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Tales from the Woods |
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09-04-2012 |
Drizzle climb |
When the promised rain didn't seem to come - a couple of drops in the morning notwithstanding - I decided to take the Hilset out into the Meerdael Forest for a climbing session. There was a bit of drizzle in the air and the wind was blowing from the west. Felt not too cold though. The trails were semi-wet and when I started the climbing I was amazed at the traction the Hutchinson Python Air offered on the wet surface. With the Schwalbe Rocket Ron and Racing Ralph, tyres that have bigger knobs than the Python, I always have the wheel slipping when on these uphills. Not so with the Python. I had to really pull down the hammer to make them skip, and then only over wet roots. Good points again. In the downhills I was careful because of the lack of real braking power and the fact that I was not confident in the Pythons as being grippy enough on slick trails. I shouldn't have worried. Of course they do not grip like Continentals Mountain King but they offered a certain comfort cushion. Careful traject choice was necessary - I am on a non-suspension bike don't forget - but all went well. Even the steepest downhills were taken - slowly but surely. I can see this tyre mounted on some of my "real" mountain bikes as well. Especially on the rear wheel. In front nothing beats the Mountain King.

When I was finished I was enjoyed with the 500 heightmeters on my Garmin. The ride that had started with light drizzle became wetter near the end when a light rain set in.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 24K and 505 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h41mins
2624/26755
09-04-2012, 15:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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08-04-2012 |
Migrating Batracians |
After seeing Tom Boonen win his fourth Paris-Roubaix I decided to make the most of what looks to be the last of the dry days. The weather forecast calls for rain every day next week. I didn't want to put in too much of an effort so I settled for a mixed ride, with a lot of cobbles to get the Paris-Roubaix feeling. If you see the average speed of Boonen - 43.5kph over a distance of 265km - and you put that besides my MAX speed today - also 43.5kph - it is for sure an amazing performance. With this fourth win he comes into the hall of fame , right next to Mr. Paris-Roubaix, Roger De Vlaeminck himself. Me, I setlled for an easy ride and riding from Bierbeek over de Zwarten Hoek for 2.5K of cobbles, then down into Beauvechain and taking a right towards Tourinnes-La-Grosse where I took a left into Nodebais. Here I rode past the little chapelle Vandevelde and along a field track to reach Grez Doiceau. From Grez I made my way towards Archennes, Pecrot and Nethen. Riding out of Pecrot I spotted this sign, warning car drivers for the migration of frogs.

Into Nethen and along the Weertse Dreef through Meerdael Forest and into Blanden. An easy recovery ride and a closure on another fine biking week , with lots of kilometers on only one bike, the Hilset BBW . Hopefully I will have my summer mountainbikes in working order during next week.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 41.5K and 350 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h54mins
2599/26250
08-04-2012, 19:40 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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07-04-2012 |
Mollendaal singletrails |
A little bit of rain fell last night and this morning. The clouds were prominent but every now and then the sun was peeping through fro a short while. The wind was blowing cold from the north. I decided to do an easy ride in the forest and set out on a combination of my secret meerdael loops and the trails I discovered last winter. The forestry works were still going on and a lot of the beautiful narrows trails have been changed into big boulevards of broken wood and deep gullies by the forestry machines. It is a bit ironic to see the 'do not disturb' signs at the start of many a trail that has been ripped open and lies there like a festering wound, waiting for time to heal it back into the beautiful trail it once was. Another phenomenon is that the forestry leaves a lot of fallen trees where they have fallen over the trails, thus making it impossible to ride them. Having to dismount is very frustrating and breaks the rhythm.

I did however persist and rode the trails anyway. On other places the tracks had been cleaned of fallen debris and trees so on the whole it evens out. I was still feeling yesterdays' ride in my legs so on the whole I was taking it very easy , trying to enjoy the forest and the meandering little trails through it.

I noticed some arrows and upon inspection they belonged to the VLI - Vlaamse Liga Paardensport. So they are organising rides for horses as well nowadays. No problem, as long as they stay on their alloted trails. Nothing but a couple of dozens horses to mess up a good trail and make one wish he was riding on the cobbles of Paris Roubaix instead.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 26K and 365 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h35mins
2558/25900
07-04-2012, 17:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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06-04-2012 |
Good Friday Ride. |
Bank holiday today so I had a day off from work. The front tyre of my Moots YBB suddenly decided to refuse to hold any more air, so that means I either put in an inner tyre or I take it to Filip Sport for a No Tubes refill. I decided to go for the latter option which meant I had to take out the BBW again for what was going to turn unto quite a solid mixed ride. Starting out at an easy pace following the Haasrode Tour towards Bierbeek, Neervelp, Willebringen, Kumtich, Hoksem and Hoegaarden. When I passed the Goudberg Geosite I decided to ride towards the Ravel 2 and then following the cobbles past St Remy Geest until I reached Jodoigne. From Jodoigne it wasn't very far from Dongelberg. I crossed the N91 , rode through Incourt and then took a left towards Opprebais. Here I followed a narrow tarmac road that is mainly used to water off the surrounding fields. I have been here before and then this road was a stream with 20cm of water flowing through it. Today, due to the drought that has been going on for almost a month, there was nothing but nice but rough tarmac under my wheels. I resisted the urge to ride into Maleves-Sainte-Marie-Wastinnes, turning to the right towards Chaumont Gistoux instead. The wind, cold and from the north, was blowing into my face now and it was a good thing I dressed for the occasion. Even though it was sunny it was rather cold. Stopping at the church for a bite to eat.

Riding onwards I quickly passed Gistoux and then made my way through the beautiful Train valley into Bonlez and onwards to Grez Doiceau. From Grez I crossed the N25 and climbed towards Bossut. Riding through La Malaise and a bit of offroad taking me to Rue de Pecrot and into Nethen. From here I closed my loop riding past Sint Joris Weert, the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek. When I reached Blanden the nice weather made me decide to add another loop towards La Chasse and then past the Commonwealth Cemetery back towards Blanden. A nice solid ride at an easy pace.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 85K and 680 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h47mins
2531/25535
06-04-2012, 15:54 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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31-03-2012 |
Meerdael Perimeter |
Grey and relatively cold weather but at least it was dry. Added a layer of clothing and rode out on the Hilset BBW for a perimeter ride around Meerdael Forest. Starting out towards Haasrode and Bremberg and then making my way towards Valduc and Nethen. Upon crossing the Naamsesteenweg and just before the hilly section in Nethen I came upon my friend Johan and Roger, who were also doing a ride in and around Meerdael Forest. The wind was keeping us all into or near the shelter of the trees. We exchanged some information and went our seperate ways. I continued and before long I was in Nethen and riding into Sint Joris Weert. Nearing the Zoete Waters where I stopped for a moment to take some pictures of the re-erected giant toadstool in one of the ponds.

Into Heverlee bos now and I continued to Oud-Heverlee and Heverlee, where I crossed the Naamsesteenweg for a loop past the War Cemetery and into Blanden. Crossing the Naamsesteenweg again and then finishing off my ride along the Prosperdreef and into Blanden. Just another little loop before calling it a day. The ride went fine, sursprisingle hilly despite my efforts to remain on the bigger roads I was lured from time to time into taking one of the many smaller tracks.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 41K and 505 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h13mins
2295/23620
31-03-2012, 14:54 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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30-03-2012 |
Mollendaal tracks |
The weather took a turn yesterday and today and when I took the BBW out late in the afternoon the temperature was just 10 degrees C. Contrast that with the 19 degrees C from wednesday and add a fresh northwesterly wind and cloud cover and you realize fast that we are only late March. I decided to try the Mollendaal parcours I devised last winter. The trails were dry and fast but also bonehard on the Hilset with no suspension except for the inherent qualities of its titanium frame and what little comfort Hutchinson Python Air tyres inflated to 2.5 bars have to offer. But the steering was crisp and my form was good enough to keep the pace high notwithstanding the lack of comfort. The efficiency was also influenced by the lack of traction on the climbs. But at least the loud clinging sound was gone. Yesterday I tightened the Mavic Crossmax wheels' bearings.

The ride went well and when I came out of the forest near the end I was glad I did not have the wind in my face. The forecast calls for a little rain tomorrow and the colder - normal - temperatures will remain for the next couple of days.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 27K and 325 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h20min
2254/23115
30-03-2012, 19:46 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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28-03-2012 |
Overijse green and blue |
The dry warm weather keeps on going so as soon as I got home from work I was on my bike and aout and about riding again to Sint Agatha Rode and the entry into the Overijse trails. The Green and Blue were my tracks of choice today and soon I was in Terlanen grinding the gears on the Moskesstraat. The bike was still making a lot of noise and I began to suspect it coming from my 1999 Mavic Crossmax rear wheel. I was to be proven right when I grabbed the wheel and moved it from left to right. Bingo, the same kind of sounds and some play on the bearings. Once you know where a noise is originating from it doesn't seem to bother anymore. I made good speed and enjoyed the dry trails, the sunny warm evening and the bike that was zooming along under me, from time to time making a lot of noise. When I came into Terlanen I stopped to tale some pictures of the big Bilande farm. Now privately owned.


Before long I had completed the Overijse trails and headed back towards Sint Agatha Rode and Sint Joris Weert. I passed the place where I hit the girl last evening, hoping to see her outside again to check if she was fine, but there was no-one around. When I neared the top of the hill and rode into the forest towards The Kluis, I noticed someone was riding behind me. Looking around I saw a girl on a matte black full suspension mountain bike. I told her the noises she was hearing were not originating from my bones, but came from my wheel. She answered that I was making good speed nevertheless. But so was she. I let her pass and followed her on the downhill past The Kluis. She was fast ! It was a pity that I could not accompany her further along the Blue Bloso she seemed to be following. I was nearing the 45k mark and was set for home. Hope to meet up with her again. She seemed to be well matched to my own speed on a bike.
When I got home I prepared my Litespeed and the rear wheels of my merlin and Moots for a visit to Filip Sport. Hopefully he can fix the wheels this week - they need new NoTubes fluid - so that I can ride one of those bikes on some more challenging terrain.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 50K and 570 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h21mins
2227/22790
28-03-2012, 20:22 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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27-03-2012 |
Overijse Red |
Another beautiful sunny day and when I got home from work I decided to ride out on the Hilset BBW. I rode through Meerdael forest towards SInt Agatha Rode where I picked in on the Red Overijse Bloso. This is the toughest of the 3 Bloso routes and incorporates a fair bit of climbs. Before long I was grinding though the gears on one of the steep uphills. The bike is making some cling and clang noises that seem to be originating from the bottom bracket area. Still, when I stop pedalling it keeps making the same noises. I have checked all the usual screws but to no avail. Anyway, on with the ride. I found out today that the Hutchinson Python also has some disadvantages. During hard braking in the downhills it tends not to offer a lot of stopping power. This may be due to the lack of big knobs. On one particular downhill, the steppy one at the end of the Losweg out of Ottenburg, I really had to take care because the lack of suspension doesn't give one a lot of margin for error. But before long I was grinding up the hill again, accompanied by the now familiar noises of my bike. Before dropping down into Florival I took some time to eat a Cliff bar , enjoying the sun in my face.

Another couple of hills and I was back at the point where I had injected myself on the Bloso track. From Sint Agatha Rode towards Sint Joris Weert. Here I had an unfortunate accident involving a young girl. I was riding uphill towards the Kluis when the girl suddenly emerged from behind a car that was slowly riding downhill. I had no time to avoid her, not even time to reach for my brakes. My bike was stopped by my front wheel shafing against the inner legs. She bit back the pain and ran towards the car. The woman driver must have been either her mother or the mother of a friend. I stopped and looked at the woman but there was nothing much I could do. Fortunately I was riding uphill so my speed must have been no more than 10-12kph but still I pity the poor girl. Riding on towards The Kluis and then along the Paddenpoel on the Denteneerpad. I stopped to look at some weird looking trees and took some pictures.

Riding on towards the Weertse Dreef and for a last loop with a strong uphill section where I really put down the power. Legs felt strong today despite this being the fourth ride in a row. Good workout with some good power sections uphill.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 36.5K and 475 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h43mins
2177/22220
27-03-2012, 20:12 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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26-03-2012 |
Eghezee |
A well-aimed day off at work . Another sunny day promised and I was out around 11 AM for a long recovery ride on the Hilset Big Bad Wolf. My aim was to ride towards Eghezee and I chose to do so riding first along the N25 through Hamme Mille and then taking a left on the N91 and further along another left onto the N240 towards Jodoigne. Here I injected myself on the Ravel 2 and followed that towards Eghezee. The wind was blowing noticeably from my left and I imagined I would be bothered by it on the way back. I was to be proven right. In Eghezee I took a right turn onto the N91. In Noville-sur-Mehaigne I took another right to join the Ravel 2 again. A little bit further I rode towards the Ottomont burial mount and stopped to take a couple of pictures.

Further on to the N91 again and then in Geest-Gerompont-Petit-Rosieres I took a left onto the Ravel coming from Perwez. With the wind in my face I rode to catch up with the Ravel 2 again and returned towards Jodoigne. The wind was blowing from my right front end and was bothersome. Even though most of the road was downhill it felt like I was going slightly uphill all the time. In Jodoigne I circled towards the Grand Place to check out the twisted church and capture it with my Galaxy S2.

I decided to check if the castle gates in Dongelberg would be open but once again I was disappointed and had to settle from a snapshot from outside the domain. 3 white dogs were barking as I positioned myself to have a good vintage point for a picture.

Riding back towards the N240 over Lathuy I again tasted the full dryness of the northeasterly wind. I was glad to be able to take a left turn on the N240 but the last stretch over the fields of Beauvechain airport were also difficult and partly against the wind. Once in Hamme Mille I was saved by the presence of Meerdael Forest and could complete my ride relatively calmly.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 82K and 535 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h31mins
2141/21745
26-03-2012, 16:10 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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24-03-2012 |
Hallerbos |
Decided to ride to the Hallerbos. Since I only had the Hilset BBW that was more or less in working order and capable of such a distance, I fitted it with some new Hutchinson Python NG Air Light tyres. These have a reputation of being very well suited for dry terrain and offer excellent rolling capacities. I put in 2.5 bar and got on my way around half past 9. Since the Hilset has not suspension and the tyres were pretty hard I expected a harsh ride. So I decided to take as many concrete roads as possible, only occasionally passing through offroad sections. Of course , when I arrived in the Sonian Forest I had no choice but to ride along the broad forest trails. These rolled very well and I was amazed I made 23K during the first hour. These tyres really roll well. Entering the Sonian Forest in Duisburg I noticed some red bloso signage. Hmm, some future trailexploring looks mandatory. Through the Sonian forest, along the Zonienwoudlaan in Rode Saint Genese and before long I was in Dworp near the Hallerbos. I followed the signs towards kruispunt 50 before taking a left up the Dries into the Hallerbos. When I entered the forest I paused for a snack and to take a rest. I was some 40K into the ride.

Deeper into the Hallerbos and I could already spot the first of the typical blue hyacinths along with a lot of white little flowers which where already in bloom.


The up and down into Hallerbos brought me back into Dworp and I decided to take a little detour towards the Bois de Clauseweide and the hellish cobbles down the Dreve de Colipain. When I passed the football fields in Dworp I noticed a big sign advocating some mountainbike routes in the area. It looks like they originated in Beersel. There are 4 routes with the 20.5K green one being the most hilly. Looks like a fine way to spend and afternoon exploring these new mountainbike routes.

Arriving at the Sept Fontaines I noticed the water in he big pond was at a very low level. There was a lonely goose making a lot of noise standing on a stone just outside the border of the pond.

I moved on and rode back whence I came. Into the Sonian Forest again and near the Duboislaan I paused to take a picture of the megalithic monument that was erected to commemorate the Forest Guardians. It was the first time I noticed it so it couldn't have been here for very long.

Riding back through Jezus Eik and into the Kapucijnenbos I could feel the warmth of the sun on my back. When I came out of the forest I noticed the stiff breeze from the northeast which would blow against me for quite a while. Duisburg, Korbeek Dyle and then past the Zoete Waters where I decided to ride up the Keiberg and then along the Langedaalstraat. A lost loop into Vaalbeek and I was nearing my home. A good solid ride, the tyres performed brilliantly and the bike was ok. Except for some noises coming from the bottom bracket during the steep climbs. Another bike that needs some TLC?
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 90.5K and 1185 heightmeters (Garmin) in 4h02mins
2018/20730
24-03-2012, 16:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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22-03-2012 |
SVK 72K ride part One |
Beautiful spring weather today, with temperatures above 20 degrees C. So I left work early for a ride on the Litespeed Obed. I picked in on the trail of last sundays' SVK ride. I got the track off the web and decided to see how far I would get before a) it got dark or b) I got tired or c) the Obed would make too much noise in its bottom bracket. It turned out that this was quite a nice ride, the first kilometers through Heverleebos were relatively easy and I could maintain a good pace. But when the track entered Meerdael Forest and came near Sint Joris Weert, things got serious very fast. By now the fine weather and the easy kilometers had warmed me up just fine and I started on a series of climbs and descents that would get me more and more southwards.

The Obed has developed quite a bit of play in its bottom bracket and I decided this would be its last ride until the bearings are changed. A rendez-vous to that effect has been made at Filip Sport for next week. When I was grinding up the steep hills near La Malaise and in Archennes, the noises coming out of that bottom bracket began to get me worried. The play lets the chain rub against the front derailleur cage and you just feel that the crank is not turning round. When I arrived in Bossut with just under 40K on my counters I paused and had a look at the remainder of the track. I was getting tired by now - the fast ride from yesterday was also still in my legs - and with another 35K to go on the loop I decided to call it a day and ride homewards. Into Meerdael Forest , past the Warande Ponds and then along the Prosperdreef. I could not resist making an extra loop though one of the forests' most beautiful little valleys and past the Tomme. Back to the Prosperdreef and I was nearly home, very pleased with the ride.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 49K and 705 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h38mins
1927/19545
22-03-2012, 18:35 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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19-03-2012 |
Meerdael hills |
Late in the afternoon but I still decided to ride out and get a mountainbike ride in. I went for a hilly parcours taking me first through Meerdael Forest towards Sint Joris Weert where I started on a successive series of climbs and descents, taking me towards The Kluis and further south to Nethen. The trails were great, just the right amount of grip and the thousands of wheels from yesterdays SVK organised ride had well honed the sandy climb near the Savenel wall. I then rode towards the Warande Ponds, still riding up and down the slopes as much as I could. I took a picture of the work that is taking place there. Seems they are reshaping the ponds , giving it a serpentine look in the middle.

After that I crossed the Naamsesteenweg and went for a cooldown loop through Mollendaal forest. And cool down it did. I could feel the cold of the night dropped down through the cloudless sky. I think this night will be a cool one. With a nice 415 heightmeters for only 22.5K I had a good Hill Factor.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 22.5K and 415 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h21mins
1850/18640
19-03-2012, 19:55 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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18-03-2012 |
Mollendaal reverse |
The weather announded itself a bit more overcast than yesterday. There was also the possibilility of some light rain. But as it turned out it only was a little colder with an average temperature of 8 degrees C throughout the ride. I decided to do yesterdays' loop again but in the reverse direction. The SVK ride was going on so I came accross hordes of bikers on several streches. Some were very friendly and most of them saw me coming in their direction. There was one specimen who was so busy overtaking others that he did not see me and he had to be shouted at before he came out of his overzealous stupor and nearly missed me. he was wearing a shirt from De Knoet. They do have a reputation of being mindless race wannabees and this one only added to it. The trails were very nice and near the end I added a couple of little extra loops to avoid the masses of the organised ride.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 28.5K and 345 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h33mins
1827/18225
18-03-2012, 13:06 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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17-03-2012 |
Mollendaal |
I had planned a ride on the Moots YBB this weekend but when I rode out I heard the rear No Tubes tyre lose pressure fast. It turned out to be the valve that was bubbling and failing to close properly. Disappointed I turned ship and took the Litespeed Obed instead. With temperatures of around 10 degrees it was a lot colder than 2 days ago but still very pleasant for the time of year. I decided to follow my Mollendaal parcours. The tracks were mostly dry and I added a couple of sections where I did not dare pass through a month ago. The forestry exploitation was still causing the roads to be plowed and shredded by big machines but at least the traction was Ok so I could venture into the once-pleasant singletracks that were now as wide as a doubletrack. It will take a while for nature to reclaim its own.

In all I had a pleasant ride. I could see there were preparations for an organised ride going through Meerdael Forest tomorrow. I believe it must be the SVK organisation which offers some fine distances ranging from 15 to 72K. Maybe I will try to ride some of that tomorrow if the weather allows it.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 29K and 345 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h33mins
1799/17880
17-03-2012, 12:55 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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