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Tales from the Woods |
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12-05-2012 |
Hallerbos and Dworp |
I had a good plan for todays' ride. It looked like it would stay dry so I wanted to ride out for a long ride. The first one on the Moots YBB this year. This bike got new NoTubes fluid in its tyres and also a new chain, cassette, middle and big ring over the winter recess. I had plotted out the Beersel Green trail on Mapsource and combined that track with a shortened version of the 35K Hallerbos roadbook I have ridden a couple of times. This yielded me a 40K/800 heightmeters track I saved on my Garmin 705. Riding towards Hallerbos along the usual way, passing next to the Margijsbos, de Ganzepoel and then into the Sonian Forest at Duisburg, to emerge at the Middenhut whence I rode along the Zonienwoudlaan until I could pick up on the Green trail in downtown Alsemberg. The Green trail turned out to be a very nice trail. Lots of climbing and the signage was perfect. Some of the tracks are only singletracks and the trail twists and winds itself in a big counterclockwise loop around Dworp. At one point I noticed Brussels on the horizon and I also saw the Sint Pieters Leeuw tower looming in the distance. The sun was peeping through the clouds and it became a couple of degrees warmer. But still it was only 12 degrees out there today. But that suited me fine. Moots windstopper, long trousers and I didn't need to worry about getting too warm.
When I reached the Rilroheidestraat I was on the second of my planned loops for today. Into the Hallerbos for some great trails with also a lot of climbing and descending into the many valleys. The hyacynths were nearly gone but here and there they still were in bloom.
Stopping for a snack because I felt this ride drain the energy out of my legs at a quick pace.
The bike was OK except for the front derailler that was set up a little bit tight on the outward throw because I could not shift on the big ring most of the time. I need to adjust the throw just a little bit so that the cage goes a couple of mm more to the outside, making the shift to the big ring a sure thing.
The last couple of kilometers came and passed and I was back at the Rilroheide where I picked in on the Beersel Green trail again. This last section proved to be quite difficult. A combination of me getting tired and the climbs getting steeper, making my way towards Alsemberg again. I was glad to see the big church which meant I was nearly at the point where I got on the route, a couple of hours ago.
Riding back home along the Zonienwoudlaan I knew I had to pace myself. The wind was blowing in my face and I was glad for the cover of the Sonian Forest. Coming out of it into Duisburg was tough again . The legs were feeling really tired now and I also felt my shoulders and arms stiffen from the hours of biking. But I made it and it felt good to have such a solid ride out again after a couple of days of staying off of the bike due to the varying meteorological conditions. I include the GPS tracks of both the Beersel Green Route and my Hallerbos 20K ride for those who want to try either - or both - of those for themselves. Be warned, the region is quite hilly and both trails offer nearly 400 heightmeters for a 20K ride, that a HillFactor of 20.
Endomondo track
Beersel Green Route at EveryTrail EveryTrail - Find hiking trails in California and beyond
Hallerbos 20K at EveryTrail EveryTrail - Find the best hikes in California and beyond
Ride Stats : 108K and 1540 heightmeters (Garmin) in 5h40mins
3397/34945
12-05-2012, 18:35 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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07-05-2012 |
Duisburg Red |
It remained dry for the entire day and the temperatures were climbing towards a mild 16 degrees C. I rode out in the late afternoon with a definite plan. Riding over Korbeek Dyle and high over Leefdaal to reach the point - just before Duisburg - where I had left the new Duisburg Red BLOSO route a couple of weeks ago. I was set on finding the missing arrow in Duisburg so I started on the loop. A nice descent along the edge of a forest brought me to a tarmac road which I had to ride upwards towards Duisburg for a while. Taking a right turn and down along a field road into a hollow road. Left into the village and to the point where I got lost last time. But this time I spotted the Red arrow that eluded me before. Taking me into the Sonian forest towards Tervuren. Good trails here and crossing the Duisburgsesteenweg to take a long climb into the Kapucinnenbos. Taking a left along a trail that was pretty muddy at times. Flat so no way for the water to drain. Luckily there was a parallel track that was dryer. Reaching the Dronkemansdreef , crossing that and then a nice uphill followed by a zooming downhill. This will be a fast one when it is dry, now care had to be taken because there were some slippery muddy patches that needed to be avoided.
Down all the way and then along the forests' edge for a long loop, partly on tarmac, that took me back onto the Dronkemansdreef. Another muddy stretch before riding down towards the Duisburgsesteenweg again. Following this to the right care has to be taken because the trail takes a narrow path between houses , crosses the Achterstraat and continues on another path - broader this time - and then loops to the right and uphill to reach the Heidestraat. Another narrow path leads to the Pachthof Stroykens, where I assume the route starts. In the forest I noticed also Blue arrows and I did also see a Red/Green split so I think there must be 3 routes. I continue on the Red that now takes me through the fields towards the Veeweidestraat. Crossing this another uphill in a hollow roads takes me into the fields again and before long I reach the point where I injected myself on this track. Not bad for an easy ride with a couple of nice sections you might be tempted to do twice just for the fun of it.. Riding back home I took an alternative path towards Leefdaal. Alongside a big sandpit that is about to be exploited. A nice between-the-houses track leads me down towards the Schaveystraat. A new trail found ! I finish off through Meerdael Forest and am home just in time to avoid dusk.
Endomondo track
Duisburg Red Bloso at EveryTrail
EveryTrail - Find the best hikes in California and beyond
Ride Stats : 50.5K and 535 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h30mins
3289/33405
07-05-2012, 22:04 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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30-04-2012 |
Mollendaal Tracks |
Warm weather this evening so when I got home from work I took the Hilset BBW and ventured into Mollendaal Forest for a quick dash around my winter trail. Adding a climb I normally would not do but since it looked already well dried-out - mainly due to the hight temperatures of yesterday afternoon and today - I took the risk and it turned out OK. The weather felt heavy and it might turn into a thunderstorm later tonight. But for now I enjoyed good trails and heavy legs. It looks like I need to rest a day to allow my body to recuperate fully. I was surprised I still was close to a 20kph average. It didn't feel that quick. Stopped once to take a picture of what looks to be a frowning tree. There are a couple of them to be found high in the forest, close to the Mollendaal rift.
Dropping into said rift and climbing out again I arrived near the Bremberg for a last loop alaong Blanden cemetery and back into the forest.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 28K and 365 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h29mins
3048/31395
30-04-2012, 20:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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28-04-2012 |
Doode Beemde |
Weather forecast called for 90% chance of rain today. They must have gotten their percentages mixed up because it rained a little bit during the night and in the early morning but then it dried out and temperatures riding over 20 degrees C lured me out for a short recovery ride. I didn't want to burn too much calories - still recovering from last evenings' hilly ride - so I set out into Heverleebos along the Green Bloso, more or less. Coming to Korbeek Dyle I followed the river Dyle into the Doode Beemde. There were some puddles here but I still got the fenders on the Hilset so the watersplash didn't bother me. I followed the path along the old railroad path over the bridges. On both sides I could see the partly flooded forest with the trees being left alone. Rotting if they fall over, other trees growing over them. Quite a view and worth a visit.
In Sint Joris Weert I had to wait for a road race to pass and then set on towards Nethen were I climbed into Meerdael Forest. Back on the Bloso route - the Red this time - which I followed all the way to Bierbeek. The weather was heavy on me, not much wind and rather warm. But no rain so why complain, right. Into Mollendaal forest for a last stretch of last forest lanes and I had a pleasing ride . Not too stressing on the legs but a good workout nevertheless. I got the front wheel og my Moots YBB back from Filip Sport today. They managed to close the Continental Mountain King with Notubes fluid. Lets hope it stays inflated.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 38K and 260 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h42mins
2970/30500
28-04-2012, 17:54 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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27-04-2012 |
There and back again |
Today saw another warm and dry day, much needed after yesterday evenings' downpour. I anticipated on the weather forecast for this weekend by riding out and trying to get a solid ride in. I started out in Mollendaalbos and gradually made my way towards Bierbeek and into the fields that led me towards Tourinnes La Grosse and further on to Nodebais. From Nodebais I rode towards Gottechain and Cocrou, climbing up to the Grande Sarte where I followed the rode that took me to the edge of Longueville and the Chapelle du Cheneau. Here I decided to ride into the Bois de Glabais for a little technical and climbing section. Down into Morsaint and then following the singletrail upwards to Biez. Down another singletrack and I was in Grez where some festivities were taking place. The sun was dropping down fast and the cloudy skies made for an early dusk so I quickly made my way to Bossut and then past the Ferme du Grand Royal into Les Claines. Following the Naamsesteenweg for a while and the over the bridge towards the Margrietendreef for a last stretch of forest, taking me nicely into Blanden. I had a good ride, a fair amount of heightmeters and the satisfaction of beating the weekend weather.
The trails were just fine, a mix of moist forest roads and dry field roads with the occasional puddle that was easily circumvened.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 48.5k and 575 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h26mins
2933/30240
27-04-2012, 21:29 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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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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