Another fine sunny day and again I settled for an easy recovery ride. Riding up to the Haasrode Industrie parc and doing 10 laps there, with an easy pace and taking care not to put too much force on the pedals. Returning to Blanden via the Expressweg and cooling down along the newly asphalted Naamsesteenweg up to the Weertse Dreef. The legs felt good and except for a nasty wind blowing from the south the weather was great for a relaxed ride. The traffic  on the lap around the Industrie parc was not too bad. There is a bikepath there, that consist of tiles and as such is not really suited for skinny road tyres. But the road is wide and usually the cars and vans give you a wide berth.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 34K and 215 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h17mins

9659/82960

01-10-2012, 12:59 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Still taking it easy because of a sore muscle in my pelvis, I did another Vortex ride, along the Expressway to the Haasrode Industrieterrain. Doing some laps there, focussing on the leg movement and trying to keep my back straight and the power off the legs. The legs feel good but I need to take it easy in order to let the muscle in my pelvis recover. Active recovery, better than staying home but care needs to be taken . Keep the tension on the muscles low . Thats why I chose the Haasrode Industrie. The tarmac is super over there and the loop is not too difficult to complete. The wind did bother me a bit but I alternated the direction in which I took the loop to try and keep the strain to a minimum. Returning to Blanden over the Expressway I followed the Naamsesteenweg up to the Weertse Dreef again to finish off my ride with an easy cool down.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 25K and 145 heightmeters (Garmin) in 56mins

9625/82745

30-09-2012, 12:32 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Woke up with a pulled muscle in my lower back/upper buttock area last wednesday. Pulled muscles in that area take some time to heal and I took it easy for 2 days. Still stiff in the back this morning but I decided to take the Vortex out for an easy ride. Obviously putting any kind of force on the pedals was impossible so I cruised along the Expressway to the Haasrode Industrie and did one half lap there. Riding back along the same Expressway I decided to follow the new tarmac on the Naamsesteenweg up to the Weerste Dreef, and then easing back along the same road for a last local lap before calling it a day.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 15K and 95 heightmeters (Garmin) in 35mins

9600/82600

29-09-2012, 12:45 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Apart from a strong south-southwesterly wind and the occasional light shower, weather did not look too bad so I took the Vortex out for a ride. Riding through Bierbeek and Opvelp and then up towards Beauvechain and La Bruyere I had to bit down against the wind and the raindrops stung in my face. Fortunately the rain ceased and when I rode to L'Ecluse and Hoegaarden the wind was more or less in my back. Passing along
From Oorbeek I rode on to the Tiense ring and then followed the N3 into Leuven. Taking the ring around Leuven I arrived in the Ridderstraat and couldn't resist tackling the Wijnpersstraat. Damn, that thing is steep. I started out on the big ring, but soon had to sit down and shift to the inner ring. I felt my legs were going to explode. Following the ring to the Naamsepoort I then took the Kardinaal Mercierlaan and made my way to the Naamsesteenweg and into Blanden. Turned out to be a good ride , with temperatures around 16 degrees C.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 61K and 325 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h11mins

9586/82505

26-09-2012, 15:35 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After seeing the weather take a turn for the worse the last couple of days, with lots of wind yesterday and quite a bit of rain as well, I was surprised to see the sun and thought I might as well ride out. So I took the Vortex and started out over Bierbeek and Opvelp. There was quite a bit of wind blowing from the southwest and I could not avoid a couple of light showers. But it felt good to be riding a bike and with a raincoat and long trousers it wasn't all that bad out there. There were menacing clouds and the temperature was not too bad with an average of 16 degrees. I turned towards Beauvechain and Hamme Mille because it looked a lot clearer in that direction. Entering Nethen I got a second light shower. The streets dried out quickly, one advantage of the strong wind that was blowing. From Nethen I rode to Sint Joris Weert and then decided to do an extra loop over Neerijse and Egenhoven. Through Heverlee and Paken and then up to the Haasrode Industrieterrain. Following the Expressweg into Blanden I was nicely sheltered from the wind.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 46K and 325 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h41mins

9525/82120

25-09-2012, 14:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was unstable and it looked as if it could start to rain any minute. So instead of taking the Vortex out for a spin on the road, I settled on the Moots YBB instead and decided to do a Meerdael Forest loop. I started out on one of my winter loops, riding through the eastern section of Meerdael Forest in a north-south parallel pattern. A lot of climbing involved but I was glad to check out the trails, some of which I had not seen since last winter. Some were overgrown but at least the path was still there. When I finished the section near the Bremberg I made a long loop which brought me back on the same trails and I did the whole lot again, in the opposite direction. Again 350 heightmeters and around 22K. When I crossed the Weertse Dreef I decided to do an extra loop so I followed the Red Bloso for a while and then rode on to the Herculesdreef . Past the Kluis and into Vaalbeek. Crossing over to Heverlee forest for a short stint which brought me nicely to the Sappellenbos and into Blanden. With nearly 60K I was very pleased of my ride. Oh, and it did not rain throughout the entire ride. With 10 degrees C it was rather fresh but in the forest I was well sheltered from the wind.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 58.5K and 755 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h45mins

9479/81795

23-09-2012, 13:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Weather looked to be fine today so I set out on a long offroad ride. Riding up to Duisburg to pick up on the Red Bloso route. Along the way I passed through the Doode Beemde and then through Neerijse. A fine little climb here brought me to the edge of some big sand pit. Riding around it and then up the Raffelberg I came to the Red track. Following that for an interesting section with a fine singletrail downhill . Entering Duisburg I followed the Red to the big crossroads in Tervuren forest. Since I saw that the Green passed there as well I figured I would follow it from there on . This meant returning on my tracks and then I was on the Green and on the way to Vossem. Past Vossem I spotted a big dark cloud. Hmm, looked like it would rain. The trail followed some nice sections along the Hogenbos and then the rain came. Not much, but the trails were wet when I entered Moorsel for a confusing section through the town. I lost the arrows but found them again a little later and soon I was waiting to cross the busy N3. Even though I was standing on a marked overpass and it was raining, none of the blase Brussels crowd in their cars found it necessary to let me cross. So I had to wait for a long time, thank you assh0leS. When at last there was a gap in traffic I crossed an rode along the wall of the Tervuren park. Missing another arrow due to a parked car covering it, I had to retraced my steps once more to enter the park. Soon I was back at the Zevensprong and followed the Red Bloso again until I came to the Blue Bloso track. This ventured into Tervuren. Stopping at the Diependal sports centre to take a picture of the trail map.

22-09-2012, 15:33 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The YBB is back. Filip fixed my rear wheel, put in new nipples and respoked the lot. Yesterday I went over to collect the wheel, and today I was curious to try the bike out. Rode exactly the same trails I rode last monday. But the Moots got me over them a lot faster. The added rear suspension - even though it is only an inch - makes the ride more comfortable and allows to remain seated - and pedal ! - where I would otherwise have to lift my behind from the saddle. The trails were still perfect, the only thing missing was a little sunshine to light up the trails. Now it was already darkening in the forest, making it more difficult to read the trail in heavy undergrowth situations. I did NOT want to break my wheel again. But fortunately all went well and I could maintain a very high speed throughout the ride. The legs feel good.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 28K and 210 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h07mins

9347/80220

21-09-2012, 19:11 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw the return of my old and trusty Litespeed Obed. After a long while of trying to spec the correct size of bottom bracket,  Filip Sport finally found one and I got the bike back today. I decided to check it out on the trails of the Meerdael Bloso's. Doing the same ride as last tuesday, but in the opposite direction, would also be a good way to find out if a front suspension bike is faster than a non-suspended bike on those trails. While it is difficult to compare bikes in exact the same conditions from the first meters the Obed feels more comfortable. The front suspension and the slightly fatter tyres are credit to that. The tyres were inflated to 3 bars and the bike was fast. Too fast because I hit a queer stone that protruded from the soil. I hit it hard and even though at first I thought I got away with it, after a couple of 100 metres I felt the air leak out of my rear tyre. Damn, snakebite. Stopped and started replacing the inner tyre, pumping it up and got under way in a little under 10 minutes. Of course, my rhythm was broken and I needed to find the good pace again during the first couple of kilometers.

But then I got rolling again, stopping one more time to add a little more pressure to the tyre at the Mollendaal cabin. The trails were fast and even the wind in my face on the Valduc fields did not bother me. The big ring only came off during the 3 long climbs in Nethen, at the Kluis and in Sint Joris Weert. Before long I was back at the new parallel road  to the Weertse Dreef, straight through the Military compound . With 15 degrees C and a little bit of sun from time to time the conditions were excellent. My average heartrate was higher than last tuesday but so was my average. The bike gets the thumbs up, and so does Filip for delivering a well-prepared bike. I need to have the rear wheel straightened though because the hit caused a little deflection.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 33.5K and 370 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h25mins

9319/80010

20-09-2012, 19:10 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This late afternoon saw me doing the remainder of the Meerdael Bloso routes. Picking in where I left them yesterday I set out on the Blue, followed by the red and finishing with the remainder of the blue. The pace was again fast. The non-suspended Hilset BBW helped me to maintain a good pace, and most of the shorter climbs where taken on the big ring. The long climbs near the Kluis and along the Nethen Savenel wall were taken on the middle ring, but at a high pace. My legs felt strong and the temperature of 16 degrees C was ideally suited for a long-sleeved intense ride. I have to pass chez Filip Sport one of these days to pick up the Litespeed Obed and the rear wheel of the Moots YBB. Some suspension will be a welcome relief from the harsh rides the BBW offers. The steering won't be as chirurgical and there will be some softness in the suspended front end during the turns but once I get used to that I should be able to move fast with both bikes.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 33K and 355 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h27mins

9286/79640

18-09-2012, 19:25 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I rode out with the Hilset BBW for a fast and short intense ride offroad. Riding to the Green Bloso and then trying to stay on the big ring. Not so difficult for most of the track but on one place I had to shift to the middle ring - the connoisseurs will know where. I felt good and the speed remained relatively high. The tracks were dry and fast. With an average temperature of around 18 degree C and a shy sun peeping through the clouds my long sleeves made me sweat near the end of the ride. But I succeeded in putting down a fast ride . The Litespeed Obed is at last ready to roll so I might use that later this week on the same track to see what difference a bike with front suspension makes.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 28K and 205 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h10mins

9253/79285

17-09-2012, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Sunny day and I rode out with the Vortex for what I figured would be around 60-70K. Starting out on my usual loop through Bierbeek and then in Opvelp taking a left turn towards Beauvechain and La Bruyere. On the climb out of Opvelp I overtook 2 bikers. Asking if they would ride together with me for a while I spotted that one of them was riding a beautiful Litespeed Archon. So we got chatting and talking about the bike it turned out to be a 2011 model he got as a replacement for a broken Vortex. I had heard of the late Vortex being a little too light in the headset area and indeed that was also the spot where his had developed a crack. But the Archon - the heir of the Vortex - has been inforced around this area. Not the most beautiful headset tube ever with its fat welds but they seem to be doing the trick of keeping the frame together. The heritage is obvious, the many faceted upper tube and the swaying seatstays are typical of the high-end Litespeed frames. He was accompanied by an Italian who was training for a triathlon. They were good companions until I took a left towards Jodoigne and they veered to the right towards Pietrebais on the N240. Passing Jodoigne I picked up on the Ravel 2 towards Eghezee. Entering Eghezee I took a right towards Mehaigne and Aische-en-Refail . The western wind was blowing hard on the plains and I was glad to turn towards the north and  reach Perwez. Riding on towards Thorembais and Maleves-Sainte-Marie-Wastines I reached Opprebais. Little venture to the west again before turning right and entering Incourt. Crossing the N91 I came to Dongelberg where I took a left towards Lathuy . Straight on towards Melin and the back into the wind to reach the N240 again. I decided to add a loop over La Bruyere, Meldert and Hoksem. From Hoksem the successive climbs towards Kumtich and then from Kumtich to Willebringen took a lot out of me. The wind was adding an extra difficulty but I pressed on and reached Neervelp and then tackled to long climb towards the Bierbeek Watertower. The last kilometers were ridden on automatic pilot. Haasrode and ultimately Blanden passed under my wheels. A solid ride as it turned out. The weather was great, sunny, not too warm but I could have done with a little less wind.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 105K and 665 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h38mins30secs

9225/79080

16-09-2012, 15:07 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw me back on the Litespeed Vortex for a ride on the road. It was rather cold and there was a fresh wind blowing from the west. I rode out over Bierbeek, Opvelp and Beauvechain towards La Bruyere. There I turned left to reach L'Ecluse and Meldert. Straight on to Hoegaarden where I had to be careful in the downhill along the narrow tarmac road. There were plenty of wet patches and with the skinny race tyres every little bit of mud becomes a slippery trap.
Made it though and I turned back to start the ascent towards the Marollenkapel. Down again and then into Oorbeek. From Oorbeek I rode to Hoksem and then up Hoksemberg towards Kumtich. From Kumtich I turned into the wind towards Willebringen and onwards to Honsem. Taking a right turn here I rode into Opvelp and then took another right towards Neervelp. From here I took a left taking me into Bremt. Onwards along the E40 to reach the Haasrode Industrie terrain where I did a couple of laps before following the Expressweg into Blanden.

15-09-2012, 13:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw some light drizzle and a lot of wind. So I either took the mountainbike or I stayed home. I chose the former. The forest was still pretty dry and it seemed like I recovered well from the past 2 days of exploring the offroad. I set out in Heverlee Forest for a fluid ride along the bigger trails, interspersed by short venues into smaller singletrails. The BBW gave me hell , no suspension meant I had to take the most of the multiple small and big bumps, the wheels and frame filtering out only so much. Especially the alu/carbon combination of the Extralite handlebar and stem, coupled to a stiff pace carbon fork gave me hell. I should really change these for titanium. I have a Morati M-bar sitting idle for years and there are lots of titanium forks on Ebay. I might look into that once my Moots Psychlo-X is build up.
From Heverlee forest I set course for the Zoete Waters, into the Kouter forest and onwards into Meerdael forest. Still looking for different trails I zigzagged through to reach Nethen. Here the heightmeters accumulated quickly and before long I decided to move along in the direction of Valduc for a stretch along the Red Bloso towards Mollendaal forest. From here I turned west and made my way back into Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 40K and 475 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h56mins30secs

9055/77940

14-09-2012, 19:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another mountainbike ride since I decided to join the KBC MTB Club on their weekly ride. It has been a while and with the summer season nearly open the rides become shorter due to lack of sunlight. Starting at 6.30PM in Haasrode we set out for Korbeek Lo and Linden. Here we had a bit of fun in the forest with its steep climbs and descents. Darkness fell and I had to urge them to start heading back for Haasrode. Crossing the N2 I decided to let them find their own way back. We split up into 3 groups. Most of them didn't bring lights. I had my Lupine Tesla with me and I set a course for home through Korbeek Lo and then towards Haasrode Industrie and the Expressweg. I had a good ride, I would only advise them to either leave an hour sooner or bring lights so we can make it a nightride. The forests are tricky in the fading light and accidents tend to happen sooner to the unsafe or overly bold.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 45k and 460 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h10mins

9015/77465

13-09-2012, 21:34 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

With the weather taking a turn for the worse, with temperature dropping below 15 degrees C, with a cold wind blowing, and because it had been quite a while since my last venture on a mountainbike, I decided to risk riding in the forest. During my walk yesterday I did not spot any horseflies so I am quite confident their season is at an end. Nevertheless I dressed up well, covering all in long sleeves and long pants. Taking the only mountainbike that was in running order - not counting the Merlin which would be serious overkill in Meerdael Forest - the Hilset BBW was my steed today. The change in position from the 4 months on the road bike was stunning. I pumped up my Hutchinson Python Airs and still they felt too soft during the first couple of K. Later on I would perceive them as being too hard because my hands began to hurt from holding on to the stiff front end. I chose fast and wide forest trails, not wanting to drop the speed to horsefly pace. Making a big loop in the fields of Valduc and Hamme Mille before returning to the forest for a good hour of solid biking. After the initial shock my body became used to the mountainbike quirks again. I still have some road mileage in me though so I am hoping the weather will change again to a more balmy 20 degrees C during the next weeks.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 25K and 210 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h03mins30secs

8970/77005

12-09-2012, 19:41 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another beautiful sunny day and I rode out quarter to 10 again. After yesterdays' intense ride I decided to take it easy today. Focussing on relaxed riding without putting too much strain on my muscles. That also meant being overtaken a couple of times and even though I could, I did not attempt to follow the overtakee . I started out over Egenhoven and downtown Bertem and then made my way to the Tervuursesteenweg in the direction of Tervuren. Following that for a while until I took a left turn to enter Vossem. From there I rode up to Duisburg and continued to Eizer and Overijse. Dropping down to the Frans Verbeeklaan I decided to tackle the Hagaard, a steep short climb which brought me up to the N263 which I crossed and then I followed the Reutenbeek and made my way to the Geitenhoek and Terhulst. Entering Brabant Walloon now for a short while into Rosieres and then back into the Flemish province of Brabant when I entered Tombeek. Up to Ottenburg and then onwards along the Vetsaart through Sint Agatha Rode. Taking a left towards the Wolfshagen which I followed to Neerijse. Here I joined the Sint Jansberg Steenweg which took me back to Egenhoven. Crossing into Heverlee and then back home along the Naamsesteenweg. Even though I accumulated quite a bit of heightmeters I experienced this as a relaxed recovery ride. Near the end I could up the speed a little bit with the gentle southern wind pushing me along. The sun and light breeze provided excellent conditions for a cycle outing. 

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 70K and 530 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h32mins30secs

8945/76795

09-09-2012, 13:55 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Beautiful sunny weather this morning. When I rode out around a quarter to 10 it was still cold but it warmed up fast. The wind seemed to be blowing from the south and there was not a cloud in the sky. I rode to Hoegaarden where I took the Ravel 2 in the direction of Namur. Pretty soon I was joined by another cyclist who asked if he could stay behind me. I did not mind and set a good pace. When I overtook 2 other cyclists they also stayed behind me so the four of us rode on towards Eghezee. Two of them took other directions but the first one stayed with me until I commenced the long downhill into Namur. He left some space. I was making good time because when I came to the end of the Ravel I had less than 2 hours of riding time. Which is a first for me. Turning around and starting the 7K climb out of Namur I had the wind - and the sun - in my back. I could enjoy a great view of the plains surrounding the Ravel when I rode towards Longchamps. Past Eghezee and another climb up to the fields past Hottomont. From there it was slowly downhill until I reached Jodoigne. I was still going fast because I passed the 3 hours with 88km on my GPS. From Jodoigne to Hoegaarden where I had to take the long climb up to Sint Katharine Hauthem. From there a last stretch on tarmac thought Meldert and Opvelp into Bierbeek. From Bierbeek I set towards the Haasrode Industrie for what seems to have become my standard last loop these days. Along the Expressweg towards Blanden closing a long and fast ride. With an average heartrate of 140 bpm I have put in a very solid training . 

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 117.5K and 600 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h59mins

8875/76265

08-09-2012, 14:54 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

We are experiencing some fine weather for the beginning of september. When I rode out around 5.30pm the temperature was still over 25 degrees C. Heading for the Zoete Waters over Vaalbeek I continued towards Sint Joris Weert, Nethen and Hamme Mille. Came upon some "Grinta" arrows that I followed through Tourinnes until I reached Beauvechain. The arrows pointed left, but I took a right turn towards La Bruyere. Here I headed for L'Ecluse and Meldert, returning to Beauvechain afterwards. Straight on to Opvelp and then left towards Bierbeek. With the setting sun in my face I rode to the Haasrode Industrie where I did an extra lap before returning to Blanden along the Expressweg. The legs felt fine and I could maintain a good speed throughout this ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 55.5K and 310 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h48mins30secs

8757/75665

07-09-2012, 20:54 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Went out for a little lap this evening. The weather was less brilliant than yesterday with cloudy skies but still 22 degrees C. The wind was blowing from the north, adding to the feeling of freshness. Long sleeves. Rode out over Bierbeek and Opvelp. The long climb out of Opvelp went fine, I had a gut on a mountainbike in my sight. He was really fast and I only caught him at the top of the hill. In Beauvechain we split and I wa son my own riding fast through Tourinnes and Hamme Mille. The mac-adam roads were not the best for smooth riding. Crossing the N25 and I was on tarmac speeding towards Nethen and on to Sint Joris Weert. There was quite a bit of car traffic here and with my speed I had to take care not to get squeezed or blocked. But all went well and at the Zoete Waters I was again on mac-adam for a couple of kilometers until I reached Vaalbeek and its seperate bikepath. Into Blanden and in just over an hour I was back home. Nice and quick fun ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 32K and 195 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h02mins30secs

8702/75355

05-09-2012, 19:27 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf