Home late from work but I still wanted to do an 80K ride so I set out with a good pace on the Vortex around 5.30pm. From Bierbeek over Meldert to Hoegaarden I injected myself on the Ravel 2. The wind was blowing from the south but luckily the Ravels shrubberies sheltered me most of the time. Only on a couple of exposed stretches in the fields did I have to push a little harde. Through Jodoigne and arriving at Eghezee I took a sharp turn to the right and followed the N91 for a long and fast stretch until I reached Pietrebais. The wind was blowing in my favour now and I maintained a good speed. Crossing the N240 I rode along and passed the 60K mark in exactly 2 hours. Taking a fast turn on some bad mac-adam I had a nasty shock in my real wheel and indeed, snakebite! The first flat in 2 years on this bike and I had to change the inner tyre and pump it up with my Blackburn framefit pump. This proved to be a great pump because in no time and without any effort my tyre was inflated to 7 bars and I could continue. What a blessing to have this pump. It looks weird on the bike but at times like these you are glad to have it. In less than 8 minutes I was back on the road. Through La Bruyere and then passed Beauvechain where I beat my strava record on the climb out of Beauvechain towards Opvelp. In Opvelp I turned left and into the sun for teh stretch towards Bierbeek. From Bierbeek I made for the haasrode Industrie and finished my ride along the Expressweg into Blanden. I was not surprised to see my 31kph average. I really felt good today and even with the wind against me I could maintain a good speed. With a 129bpm average heartrate this turned out to be a very good workout and a great ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 81K and 425 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h36mins

8320/72835

27-08-2012, 21:28 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw a lot of showers and a fierce wind blowing. Around 4pm things dried out and around 6pm I decided to ride out for a couple of hours. Things went fast with the wind more or less in my advantage as I rode from Bierbeek over Opvelp to Beauvechain, onwards to La Bruyere and then through L'Ecluse and Hoegaarden. I decided to ride to Tienen and return straight to Leuven along the N3. Here the wind was more to my disadvantage but I managed to keep my speed. Arriving in Leuven I went for a lap around it. had to climb the Keizersberg since the bikepath along the Ludenscheidsingel was closed. Back on the Singel I made my way to the Naamsepoort. From there I rode along the Kardinaal Mercierlaan to Heverlee and the Zoete Waters to finish off through Vaalbeek and into Blanden. The weather was rather cool with only 22 degrees but at least it stayed dry and the wind seemed to settle down near the end of the ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 64K and 390 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h09mins

8239/72410

26-08-2012, 21:17 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

From the weather forecast it looked like this weekend would be one determined by rain showers and gusty wind. Not wanting to sit home and watch the time glide by I decided to give it a shot and rode out . Starting over Heverlee and Egenhoven I was soon forced to stop and hide, put on my Assos raincoat and wait until the shower passed. On wet roads I rode on to Korbeek Dyle and the Zoete Waters. The wind was misbehaving from the southwest but I decided to risk it and set towards Sint Joris Weert and Nethen. Lo and behold, the roads were dry here. Onwards to Hamme Mille and then upwards to the fields above Pietrebais. Turning to the 1st Wing Airbase the wind was in my favor now and cruising along against 40kph I passed through La Bruyere and set to Meldert. Here I chose the way back home since another little shower was falling and the streets were damp again. Passing through Opvelp and Bierbeek I rode to the Haasrode Industrie for a couple of laps. The wind was fierce now and the last stretch along the Expressweg was not an easy one with the wind blowing full in my face.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 57K and 360 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h59mins

8175/72020

25-08-2012, 14:48 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Warm and sunny when I left but already dark clouds seemed to be gathering at the horizon. The forecast called for showers in the evening and night, the first this month. So I settled for a fast short lap. Speeding through Bierbeek, Opvelp and Beauvechain and braving the breeze while making my way through Tourinnes, Hamme Mille and Nethen to Sint Joris Weert. There was a lot of car traffic and care had to be taken from both sides. Finishing the ride along the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek putting just the right amount of stress on my muscles to call it a fun ride. Near the end the clouds were dark and threatening and just after I arrived home some light rain started to fall. A blessing for nature.

Endomondo track


 Ride Stats : 31.5K and 190 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h03mins

8118/71660

24-08-2012, 19:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another dry and sunny day so I started out again around 5pm. On the same route as yesterday, Bierbeek to Opvelp, then Beauvechain and at La Bruyere take a left towards L'Ecluse. Passing high above Meldert and taking a right turn to Hoegaarden. In Hoegaarden climbing out to the Goudberg Geosite and then towards Oorbeek and Kumtich. My speed was a lot faster than yesterday. Legs felt better and there seemed to be less wind also. Contributing to a higher average . From Kumtich I took the wind in stride to climb to the E40. Passing that I came into Willebringen and then took the small tarmac road to Neervelp. From Neervelp I reached Bremt and then made my way parallel to the E40 towards Bierbeek and Haasrode Industrie. The last stretch along the Expressweg was a blast for my legs. They felt strong and enduring.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 51K and 355 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h43mins

8087/71470

23-08-2012, 19:52 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A days' rest yesterday so today I was fresh for a new ride. The weather had turned a bit; still sunny but with a cool breeze from the southwest it felt less hot to ride out. My legs were a bit full but I still managed a good average speed at a low average heartrate. I set out over Bierbeek, Opvelp, Beauvechain and La Bruyere and the took a left towards L'Ecluse. From Ecluse I rode to Hoegaarden where I set for the Goudberg Geosite and then turned into the wind on my way to Oorbeek and Kumtich. Willebringen , Neervelp and Bremt were next and I finished my ride  over the Haasrode Industrie and along the Expressweg into Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 51K and 365 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h50mins

8036/71115

22-08-2012, 20:07 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After the ontense heat of the last two days, today was a little bit less warm, and when I rode out at 5pm the sun was shaded and there was a little bit of wind blowing from the north. Cooler wind which was a joy for once. I started out along Haasrode Industrie and then set for Neervelp and Willebringen. Up and down to Kumtich and Oorbeek and then up to the Goudberg geosite. Down to Hoegaarden and on to the Ravel 2 which brought me to Jodoigne. Takin a double right here through the little city and I was on the N240 climbing out of the valley of the Grande Gette . Past Melin and then right past the 1st Wing and through La Bruyere. I added a loop over L'Ecluse and Meldert before setting sail for Beauvechain and Opvelp. With the wind in my face but for once I did not mind because it had a nice cooling effect. Through Bierbeek and Haasrode and I was yet again speeding down into Blanden. Had a good ride with an average heartrate of only 114bpm even though my average speed was above 29kph. Must have been recovering well.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 68.5K and 415 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h20mins

7985/70750

20-08-2012, 20:35 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today even hotter weather was forecast so I rode out at 7am when temps were already above 20 degrees C with the sun just over the horizon. The passages under the trees bordering the route to Meldert were cool and the climb next to Meldert bos was a relief. Into Hoegaarden and onto the Ravel 2 for a stretch of 35K on a small tarmac road bordered at times by shrubberies, offering coolness but also a variety of flies. Downhill towards Namur I stopped when I reached Vedrin. 2 hours out and I turned around for the climb back to the crest and then the long downhill to Eghezee. From Eghezee the Ravel 2 climbs up to the ancient battlefield overlooking the Hottomont tomb. From then onwards the trail goes downhill again towards Jodoigne. It was just past 10am when I passed Jodoigne for the second time today and all that was left was riding to Hoegaarden and then climb out of that town to the road towards Meldert. The sun was burning now and I did not waste any time getting back home, just before 11am. Had a good long ride and I was back home before it really got hot out there.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 110.5K and 545 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h51mins

7917/70335

19-08-2012, 12:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Hot weather forecast for today, so I started at 8AM in an effort to beat the heat. Starting with a temperature already around 20 degrees C and the wind which was slowly picking up from the southeast. I rode towards Hoegaarden where I picked in on the Ravel 2. Following that past Eghezee to reach Longchamps. The wind was nicely sheltered by the shrubberies around the Ravel track. I was taking it easy on the long steady uphill from Jodoigne to Eghezee. Arriving in Longchamps I took a right turn and rode towards Perwez, passing first through Mehaigne and Aische-en-Refail along the way. The wind was in my back now and the sun also. From Perwez I took the Ravel coming from Gembloux back to where it merges with the Ravel 2 . Arriving at Hoegaarden again I decided to ride past the Goudberg geosite and then onwards to Oorbeek and Kumtich. Pausing for a while at the geosite I took a couple of pictures before moving on.

18-08-2012, 13:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A quick dash around my parcours involving Bierbeek, Opvelp, Beauvechain, La Bruyere,l'Ecluse, Meldert, Beauvechain, Opvelp, Bierbeek and Haasrode. I felt surprisingly good after yesterdays' long ride in the blazing sun. My legs were strong and I could keep a hight average speed throughout the entire ride. The wind was blowing from the south-southwest and bothered me some when I rode from Meldert back to Beauvechain. It was not as hot as yesterday, only around 26 degrees in the late afternoon when I rode out.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 41.5K and 245 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h22mins

7705/69265

16-08-2012, 20:17 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A day off from work and the weather looked to be hot and dry. Set out over Bierbeek and Opvelp towards Beauvechain and La Bruyere. Past the 1st Wing Airbase I picked up on the trail of the Circuit des Carrieres. Along the N240 for a short while and then turning left towards Melin and Gobertange. Some cobbles when arriving into Saint-Marie-Geest. Crossing the N29 and I was in the fields past Saint Jean Geest. The sun was out in full force and there was a dry wind blowing from the south-east. I felt a little tired from the past couple of days and the constant succession of little hills and descents, along with the wind, were taking their toll on my legs. Arriving in Pietrain I could relax a bit when following the N222 towards the northeast past Pietremeau. Turning right towards Noduwez and further on to Orp Le Grand put me in the wind again. The open landscapes offered no shadow and no remorse from the blowing wind. In Orp I stopped to take a picture of the chateau.

I remember coming here with my dad to follow the Trophee 875, a motocross racing event, in the late 90ies. Past Orp I took a left towards Petit Hallet and then right over the crest to Merdorp. I was very close to Hannut and a long way from home. The track was turning slowly towards the west now and the wind was starting to work more and more to my advantage. Past Merdorp I reached Wasseiges where the track turned around and then took a western direction to Branchon and Taviers. I was riding on the N624 and enjoying a very smooth tarmac. Past Taviers the trail took to the north and before long I was in Ramillies and under way to Bomal. The sun was starting to get to me and my bottle of drink was getting empty. I was glad to see the chateau of Dongelberg which meant I was getting closer to Incourt and indeed, after passing near the Carrieres of Dongelberg and crossing the N91, I was on my way to Longueville and Grez-Doiceau. Here the Circuit comes to its end. I rode towards Pietrebais and enjoyed the several life-size dolls on display in its streets. The theme seems to be "mariage". Next time I must stop and take some pictures. Today I was pressed to ride on because the heat was starting to get to me. My feet hurt and my bottle was nearly empty. Crossing the Chaussee de Namur and taking a small tarmac road though the fields to reach the N240, I was at the end of the Circuit. So I rode back to La Bruyere and Beauvechain, the exact opposite of earlier this morning. I was glad to arrive home where I could enjoy a nice cold drink and start my recovery from what turned out to be quite a nice ride, made tougher by the warmth and the wind in the first half. I had an average temperature of 31 degrees C, real summer heat.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 117K and 785 heightmeters (Garmin) in 4h13mins

7664/69020

15-08-2012, 15:38 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another quiet and warm afternoon so I set out for exact the same ride as I did yesterday. I just added a little loop from exiting L'Ecluse to Meldert to make it around 40K. The legs felt fine and the lack of wind made it easy to maintain a good speed throughout the entire ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 41K and 250 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h24mins

7547/68235

14-08-2012, 19:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Fun ride this late afternoon. Setting out over Bierbeek and Opvelp towards Beauvechain and straight through to La Bruyere. Left and then right into L'Ecluse. Out of L'Ecluse and then left again towards Beauvechain where I had to tackle the second long steady climb today. Fast legs and the shorter distance meant I did not have to hold back and just let the bike go. Riding back to Opvelp, left into Bierbeek and then speeding home along Haasrode and Blanden the average speed was well in the 30kph region. The weather was great with 28 degrees C on average and just the lightest breeze out of the north-northeast.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 37.5K and 215 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h15mins

7506/67985

13-08-2012, 18:29 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After watching Jaroslav Kuhlavy take the Olympic Gold in the XC mountainbike race in Hadleigh Park, I rode out for a medium-length ride myself. I wanted to check out the church of Neerheylissem so I again took the road through  Meldert and Hoegaarden, Outgaerden and Goetsenhoven - where I had to wait for a local cycling event to pass - and then to Meer where I took a right to reach the Brabant Walloon region and the Helecine village. Arriving in Neerheylissem I stopped near the church for a couple of pictures of this 12th century monumental building..

On towards Opheylissem where I had another appointment, this time with the old abbey which was turned into a Provincial protected building. Only a couple of buildings remain from the original abbey but they have been beautifully restored. The place is now very popular with tourists.

From Helecine I set towards Jodoigne on the N222 which took me with good speed through Pietrain and into Jodoigne. On towards Dongelberg and crossing the N91 into Incourt and on to Longueville. The sun was out in full splendour and even though I left at 4PM it was still strong and warm. Down to Grez where I took the direction to Hamme Mille along the N25. From Hamme Mille I finished my right with my usual loop through Beauvechain, Opvelp, Bierbeek and Haasrode. The wind was not as strong as yesterday and it looked to have shifted towards the southwest. With an average temperature of 28 degrees this was a very pleasant ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 78.5K and 535 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h46mins

7469/67770

12-08-2012, 21:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After watching French chica Julie Bresset take the Olympic Gold in the Womens' XC Mountainbike race in London, I strode with my Vortex on the roads. Following a track I found on the WWW I set out towards Meldert and Hoegaarden. Passing Outgaerden and Goetsenhoven I turned towards Helecine past Meer. Neerheylissem and Opheylissem passed - have to stop one time and take a picture of the marvelous old church in Neerheylissem - and I rode onwards to reach Linsmeau - the easternmost point of my ride. The wind had been blowing in my face up to here - a strong breeze from the southeast - but now I turned towards the southwest and things went more smoothly. Reaching the N240 just before Enines and turning right towards Jodoigne. Not for long since the track mad a loop towards Pietrain before taking the direction of Jodoigne again, this time following the N222. In Jodoigne I left the track for a detour towards Dongelberg to check if the castle was accessible. Nope, no luck. Onwards to reach the N91 which I followed towards Pietrebais. Here I turned to the right to pick up on the trail again crossing the N240 and riding into La Bruyere. On well-known roads here as I passed Beauvechain, Tourinnes, Nethen and Sint Joris Weert. The last loop took me to the Sint Jansberg steenweg in Neerijse, following that until I reached Korbeek Dyle. Here the track took a right turn again and set for the Zoete Waters. Passing though Vaalbeek I reached Blanden with a good distance behind me. The weather was splendid with temperatures around 26 degrees C and bright sunshine. The steady breeze from the southeast kept it from becoming too warm.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 91.5K and 620 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h16mins

7390/67235

11-08-2012, 19:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was fine this evening so I took out for a ride. Starting out towards Korbeek Dyle where I took the Sint Jansbergsteenweg through Neerijse and Huldenberg towards Overijse. Here I took a right towards Hoeilaart. I stopped chez Filip Sport to have him take a look at my rear derailleur. The chain is making a lot of noise on the cassette in the lower gears. Filip fiddled a little but the sound did not go away. I rode on and climbed up to Maleizen and then set sail towards Terlanen. Right to Wavre and then to Ottenburg whence I descended into Florival. Through Pecrot and then up the Rue de Pecrot on the 15% slope to reach Nethen. Sint Joris Weert and the Zoete Waters and then onwards to Oud-Heverlee. I decided to add another loop so set towards Heverlee and then up to the Industriepark. Following the Expressweg brought me to Blanden with a nice average for what turned out to be a hilly ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 69K and 505 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h24mins

7299/66615

10-08-2012, 21:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw the return of clement weather. When I got home from work I grabbed my Vortex and set forth towards the Leuvense vaart. Riding through Leuven was a bit hairy but went well and once I was next to the water things settled down quickly in a good rhythm. The wind was blowing against me but it was not too strong and I quickly covered the 34K distance to Mechelen. Turning next to the Coloma I rode back towards Leuven. Making good speed now and my average went up towards 30kph. I did close to 35kph on some sections. I had a biker in my wheel most of the time. He never took over but I didn't actually mind. I was training and he was cheating his average. When I arrived next to Leuven again I took the east side and rode over de Kop of Kessel Lo back to the Tiensesteenweg. From the Mol I followed the Expresweg back into Blanden. Good solid tempo training in mild weather. Around 24 degrees C on average.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 69K and 165 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h17mins

7230/66110

09-08-2012, 21:10 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather didn't look too stable and after a days' rest I wanted to ease my legs back into cycling by doing some controlled laps. So I rode towards the Haasrode Industrieterrein for a couple of 2.3K laps. It was rather busy with people leaving from work but except for one a$$hole who suddenly braked whilst riding in front of me - just for the fun of it - I didn't have any trouble with the cars . I rode the laps at a good speed but didn't pull through on the climb. After an hours worth I rode back home. When I arrived it started to drizzle so I was very lucky to have hit a dry spell for training.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 34.5K and 230 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h17mins

7161/65945

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

Felt Ok when waking up this morning so I decided to ride out and do some active recovery. Starting out over Egenhoven and taking the Sint Jansberg Steenweg to Overijse and then riding up to Maleizen I liked the feeling in my legs. So I settled for a bigger ride, making my way towards Rosieres and then up and down into Bierges. Passing through Wavre for a long climb to the Chaussee de Huy. Left to Dion and then up to the Golf de Bercuit, where I managed to beat my fastest time. Not bad after yesterdays' ride. Down into Grez and then along the N25 to Hamme Mille. Yet another extra loop brough me to Nodebais, whence I rode on to Beauvechain. Here I took a right turn and then left to Meldert. Onwards to Oorbeek and then left to Hoksem. The climb out of Hoksem to Kumtich was also good for a personal record. Double right in Kumtich and I was on my way to Willebringen. Through Neervelp and up towards the Bierbeek water tower. Taking a right and then a left to follow the tarmac road parallel to the E40. Into the Haasrode Industrie for a big lap and then back to Blanden along the Expressway. I was surprised to see the distance when I got home. That makes 227.5K for this weekend.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 93.5K and 760 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h18mins

7121/67715

05-08-2012, 14:39 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today the weather was fine, around 20 degrees C when I rode out and the wind was moderate. Some cloud cover but the sun burst through enough to make me apply some sunscreen before heading out for what would turn out to be a 5 hour ride. I set out on the Lf6a - Vlaanderen Fietsroute , following this all the way to Heks, deep in the province of Limburg. Riding east I could feel the wind blowing in my advantage and I also felt it getting stronger. This promised some difficulty on the return trip. Passing Velm and entering Kerkom, this marked the furthest point I ever ventured on the Lf6a. The landscape once past Velm was ondulating more and more . Lots of apple and pear trees, the roads were mostly smaller tarmac affairs which rolled well. From time to time I passed a little forest or collection of trees and shrubberies . I was depending on the Lf6a signage and - of course - I also had the GPS track as a backup. Passing through Aalst, Brustem and then passing little villages with cute names like Velshoven, Helschoven, Gutshoven I ventured further and further towards the east. Passing Broekhoven I saw that I was entering the village of Heks, my furthest point for today. Looking on my Edge 705 I noticed I was 65K from home. Stopping for a little snack and to take some pictures of the little Heks' church.

Riding back towards Brustem I had to climb up some hills which proved quite difficult with the wind now blowing strongly in my face. Good thing the track zigzagged from time to time but most of the time I was facing the wind. The sun provided me with warmth and the strong wind made me thirsty. Once back in Velm I was counting back the kilometers and the villages that passed brought me closer and closer to home. This was turning out to be my longest road bike ride - ever. With 134km and just under 5 hours it was quite a ride. I felt OK but I was glad to be home. Especially the wind was my strongest adversary today. Good thing the forecast rain showers never appeared. Good solid ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 134K and 905 heightmeters (Garmin) in 4h57mins

7028/64955

04-08-2012, 17:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf