opvelp I met my friend Roger who was cursing his road bike. He has problems positioning the cleats on his shoes. If I were him I would position them in a neutral position and leave them alone. Now he is always fiddling with them and it keeps him from enjoying his road rides. 
I continued my ride along Meldert, La Bruyere and then taking the road towards Jodoigne for a while before turning to the right towards Pietrebais. I followed the busy Chaussee de Jodoigne into Cocrou and Grez and then rode towards Hamme Mille, also on the big road. The wind was tearing at me and at times it felt very dangerous with my bike being torn left to right while the cars and lorries were passing me. From Nethen it was calmer when I rode towards Sint Joris Weert and the Zoete Waters. Opting for another loop into Oud-Heverlee and Heverlee before returning along the Naamsesteenweg into Blanden.
I was a bit surprised at my average speed, because in the first part of the right the wind had bothered me. And with an average heartrate of 119bpm I was also well into my LSD range. Good fast recovery ride.

Ride Stats : 59.5K and 420 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h7mins30secs

3437/36390

23-05-2011, 19:06 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Normally I would have preferred doing an easy road ride to day, to allow my aching muscles to relax and recuperate. But there was a fierce wind blowing so I decided on taking the Moots out for a spin on some easy Meerdael roads. Doing more or less a perimeter ride I could relax and enjoy the crisp air whilst the wind was blowing outside the forest. There had been some rain somewhere last night because I noticed some small puddles and the greens looked greener than a week ago.

Ride Stats : 19.5K and 155/205 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h2mins

3377/35970

22-05-2011, 20:22 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A perfect day for a long ride in the Ardennes. So I took the Merlin to Theux and the Chateau de Franchimont to have a go at my longest descent.
Arriving in Theux and parking before the Chateau I started out taking the steep downhill into Theux and then the "longest uphill" could start. The weather was promising, with an open sky and a temperature of around 15 degrees C already at 10am. It would remain sunny throughout the ride with tempetures around 20 degrees C.
The first part of this ride consists of climbing towards the highest point of Belgium, the Signal de Botrange. Over the years I have worked out a route that incorporates a lot of offroad stretches without becoming too difficult. On my way up to the Golf de Spa I encountered some bikers that were laying out chalklines. They told me that tomorrow there was a Randonnee at Tiege. That is certainly a good way to discover this region. I would encounter their markings a lot during the ascent and the descent back to Theux.
After a little more than 2 hours of biking I arrived at the Signal. The tracks had been dry and even on the fagnes one could note the effects of the long period of dry weather our country had been suffering during these last couple of months. 

21-05-2011, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw an overcast day but once again no rain fell. In the late afternoon the KBC MTB Club rode out for what would prove to be a slightly different ride. Instead of going into Meerdael Forest the guide took us through Heverleebos for starters and then through the Arenberg campus and Egenhoven. Here we kinda got lost and had to ride though fields and even someone garden to make it back onto a road. But then someone else took over and we set sails towards the Bertembos. Here we did some fine succession of climbing and descending on bonedry and and sandy roads. Some great biking to be had here but also to be avoided when it has rained.

But it hadn't rained for quite some time so we could enjoy the dust in the descents and through the fields we rode back towards Egenhoven and Heverlee. Here once again we entered the Heverleebos. In all a very special ride I'm sure we all enjoyed in the end. In the beginning it looked like we would get stuck in the city of Leuven but once we got through Egenhoven and the past the Fire Brigade site things were falling into place.

Ride Stats : 43K and 345/400 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h14mins

3288/34450

19-05-2011, 21:28 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Took half a day off to have the time for a long road ride. I had adjusted the 145 distance of the Biz'on the Bike ride for around 135K. That meant - because I would not do the stretch from the start to the Zoete Waters and from the Zoete Waters back to the end at Arenberg -  that I would end up between 120 and 125K.
This proved to be correct because in the end I had 123K. Not bad for a afternoon ride. The sun came out about 45 minutes into the ride and the weather was quite pleasant to ride in. Except for the wind which bothered me most the last 20K or so. Those were hard kilometers but I managed to hold on to my average of just under 26kph. With an average heartbeat of 125bpm I could only be happy with my current form. You can find the track of my ride below this text.



Ride Stats : 123K and 1020/1070 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 4h46mins

3245/34050

18-05-2011, 17:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

It was raining slightly when I rode the Moots out into Meerdael Forest. I wanted to do an easy ride so I chose to do the Meerdael Bloso's. To spice things up I rode them in the reverse direction. Because of the rain I chose to stay in the forest as much as possible so I cut some corners and added a few bits. I did not feel too tired but I chose to ride an easy pace to relax and enjoy the scenery. When I came to the Green loop I decided to cut the big section going towards Oud-Heverlee and stay in Heverleebos instead. This would yield me a ride of about 2h30 which was more than enough. While I was at it I added a climb or two. Still my average heartrate was only 104bpm, which is not bad considering my average speed and the amount of climbing in this loop.

Feeling better than when I started I finished the ride. The rain had long stopped, and it was only a couple of drops anyways. Hope the weather will pick up in the next days since I only had 15 degrees C as the average temperature this evening.



Ride Stats : 46K and 505/575 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h27mins

3122/32980

16-05-2011, 20:33 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Tonight saw some long expected rainfall in our region so this morning the trails were bound to be less dusty than yesterday. I decided on another mountainbike ride in my 'home' forest, exploring some more singletracks and riding some hills at a leisurely pace.
More or less like the snail I captured with my Sony DSC-300 whilst biking . The wet spell caused a lot of snails to appear -apparently out of nowhere.

I started out again in the eastern side of the forest, exploring some lesser-ridden trails and some possible additions to my Secret Meerdael Loop. Some of them were very difficult to ride due to vegetation and fallen trees. But I did not have to turn around so all the tracks are basically OK to ride, with some technical prowess needed from time to time. When I crossed the Naamsesteenweg I came to the hiller section of Meerdael Forest and tried a descent I hadn't done for quite a while. To my surprise it was completely clear of debris. I then incorporated a succession of climbs and descents working my way towards the outskirts of Nethen. Here I took the little walking trail next to the Savenel wall. This was difficult to ride due to the crops that made the track very narrow. But I made it and then took the steep downhill into Nethen

Some more interesting trails brought me towards The Kluis where I noticed one of the sculptures of Ad Wouters. There is a trail that connects all of these oeuvres d'art , the trail is called Het Pad van Ad.

From there it didn't take me much longer to complete my riding, taking the hairy descent into Sint Joris Weert and the uphill towards the Speelberg on my way to the August Denteneer pad. Just a couple of nice trails left and right and then I was back in Blanden where I finished the loop at the Naamsesteenweg. My legs felt OK and the weather remained dry with the exception of a couple of raindrops when I was near the Herculessalon. But it quickly stopped and the trails were not even wet.



Ride Stats : 39.5K and 595/680 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h42mins

3076/32405

15-05-2011, 18:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Last loop now driving into Blanden and nearing the end, which I have placed at the little school. There is some parking space there and the start of the singletrack loop is only 400m away.
I had a good ride today and even though I normally get this ride done in under 4 hours, I was pleased with the time because I added another loop and found some new heightmeters, making it tougher than the previous versions. I leave you with a link to both sections of my Meerdael Loops.
If you want to ride them, please stay on the trails and I wish you a very good ride. Be careful because the track is a twisty one and you might wanna have a good look at it on mapsource or the likes because it consists of a lot of loops and you might get lost - or your GPS might - if you miss a turn.


Ride Stats : 60K and 1140 heightmeters (Garmin) in 4h7mins

3036/31725

14-05-2011, 18:52 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After my last appointment with the kinesist I decided to do an easy recovery ride with the Vortex. Choosing for a big loop and taking it easy whilst allowing the leg muscles to work in a relaxed way. The weather was still OK with around 22 degrees C but the forecast for the weekend does not look too good. The - much needed - rain might fall at last. Maybe not tomorrow but for sunday it looks like showers will hit us.
But today no worries, just a loop taking me through Korbeek Dyle, then right to Egenhoven - where I think I crossed Christine Vardaros on her training ride - and then looping back to Neerijse and following the Sint Jansbergsteenweg to Huldenberg and Overijse. Still straight on and upwards to Maleizen. Here I took a double left and zoomed down into Tombeek. Right towards the Wavre industry zone and then left again towards Ottenburg. Straight through and down into Sint Agatha Rode and Sint Joris Weert. Past the Zoete Waters I added another loop towards Oud-Heverlee centre and Heverlee before returning along the Naamse Steenweg into Blanden.

Ride Stats : 56.5K and 395/410 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h2mins

2976/30585

13-05-2011, 21:29 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

12-05-2011, 21:17 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Ever since I rode this roadbook, in september last year, I have been wanting to come back to get a second chance at the many steep ascents I could not ride . Due to the Lyme disease which was already manifesting itself in my body, I did not get a fair chance to match my biking prowess against this wonderfully difficult roadbook.
So today was the day. I had asked Roger if he wanted to accompany me, and he agreed. We rode to the starting point in Huy and set off at 2pm for the 34K of the Ben-Ahin roadbook. I also wore my new shoes for the first time, so this would also be their testing ground.

For a detailed report on the roadbook I would like to refer you to my blog entry of 03-09-2010, where I explain the track in great detail. Now I just want to focus on some of the highlights of todays' ride. I made sure to get the difficult passage, where the track meets itself a couple of time, right. And still we managed to take a wrong direction for 100 meters or so after not riding the very steep uphill out of the forest into the fields which were to lead us towards la Sarte à Ben. But after that we could complete the first loop, leading us towards Andenne, without much trouble. Viewing the magnificent landscapes, and undergoing the technical downhills, singeltracks and very steep uphills we arrived back at La Sarte à Ben for the start of the second loop. Roger had been cursing his hardtail bike on the very difficult stony climb up the Bois de Mavelin. Whilst I was enjoying the gentle plushness of my Merlin full suspension bike. 

Another fine loop with some very beautiful tracks, steep downhills and a very steep and rooty climb towards Solieres and we stopped to have a bite to eat and talk about bikes. Roger was thinking about selling the Sola and getting a full suspension bike again. He complained about the lack of traction and comfort on the roots and stones. When we arrived home I checked his tyres and found them to be pumped up rather firm. He says they are on 1.5 bar but I say he needs to check his pump. I'm sure they were well over 2 bars. Perhaps letting out a bit of air would soften the ride and considerable add to the traction of the rear wheel.

Closing the second loop we came to the last third of the roadbook, starting off with a very difficult and steep 21% slope on rocks and roots in the Bois Mélart. We both made it with flying colors and the singletrack next to the fields that followed had us both receiving a lot of nettle stings. With tingling legs we rode down into the valley of a dry river for the last and possibly toughest climb of the day. The singletrack next to and high above to the riverbed was superb. The steep climb after it was - steep. But we both made it. Sitting on the front of our saddles to keep the front wheel from lifting, the dry conditions provided grip so that we could keep the wheels turning and make the climb into the Bois Madame. My garmin says that the slope is 47% at its steepest but I think it is safer to say that it is between 30 and 40% at its steepest. Last time I measured it at 38% which will be about right.
Great, now a last stretch of offroad brought us to the top of the cote de Ben-Ahin where I wanted to try an alternative downhill instead of the impossibly steep drops from the Tour Joseph. This alternative is straightforward and even though it is steep - it is a 150 meter drop after all - it is completely ride-able and brings us nicely to the  railway tunnel that takes us to the end of our ride. We are both very pleased with todays' ride. Small in kilometers but with a good amount of Ardennes' feeling and a lot of climbing and descending.



Ride Stats : 35K and 770/790 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h33mins

2883/29775

11-05-2011, 21:12 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf