It still was warm today with temperatures just over 15 degrees but when I got home it had already started to rain very lightly. Still needed to recover from yesterdays' ride so my decision to stay inside and train an hour on the Tacx Satori was quickly made.

Ride Stats : 45K in 01h01mins

2824/6755

08-03-2013, 18:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw overcast but still relatively warm weather. When I got home from work I decided on another offroad ride. Riding out around 4.30pm I had around 2 hours of sunlight left. I started out on the Blue Meerdael Bloso. In the beginning it was dry but soon it began to rain very lightly. As the kilometers rode on and I came near to the Kluis I decided to add a couple of extra climbs. I felt good and with the Mountain King/Rocket Ron combo on my Obed I had good traction. A lot of the trails were in a very bad shape due to forestry works but even that did not stop me and I conquered them all. When I set on the long climb along the Savenel wall I had already close to 300 heightmeters on my Garmin. When I had crossed the Weertsedreef earlier I noticed that the statue of the Bosprotter had regained its place. It looks like it got a couple of layers of varnish. That would protect it from the elements in the coming years.
Dove down towards the Warande pond and then crossed the Naamsesteenweg. I was on the Red Bloso now and it started to rain a little bit harder. Nothing really bad but the trails got wetter. Especially some of the passages on cobbles were taken with great care. Darkness was upon me by now and I had to avoid some of the darker passages in the forest, opting instead for bigger roads with more visibility and less potholes. Into Vaalbeek for a last loop along the Prosperdreef and then into Blanden. It was nearly dark now and I was glad I made it in time out of the forest.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 43.5K and 555 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h09mins

2780/6755

07-03-2013, 19:40 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After yesterdays' fine but exhausting offroad stint I decided to take it easy this evening and settled for a relaxed recovery ride on the Hilset on the Tacx Satori . Keeping a good pace and enjoying an E-book on my Kindle whilst listening to my favorite music on Spotify I whizzed away an hours' worth of cycling.

Ride Stats : 43K in 01h01mins

2736/6200

06-03-2013, 21:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw the return of the sun and positive temperatures. Temps were up as high as 18 degrees C when I rode out with the Litespeed Obed. On the hard Hutchinson Python Airs which offer a very fast ride but little in terms of comfort, especially pumped up to 2 bars. Good thing the titanium frames and the front suspension take the edge off the nastiest bumps. I decided on a Perimeter ride around Meerdael Forest. Starting clockwise in Blanden, then making my way to the Bremberg and the outskirts of Bierbeek and Mollendaal. I sticked mostly to the bigger tracks but couldn't resist the occasional singletrail. The forest was smelling fresh and the air was full of scents of nature awakening after a long winter sleep. I rode into Mille for a loop outside the forest. The trails were mostly dry and the cobbles didn't bother me a single bit. Returning to Meerdael Forest near Valduc, crossing the Naamsesteenweg and then entering the western forest for an intenser and hillier intermezzo. My legs were strong but not strong enough to stay on the middle ring. I had to shift to the granny often to keep the tension on the muscles from raising too high. The downhills were taken confidently, the grip of the Pythons was amply sufficient on the forest floor. Steep hills and steep descents kept on following each other while I made my way to Nethen and the Kluis area.

05-03-2013, 19:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After this weekends' intense and long rides - for the state of the season that is - I could do with a little recovery ride today. The sun was shining outside and the temperatures were up to 14 degrees C but I had to much daylight left to ride out. And I also wanted to recover. So I got on the Tacx Satori for a relatively easy 30 minutes on resistance 2.

Ride Stats : 21K in 00h31mins

2651.5/5730

04-03-2013, 18:23 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Ready for another mixed ride with the Obed. I started out early and it still was cold with temperatures around 2 degrees C. But it was dry and the sun looked like it wanted to play a more important role than yesterday. I started out along the N25 and then into Meerdael Forest to reach Mollendaal. From there I had my first 2.5K section of cobbles, over the plain to Beauvechain. With the Hutchinson Python Airs these were pleasant and easily digested. From Beuvechain I rode to La Bruyere and then into L'Ecluse. Through the small tarmac road I reached Hoegaarden. To Zetrud-Lumay and on the Ravel 2 for a short stint before taking a right turn into Saint-Marie-Geest. Towards Saint-Jean-Geest and then onto a second section of cobbles. These stretch for 2K and take me to Jodoigne. Crossing the N240 I set towards Dongelberg. No luck with the castle gate - it was closed - so I rode on through Incourt towards Longueville. The wind bothered me a bit , blowing from the East, but it was getting marginally warmer and I did not complain. From Longueville though Biez and then down into Grez. From Grez I rode to Bossut and made my way through another cobble section leading me over La Malaise towards Pecrot. Steep uphill had me drop the chain on the 24 in front and then I was on my way down to Nethen. I passed from Nethen to Sint Joris Weert where I tackled the Speelbergstraat again on my way to the Weertse Dreef. The last section was the same as yesterday with a passage through Vaalbeek before follwing the Brainestraat to the Naamsesteenweg and then into the Duivenstraat .

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 66.5K and 590 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h55mins

2630/5730

03-03-2013, 13:25 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw dry but cold weather. A little breeze from the northeast would not bother me whilst I started my ride though Meerdael Forest towards Sint Joris Weert. Over the Wolfshagen ridge and into Loonbeek. Out of the Ijse Valley and soon I was in Duisbutg where I entered the Sonian Forest. I had remarked that the offroad trails where sweating, the thaw had set in. Sticking to the bigger roads I made good progress and soon I was past Jezus Eik and rode straight on towards Sint Genesius Rode. Following the western edge of the forest I came to Argentueil, at the edge of Waterloo. Undercrossing the R0 and then turning left for the long way back to the north to reach Groenendaal station.  I was close to Hoeilaart now and stopped at Filip Sport to pick up a Polar S Speed sensor for my Moots Psychlo-X. Following the valley of the river Yse past Overijse and Huldenberg I tackled the ridge of the Smeysberg through the Margijsbos to make it back to the Wolfshagen. I noticed some new BLOSO markers here, black and when I was going in the other direction I also saw some Green and Blue markings. Looks like some new BLOSO trails need to be explored. Passing through Sint Joris Weert, up the very steep Speelbergstraat and then along the Weertse Dreef until I took a left/right towards the Nethensebaan. Into Vaalbeek and riding towards Blanden I crossed my friend Roger L. We chatted up a little before we each went our seperate ways. I was near home, only a little loop left.
Did a fine distance today, very pleased with my ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 66.5K and 575 heightmeters in 03h10mins

2564/5140

02-03-2013, 15:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a week of torment due to a bubbling stomach and intestines, today had me feeling better. Not fully healed but well enough and able to maintain my stomach into bounds without the use of some gas-controlling drug.
When I got home from work I went for the Hilset on the Tacx Satori. Eager to get some mileage in and feel my legs . I felt weakened due to the fasting I had let myself undergo during the days - only eating in the morning and in the evening - but my legs had obviously recovered well enough during the week of rest to maintain a very good average speed.

Ride Stats : 46K in 01h01mins

2498/4565

01-03-2013, 18:37 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Tonight saw the arrival of some light snow and coupled with the freezing temperatures this provided a little white coat in the morning. I decided to ride out for my first snow ride of the winter. The temperature was just below zero and the wind seemed to have loosened up a fair bit. Some light snowfall still accompanied me when I ventured into Mollendaalbos. Keeping to the bigger forest roads I did not want to take any risks. The snow was fresh and it was easy to see the gullies and holes in the road but still I was caught off guard a couple of times. Nothing except a scare because I managed to keep the rubber side down. Passing along the fields of Valduc - where the snow caused whiteout conditions - and then plummeting to the Naamsesteenweg. Crossing that the roads became more difficult due to recent forestry works that left deep scars. Scars that were frozen solid now and covered by 1cm of snow. Care had to be taken. At the Hercules Salon I paused to take a picture of the Litespeed Obed with Ad Wouters' sculptures as a backdrop.

Moving on I crossed the Weertse Dreef after a tricky descent led me past the Kluis. Coming in along the Langendaal and happy to have made it without a single scratch.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 20.5K and 210 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h11mins. -1 degree C

When I got home I straddled the Tacx Satori for a relaxed half an hour. Was quite a chore as it turned out because my stomach seemed to be upset. Too much chocolate late last night? I managed half an hour though and I was happy with that.

Ride Stats : 22.5K in 00h32mins

2452/4565

24-02-2013, 12:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw temperatures of minus 5 degrees C and there were some light snow flurries. The sun was making an effort to pierce through the clouds but it was a losing battle. I rode out and immediately noticed the stiff and icy cold northern wind. I decided to make this an offroad ride - my first one since last october when I fell and hurt my left hand. Following the Blue and Red Bloso routes in the reverse direction would prove a nice ride and I could judge the amount of traffic on these routes whilst I came accross them. It turned out to be 6 bikers, 2 on cyclocross steeds, all very well dressed to brave the cold. The forest floor was frozen solid and that meant that in the muddy areas all tracks had become concrete cliffs and ledges, trying to topple me over. I managed well though and braved the wind on the plains in the north riding into Bierbeek. Moving back to the forest along the edge of Valduc I had the wind blowing to my advantage, a small mercy. Completing the red bloso I joined the blue for a more hilly intermezzo along the forest edge near Nethen and Sint Joris Weert. Stopping briefly to make a picture of myself with the Savenel wall as a backdrop before making my way up the cliff towards the Hercules Salon.

Completing the ride along the blue and passing the Zoete Waters where the ponds were covered in a thin icy layer. Snow was being blown over the ice. Looked nice but I felt the cold in my hands and feed and decided against stopping to take some pictures. Up the Keiberg and then down into Vaalbeek where I made my way towards the Langendaal . I decided to continue and follow the Weertse Dreef for a while , making another loop following the Prosperdreef to the north and then riding upwards back to the jucntion of the Naamsesteenweg and the Weertse Dreef. In all a very good ride, a little cold at times but still I was pleased that my hand held up against the beating coming from the frozen paths.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 43K and 520 heightmeters in 02h08mins . -3 degrees C

Arriving home I settled myself on the Hilset on the Tacx Satori for 40 minutes of cooling down. Not that I needed cooling down, my fingertips and toes were tingling when the warmth returned to them. But this ride helped me to settle into a state of recuperation. I only noticed near the end that I had left the resistance on 2 since the last ride. So I quickly adjusted it to 1 and did another 10 minutes on that level.

Ride Stats : 28K in 00h42mins

2409/4355

23-02-2013, 14:42 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a week that neared the 400K mark I decided to take a bit of rest. On monday I only did a walk at work, tuesday was recovery bliss without any physical exercise. Yesterday I went for a long forest walk and today I did another walk at work.
Coming home after work I decided on a little action on the Tacx Satori so I straddled my Hilset for 40 minutes of easy riding, upping the reesistance to 2 for the last 10 minutes. Muscles felt rested but a little uneasy. I could have done a lot more but I decided to save my strength at this time. 

Ride Stats : 29K in 00h40mins

2338/3835

21-02-2013, 18:27 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Waited until after noon because the AM saw cold temperatures and mist. Taking the Litespeed Obed I decided to integrate a fair bit of offroad today. Starting out with a big chunk of Heverlee forest I made my way to Korbeek Dyle and the plains connecting to Duisburg where I entered the Sonian Forest. Coming out again at Jezus Eik I followed the big road towards Overijse. Here I joined part of the BLOSO route for a short while before dropping down from the plains again and riding towards Terlanen. Offroad again for a stretch taking me to the outskirts of Eerken and Pecrot. Climbing out of Pecrot towards Nethen and here I rode to Sint Joris Weert where I took the Weertse Dreef through Meerdael Forest. The ride has been an intense one with a solid amount of climbing and a fair share of offroad and cobbled sections.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 58.5K and 495 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h39mins

Coming home I somehow found the strength and determination to get on the Tacx Satori for half an hour of cooldown. Concentrating on making perfect circles I let my legs do the talking whilst I settled into a fast and low-resistance pace.

Ride Stats : 22.5K in 00h32mins

2309/3835

17-02-2013, 17:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was gray but dry and it was a balmy 6 degrees C when I rode out around 01.30 in the PM. Late I know, but the AM saw me securing a second hand Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX and after I put that safely away in a closed underground garage I made time for a ride with the Litespeed Obed to clear my head.
Starting out over the Weertse Dreef , Sint Joris Weert and Nethen I included some sections of cobbles to check how my left hand was doing. It was doing fine and I continued towards Nodebais where I paused at the little chapel for a short time. Moving on along the N91 I passed the Beauvechain airport and then made my way towards La Bruyere and L'Ecluse. From l'Ecluse I rode to Meldert and then Bierbeek , Haasrode and Blanden closed my loop for today.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 46.5K and 330 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h56mins

As usual I completed my ride with a cooldown session on the Tacx Satori. Riding at a good pace on low resistance helps to evacuate the muscle soreness and also allows the body to relax towards the end of the ride.

Ride Stats : 22.5K in 00h32mins

2229/3340

16-02-2013, 17:52 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather took a turn for the better today. Temperatures well above zero and the return of calm and dry weather. When I got home for work I settled for another ride on the Tacx Satori.

Ride Stats : 56K in 01h16mins

2160/3010

15-02-2013, 18:51 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

While outside an icy rain made the roads slippery and cold, I turned to my Tacx Satori once again for a warm, comfortable ride indoors. I stayed on a little over an hour, riding at a low resistance and high speed.

Ride Stats : 48.5K in 01h06mins

2104/3010

14-02-2013, 17:19 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw the return of the sunshine albeit that the temperatures only barely reached above zero. When I got home late from work and a dentist appointment I got on the Hilset on the Tacx Satori for a ride that would take me 50 minutes on resistance 1 and then I added a couple of minutes alternating between resistances 1 and 2. Legs felt good and I felt refreshed after the ride.

Ride Stats : 49K in 01h06mins

2055/3010

13-02-2013, 19:50 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another cold day but at least it stayed dry. There is still some snow in the fields and in the sun did not shine throughout the entire day. Temperatures just went over 0 degrees C. When I got home from work I settled for a Tacx Satori ride taking me again into recovery heartrates for a little more than an hour.

Ride Stats : 44.5K in 01h02mins

2006/3010

12-02-2013, 18:39 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Some more snow this morning and alltogether cold and wet weather left me little choice but to opt for another Tacx Satori ride. Warm, cozy and with a good book and some great music I pedalled away the best part of an hour. Legs felt surprisingly good after the heavy cycling weekend.

Ride Stats : 44.5K in 01h02mins

1962/3010

11-02-2013, 18:44 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I had a good nights' sleep and around 9AM I was out and about on the Obed again. It was cold but dry and in comparison to yesterday there was also a vicious wind blowing from the south-east. With an air temperature of just below zero that meant freezing cold ambient temperatures. I set out along the Naamsesteenweg towards Hamme Mille and the further along the N91 and the N240. The roads were tricky, witnessed by a car that slipped and wound up in the ditch and over the bikepath along the N91, next to the Beauvechain landing strip. Warned I took good care where I put my wheels and especially on the narrow and exposed roads leading to Melin and Saint-Jean-Geest I spotted some black ice. The sun was gaining strength as I rode on and by the time I arrived on the Ravel leading me to Hoegaarden, I could feel its warmth on my face. Through Hoegaarden and then along the narrow tarmac roads towards Hoksem I had to beware some icy patches again. From Hoksem I took the bigger road towards Kumtich and then made my way to Willebringen and Neervelp. Riding into Bierbeek I decided to return once more through the Mollendaalbos and Meerdael Forest. Had to brave the wind along the Bevekomsestraat but then I could turn right towards the Sint Joris Weert straat which becomes the Weertse Dreef when it crosses the Naamsesteenweg. Following that into Blanden I once again had a solid ride behind me.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 53K and 480 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h26mins

Arriving home I got on the Tacx Satori for half an hour of cooldown. In this case it proved to be a warmup because my hands were cold when returning from my ride.

Ride Stats : 21K in 00h32mins

1917/3010

10-02-2013, 13:15 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

It was a cold but dry morning when I rode out with the Litespeed Obed . Furthermore, there was little wind so the conditions were ideal. The sun was playing hide and seek but near the end of the ride some clouds would gather and some light snows would fall. I started out towards Egenhoven, taking a little bit of offroad to check out how my hand would do when the trail got bumpy. But to my satisfaction I was without pain. The only pain I felt was the cold biting in my face. But once past Egenhoven I turned towards Leefdaal on the small tarmac roads and the sun shone in my face. This was bliss. The subtle warmth of the februari sun works miracles. Turining to Neerijse and the further on along the Wolfshagen towards Terlanen. Here I took a left for the long ascent towards Ottenburg. From Ottenburg I rode to Sint Agatha Rode and past the Dyle and Nethen valley to Hamme Mille. From Hamme Mille I followed to road to Beauvechain where I took a left towards Opvelp. From Opvelp I took another left to Bierbeek, and then rode around the Vuilenbos to reach Mollendaal. Another stretch of offroad took me through Mollendaalbos into Meerdael Forest towards the Naamsesteenweg. The forest road was sweating some moisture because the sun warmed up the frozen areas. Reaching the wooden bridge going over the Naamsesteenweg I had to convince myself that I could ride it. Memories of wooden bridges will haunt me for several months, I'm sure. But I crossed it and nothing happened. Following the Naamsesteenweg into Blanden I completed this ride. A nice distance and I had a good feeling thoughout the entire ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 58.5K and 405 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h33mins

Arriving home I changed into dry gear for half an hour of cooldown on the Tacx Satori. Starting the active recovery of my legs whilst my body returned to a more restful state.

Ride Stats : 21K in 00h32mins

1844/2550

09-02-2013, 13:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf