I decided I would try for the 50K track that is the main distance in tomorrows' organised ride in Grez-Doiceau. The track and organisation are from the hand of Eric Robert, a well-know local cyclist and organiser of cyclocross and other sporting events. I noticed last thursday that the track was already fully arrowed so why nog give it a try today.
The weather was warm - 9 degrees on average - but with a low cloudcover and some occasional light rain it was a bit gloomy. Nothing a Gore tex jacket couldn't handle so I took the Obed for a spin.
Arriving in Gottechain I got underway for a series of loops that took in most of the tricky trails in the neighborhood. The trails were moist but there was no real mud to speak off. Except for one impossible climb just out of Florival all was very well manage-able. The trail was heavy though, a lot of ups and downs and sometimes the going was tough in the sticky trails. 

When I arrived in Florival I saw a multitude of arrows going in 3 directions. I am sure Eric has devised some kind of loop there but I missed out on the logic and rode on towards La Malaise . I later noticed I must have missed almost 10K. I hope that tomorrow the arrowing  will make more sense at this place or I predict a lot of bikers going in every possible direction. 
I rode on and got a series of good trails around Bossut before dropping down into Archennes.

A last loop that took me towards the outskirts of Gastuche and before long I was at the Event hall in Grez-Doiceau where the ride starts. With 40K into the ride I decided to call it a day and make my way back whence I came. Into Meerdael Forest and it started to rain a little more heavily, making the trails wet and dangerous. I had a good solid ride today with a lot of heightmeters .

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 61K and 755 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h38mins

1644/16245

10-03-2012, 15:11 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a couple of days of windy and showery weather today announced itself dry with big sunny breaks. In the late afternoon I rode out for an exploratory ride into Meerdaelwoud. I quickly decided to ride towards Nethen and then ride the loop to Bossut and Gottechain. I could see the arrowing for next weekends' organised ride - organised by Eric Robert - was already there. The ride starts in the Sports hall of Grez-Doiceau and might be worth considering. I followed it for a while because it happened to go where I was going.

Up into Gottechain and then down along the narrow path in the fields. Back up again and onwards towards Nodebais. Here Eric went for other venues so I rode on without any arrows. Down along Valduc and then back upwards for a long series of trails into Meerdael Forest. The trails were moist from time to time and were also suffering from the many machines used in the exploitation that is still going on with a lot of trees being felled and torn through the forest and along the singletrails. Those singletrails are now doubletrails and it will take a while for them to recover from the heavy traffic.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 41K and 515 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h16mins

1583/15490

08-03-2012, 19:21 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I had been thinking about riding towards Dongelberg and have a closer look at the castle. Today I deciced I should give it a try. I rode out with the intention of riding towards Dongelberg using as much as possible the offroad trails. Obviously Beauvechain airport is in the way of a straight line towards Dongelberg so I had to use a little bit of tarmac getting around it. When I reached Happeau I had to turn back because of an extremely muddy track through a hollow road in the fields. Getting my tyres wet so I looked for another option to move further to the south. My aim was the big water tower and I knew that Dongelberg was situated in the valley just beyond it. I arrived in Dongelberg but was disappointed to find the castle grounds were closed for one reason or another. Riding around it I discovered a spot where I could take a picture of it through some shrubberies.

Moving onward my next goal was to arrive home without getting wet. There was rain forecast and I rode towards the water tower and the past the ferme d'Happeau to reach Pietrebais.

From Pietrebais I was again forced to use a bit of tarmac making my way towards Nodebais and Tourinnes-la-grosse. From here I quickly found access to Meerdael Forest when the first drops started to fall. It was a good ride and my legs felt OK after yesterdays ride. Of course there was some fatigue but the only real trouble I had today was with the muddy sections in the Brabant Walloon fields and the wind that blew noticeably stronger than yesterday during the first part of my ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 42K and 420 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h13mins

1542/14975

04-03-2012, 14:18 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Weather forecast for today looked splendid. Calm weather with temperatures above 10 degrees C and maybe some sun peeping through the clouds in the afternoon. I rode out with the Litespeed Obed for an ambitious ride this early in the season. My plan was to ride through Meerdael Forest and Margijs Forest towards Duisburg where I would enter the Sonian Forest. Making my way to the Avenue Dubois I picke din on the Nero Bloso route. Following the meandering singletrail along the Avenue was great fun. When I reached the railroad singletrail it turned out to be rather muddy but I managed to get through without too much damage. The Belgian railroad is working on the tracks and the BLOSO had to be slightly rerouted in this area. The next of the trails were very good. Some of the singletrack sections now had multiple singletracks leading parallel to each other, but still good fun to do. When I arrived at the end of the last singletrack I stopped for a bite to eat and to take some pictures.

Riding onwards for the last stretch from the Nero route, which by the way runs completely in the Flemish section of the Sonian Forest. I rode back home along the same trails whence I came, only taking a slightly different track at 2 or 3 occasions. I felt tired but very elated to have completed this near-4 hour ride. The bike did fine but I really need to change the bearings of the Race Face bottom bracket. It is developing more play each and every ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 77K and 860 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h57mins

1500/14555

03-03-2012, 15:29 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Calm weather today. With an average temperature of 8 degrees C, no wind to speak of and dry conditions I was set for a longer offroad ride. I decided on the track of last years Haasrode organised ride. Riding the base loop is around 36K and about 2 hours. This suited me fine. The forest trails were almost dry and the only obstacles were deep ruts made by the big tractors pulling out the trees in the ongoing exploitation of the forest. I made good speed and soon was out of Meerdael Forest for a loop through the open area towards Gottechain. The little loop taking me down and upwards again was too wet to ride . I had to walk a couple of meters. Unfortunately, clasping my rear brake made me lose one of the brakepads, thus leaving me with no rear brake. I only noticed that on the following downhill. Losing you rear brake is not THAT big a deal, but nevertheless my stopping power was comprimized.

01-03-2012, 19:34 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Warm but misty and cloudy this evening. No wind to speak of but I preferred riding in the forest anyway. I started out in Heverleebos for a mixture of smaller tracks and bigger forest roads. Riding towards the Zoete Waters where I crossed over into the Kouterbos and Meerdaalbos. Following the Bloso for a while which brought me to Sint Joris Weert and Nethen. The trails were fine, no mud and only a slight layer of moisture in the exposed parts where the fine mist could reach the forest floor. I rode all the way to Mollendaalbos before returning along the forest edge in Blanden. Since the Lupine light was on for quite a while now I avoided the smaller trails near the end.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats: 34K and 355 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h47mins

1382/13205

28-02-2012, 20:14 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Windy this afternoon so I decided to ride into the relative shelter of the forest. The trails were great, just a little bit moist but no puddles or other wet spots. I tried out some of the smaller singletracks but there are still a lot of exploitation works going on and there is a lot of small and bigger timber blocking the trails. I tried to follow the GR track crossing through from east to west but from time to time I added an extra loop to check out the condition of a trail. I stopped at the Dikke Eik for a picture.

From Mollendaal forest I crossed into Meerdael Forest for a hilly section. It took some getting used to the steep sections but I quickly found a good rhythm in the climbing. The downhills were enjoyed to the max with good grip and a squealing front brake. near the end I was zooming along quite well on the big ring. The race face bottom bracket needs new bearings, I have around 2-4mm play and I begin to notice it when I pedal. The trouble is that it is not easy to find replacement bearings for these old square tapered axles. Filip Sport is looking for them.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 27K and 360 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h29mins

1348/12850

27-02-2012, 19:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw a drop in temperatures and it was gloomy and there was a slight drizzle falling when I rode off along the Naamsesteenweg. The plan was to follow this to Hamme Mille and there switch on the N91. I followed that past the Beauvechain airport and Pietrebais until I reached Incourt. Here I took a left towards Dongelberg. Passing the beautiful Chateau I made a mental note to stop here one of these days to try and take some pictures of this majestic building. The absense of leaves makes it viewable from the street and I also noticed a small portal which seems to be open to the public , offering entrance to the castle gardens.
But for now I rode on towards Jodoigne where I joined the Ravel, taking that towards Hoegaarden.With the Ernest Oury straat still broken up, I had to ride past the Villa Hugardis to try and join the N221 towards Tienen. Taking a left turn up the ridge and then a right towards the St-Katelijne Chapel in Sint-Katelijne-Hauxem.

26-02-2012, 14:27 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

While the Psychlo-X still seems to be stuck somewhere in the USPS offices , I took the Hilset BBW out for a ride. The weather looked good, dry and with the sun peeping through the clouds from time to time. With an average temperature of 9 degrees its wasn't cold either. I wanted to do a 50K ride so I rode out towards Bierbeek and Vertrijk, connecting to Willebringen and then onwards to Kumtich. Here I rode towards the Tiensesteenweg and followed that on the orbital around Tienen. Taking a right towards Hoegaarden I could feel a new player in the game : the wind. It was blowing very unpleasantly and would be my opponent for the last 25K or so. Riding to Hoegaarden and then for a short while on the Ravel before taking a right turn again towards Saint Remy Geest. Braving the cobbles and the wind I now set in the direction of Melin. Upon reaching the N91 I took a rigth again towards Hamme Mille. This last bit was very difficult with the wind now able to blow full force over the plains. I was glad to reach the shelter of Meerdael Forest for the last bit into Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 53K and 415 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h22mins

1260/11975

25-02-2012, 13:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Almost 10 degrees C when I rode out on the Hilset for an easy ride . There was some wind and it seemed to be always blowing in my face. I took it relatively easy but tried to maintain a good pace. Or at least as good as pace as is possible with this bike on the streets.
I received my Moots Psychlo-X sticker set today. Still waiting on the frame to emerge from over the ocean. I forgot to start the Garmin at the start of my ride so I had to convert the Endomondo tcx file to a format that is recognized by Garmins Training Center program. The plain file did not work so I had to convert it. TCX Converter did the trick but it took some figuring out.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 32.5K and 355 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h26mins

1207/11560

23-02-2012, 18:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday I did not feel like riding a bike. My legs were still recovering from the weekend rides . Instead I had a good walk passing next to the "Dikke Beuk", a 200-year old tree that gas a span of almost 5 metres and is 38m high. It looked very majestic.
I walked a leisurely 6.5K and my legs felt fine with the workout.

21-02-2012, 19:37 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Last night saw a considerable drop in temperature. This morning it was just above 0 degrees. I rode out with a layer of clothing more as compared to yesterday. I used some very thin undergloves which Elias - who is currently racing in Finland - hinted me to. They look and feel like something very flimsy but they actually seem to work. The Assos gloves I used today are rated to 6 degrees C and with the undergloves I could descend 4 or 5  degrees lower without any trouble.
My ride was a simple one. Riding along the Expressweg and then the Geldenaaksebaan into Heverlee. Crossing through to the Arenberg area and Egenhoven and then follow the Sint Jansbergse Steenweg all the way to Huldenberg. Here I rode up the Smeysberg and then down again into Sint Agatha Rode. Could not resist taking a picture of its church and the tree in front of it. Some postprocessing with Vignette for Android produced a nice vintage result.

Riding on towards Sint Joris Weert and then through Meerdael Forest along the Weertse Dreef. I had only felt a couple of raindrops but not long after I arrived home it started to snow. My legs felt already stronger than yesterday.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 38K and 335 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h43mins

1149/10860

19-02-2012, 13:38 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After the cold spell during the first 2 weeks of februari the weather changed this week to a wet but warmer couple of days. I decided to take a couple of days rest to let the pieces fall together. My body felt tired and I struggled with a cold during the first days of this week.
Today I rode out for an easy recovery ride. The temperature difference from last week is almost 20 degrees C. The wind was blowing though and I took it easy . There was a light drizzle near the end of the ride but I took my precautions with fenders and a Gore-tex jacket.
Meanwhile, the Moots Psychlo-X is on its way to Belgium. It left Brookline, Massachusetts on Februari the 12th and has passed through the  sort facility in Chestnut Hill, MA and is now residing in another USPS sort facility in Nashua, New Hampshire . 

Ride Stats : 30K and 195 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h22mins

1111/10525

18-02-2012, 12:36 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

According to the weather forecast today may well be one of the last ice days. It looks like next week temperatures might at last go over the 0 degree C marker. Anyway, tonight saw another -12 degrees and when I left around noon it was still -6 degrees C. The forest lay calm and still white waiting for me. I crossed a multitude of bikers completing the Zoenk organised ride before I came on my lap and was on my own. Except for the occasional runner, a lost mountainbiker and a couple of walkers I could enjoy peace and calm on my laps. I chose for an 8K lap and did that 4 times. With around 120 heightmeters a lap and some singletrack this was far from easy. But there was no rush and I could enjoy the passing of the trails whilst practicing skills and honing fitness. When I arrived home I had an average temperature of -3 degrees C and my heartrate was well down with an average of 122bpm.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 37K and 535 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h09mins

1081/10330

12-02-2012, 15:15 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Sunny skies but very cold this morning. Another -10 degrees C night. I wanted to do two big laps in Mollendaal forest so I started out around 10.30AM with the Obed . There was a cold wind blowing but I was wearing lots of layers of clothing and hoped for the best. The snow was a little less than a couple of days ago - probably due to the temperatures reaching almost 0 during the last 2 days and a bright shining sun whic helped in the thawing process. I set out along the north-south lines of my big Mollendaal lap and things went well. After the initial cold shock my feet and fingers started to warm up and I was fine for another lap. 

I saw lots of mountainbikers and there ware a multitude of trails which had been well-used. My sunglasses helped against the blinding rays of the sun  in the snowy patches. When I arrived near the Bremberg the wind was at its worst. I had to use my balaclava to keep my lips from freezing and my breath to become icy. I saw some rider of MBC De Zoenk who were busy arrowing their organised ride that takes place tomorrow. Maybe I will do part of it, but I don't think I will leave before noon. Today I had a good workout and a great ride on the hard snowy trails.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 50.5K and 630 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h51mins

1044/9795

11-02-2012, 15:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The temperature went up to around 0 degrees today so it looks like the winter is slowly losing its grip. When I rode out it was back below zero but it felt a lot warmer than a couple of days ago. In the forest I was also sheltered from the northern breeze that had been blowing during the day and into the evening. I decided to to monday's ride again, but add a couple of loops going further south where possible. The resulting ride was a nice one. I am getting used to the snowy trails because I could up the speed a couple of notches as compared to monday. The snow is getting mashed together by all kinds of traffic and here and there the bare ground is coming through. Also some frozen puddles where care has to be taken when riding over them/ Black ice is very slippery. On the whole I quite enjoyed the ride, I had to use my light for the last half hour or so, the sun is already noticeably longer in the skies and of course the snow does help to see where you are going. I missed the moon this evening , she must be full or waning gibbous.
I bought another titanium cycling frame yesterday. I cannot divulge more details about it , I will have to wait until it arrives. Suffice it to say for now that it is a Moots Psychlo-X frame and I intend to build it up as a cyclocross bike. More news to follow in the next couple of weeks.
 
Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 26K and 305 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h29mins

994/9165

08-02-2012, 19:21 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Started out in an outside temperature of -3 degrees and I went for a ride into the snowy forest. I had devised a lap in my head that consisted of ride north to south in parallel lanes which meant taking in a couple of climbs but also some singletracks. The forest trails were still snowed under but here and there you could see the forest floor coming through. The moon was nearing the ides of february and shone through the trees, illuminating the trails in a eery yellow light. The sun disappeared beyond the horizon in a blaze of red. It looked to be slippery here and there but as far as I could feel it wasn't. The only trouble in the fading light was the ruts and trying not to get caught into one. Letting the bike ride over them, keeping the weight to the rear and the momentum up is the big trick. I had the feeling I was close to having a wheel blocked a couple of times but letting go of the brakes did the trick. The ride was a good one and when I rode out of the forest near the end I could feel the cold falling on me from the starred sky. When I arrived home I noticed the temperature had indeed dropped to -9 degrees C.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 22K and 285 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h21mins

968/8860

06-02-2012, 19:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw a temperature that was a little warmer than yesterday. With only -6 degrees C on average the cold already stung a lot less during my ride. I decided for another snow ride in Mollendaal and Meerdael Forest. The trails were great and the snow was as dry as sand. I ventured into the plains of Mille and Valduc and the sun was feeling warm on the sparse skin that was exposed. I did a lot of twisting and turning and after an hour or two I decided to call it a day and head home.

There were a lot of mountainbikers in the forest - judging by the tracks and also crossing them along the way . Since I rode alone I tried some smaller tracks, most were OK and I only had to watch it in the downhills, with the frozen ruts being the major danger. I mainly stayed in Mollendaalbos today, only venturing over the Naamsesteenweg for a brief loop taking me past the Warande Pond and then up towards La Trace and back down to cross the Naamsesteenweg again at the Naamse Delle. 

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 36K and 555 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h13mins

945/8575

05-02-2012, 14:31 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Minus 15 degrees C this morning. Brr. I waited until noon to ride out. I had Johan H. coming over and join me on a ride in Meerdael Forest. Yesterday in the afternoon it had snowed lightly for a couple of hours which did 2 things : send the traffic in Belgium in a major traffic jam and provide us with a beautiful dry snowy landscape. About 5-6 centimeters of the white stuff was waiting for us this morning.
Well dressed and in an average temperature of -9 degrees C we completed a ride that would lead us through the forest and into the fields of Hamme Mille and Valduc. The snow was of the dry kind, it did not stick at all and was very easy to ride through. Care had to be taken of course because of the frozen ruts beneath it. When we arrived in the fields there was an icy cold fog hanging over them. Fog that froze and added to the cristalline snow already on the trees. Beautiful.

04-02-2012, 17:06 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Temperature dropped to -8 degrees C tonight and this morning saw a blistering cold easterly wind add to the ambient temperature. It made sense to ride in the forest to avoid the wind as much as possible. I waited until 10AM before riding out for a twisting ride. I had my new Flite saddle on the Obed and it immediately felt better than the old one which was worn to the point of sagging.
It was -6 on average during my ride and from times to times I could feel the cold wind making it feel even colder. The bits with the wind in my back and the sun on my face felt glorious though.

01-02-2012, 13:20 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf