Today saw the return of warmer weather, at last, but also some light rain that washed the salt of the winter off of the streets. I decided on a recovery ride on the Tacx Satori. Resistance level one and easy pedalling at high rpm.

Ride Stats : 44K in 01h01mins

4121/12590

09-04-2013, 18:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was fine in the late afternoon so I got on the Psychlo-X and rode towards the Bosberg in Meldert. There was still some wind blowing from the northeast but when I rode through Opvelp, Beauvechain, La Bruyere and L'Ecluse I took care to take it relatively easy. I wanted to do some Interval training on the Bosberg. This is a 500m climb with an average percentage of 3.7% and a peak of around 7%. I stayed on the big ring and sprinted upwards, taking the guidon in the hoops and pushing whilst standing up. The first one was a couple of seconds faster than the second one and I managed to keep my heartrate under control. I think I need to do more of these intervals because I noticed my heart is getting lazy and settles easily for the long haul, but I have difficulty when I have to change the pace. I have become a diesel and I need some training to become a turbo-diesel when the need is there. After the double interval I rode back over La Bruyere, Beauvechain, Opvelp and Bierbeek towards the Expressweg in Haasrode and followed that into Blanden. I had a good average speed and was tired but pleased with todays' training effort.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 49K and 315 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h51mins

4077/12590

08-04-2013, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

What a difference a day makes. This morning the sun was out and even though it was a cold night the temperatures were rising when I took the Moots Psychlo-X out for a spin. I got on the trail of the Brabantse Pijl cyclo and followed that to Oud-Heverlee. Here I picked in on the beginning of the track and followed it towards Huldenberg where the first serious obstacle was awaiting me. The Smeysberg. I did not take the big road going up that hill but tooks it's parallel alternative - the Kleinwaverstraat -which is every bit as steep, even steeper at some point - but is a calm road with almost no polluting traffic. Getting over the 20% bits was not easy on the Psychlo-X with its road-cassette. But I managed it and continuing along the Brabantse Pijl track into Huldenberg and then towards Overijse, where the real challenge awaits. The Ijskelderstraat, the Schavei, the Hagaard and the Herstraat. All serious little climbs that the profs will have to tackle for 5 or 6 loops. Me, I was quite pleased with only one loop, those little hills hurt like hell. From the Hertstraat the trail then makes way towards Wavre and Terlanen. I left it near Nethen. Perhaps I will do the complete loop a little later in the season. Today I had enough with this intensive workout and decided to call it a day, returning over Hamme Mille and along the Naamsesteenweg.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 64K and 625 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h33mins

4028/12275

07-04-2013, 14:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time to get the Moots YBB out of the stable. I started out on the Meerdael Bloso routes, starting in Blanden with the Green and working my way towards Nethen were I added a couple of extra climbs to boost up the amount of heightmeters and give my legs a workout. Jumping on the Red I decided to stay inside of the forest and finish off my ride with the Mollendaal trails loop I did a couple of days ago. This is quiet an intense loop with several climbs up and down the backbone of a crest that runs through Mollendaal forest from the east to the west. The loop consists of parallel trails roughly going from the north to the south, and back again. So a lot of small trails and a lot of climbs. I found the tension in my tyres a bit too high - I started out with 2 bars - so I stopped and lowered it a bit. But by the end of the ride I again falt the ride becoming rather harsh. The front fork is rather hard  - a Magura Durin SL - and the back of the YBB has some suspension, but the tyre pressure has to be spot on to give it a great feeling. Also, the Rocket Ron in the back is a little narrow. The trails were bonehard due to the week-long drought and near-freezing temperatures. No mud in sight. I finished the ride with a very satisfactory amount of kilometers and heightmeters. 

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 55K and 725 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h53mins

When I arrived home I wanted to let my legs recover a bit from the ride so I got on the Tacx Satori for a cooldown session. half an hour of easy spinning.

Ride Stats : 20K in 00h31mins

3965/11650

06-04-2013, 15:23 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw overcast weather and still that fierce Northeasterly wind. The temperatures reached a meager 5 degrees C , which is about half of what we should normally get this time of the year. I quickly decided to stay indoors and do a stint on the Tacx Satori on my Hilset. Nice and relaxed for an hour of recovery riding. My legs could use the easier pace after the last two days of mountainbiking.

Ride Stats : 45K in 01h01mins

3890/10925

05-04-2013, 19:04 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today was the first ride of the KBC MTB club in the new season. There was quite a turnout at the start at the Heverlee Kazerne around 6.30pm. I was to guide the 'faster' group today and soon we were heading with 6 biker guys and 1 biker lady towards the Mollendaal Forest. I chose the same trails I reconnoitered yesterday - with the exception of one loop because the darkness was upon us quicker than anticipated. The group was pretty heterogenous and I could maintain a good pace, ending up with about the same average I had yesterday on my own. The trails were still super even though the wind was still cold and the temperature a measly 5 degrees C on average. We saw 4 roedeer and one buzzard . Near the end of the ride , when I arrived in Blanden, I bid my farewell to the group and left them in capable hands to be guided back to Heverlee.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 33.5K and 400 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h42mins

3845/10945

04-04-2013, 21:01 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Even though it was still rather cold - 6 degrees C -and there was a mean wind blowing from the East, I could not resist riding out . I started with the Obed and took a succession of parallel trails and paths leading me in a north-south way though most of Mollendaal Forest. The trails were great ; dry and fast and I could maintain a good speed. There were some spots were trees had fallen - or were put - over the trails but I only had to dismount once. I was checking out some of the small tracks near the Mollendaal valley and was pleased to find they were all rideable. I finished early because I had a dental appointment. I am planning to come back to these trails soon though.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 26.5K and 340 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h22mins

3811/10525

03-04-2013, 18:52 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Even though the sun shone abundantly it was still very cold with a strong wind blowing from the East. I did not want to ride out in those conditions so I settled for the easy ride and stuck to the Tacx Satori. Relaxing after a busy weekend. Low resistance and high revs.

Ride Stats : 48K in 01h06mins

3785/10185

02-04-2013, 20:15 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Fourth day in a row that I was to be cycling outside. Fourth day in a row with sun shining but with an unpleasant and cold north-earsterly wind blowing. I started with the Obed through Meerdael Forest until I reached Valduc. Here I cut to the right towards Les Claines and then rode up to Bossut. Down into Grez and before long I was on the Accro Bike trails. I decide to avoid all dangerous, steep and technical stuff , my intimate knowledge of the terrain allowed me to connect the long climbs and before long I was accumulating the heightmeters. The trails were fine, here and there a bit wet because of the snow that was still melting and the sun that made the frost disappear. Longueville, Gistoux, Wavre, I was glad to be out of the wind into some secluded valley and I gradually became more confident in my bike skills again.

Looping back towards Grez Doiceau I was grinding my teeth on the last long climb towards Bercuit. From Grez I rode back to Bossut and then disappeared into Meerdael Forest again. Out of the wind at last. The last couple of K were a joy with relatively flat terrain and dry forest roads. Alongside the Naamsesteenweg for the last loop into Blanden before I arrived home. Very satisfied with this ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 58K and 875 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h09mins

3737/10185

01-04-2013, 14:37 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw another cold start, with the sun peeping through the clouds sparingly. I set out on the Psychlo-X over Vaalbeek and the Zoete Waters towards Sint Joris Weert and Nethen. Following some orange arrows which brought me over Hamme Mille and Tourinnes to Beauvechain. Here I took a left towards La Bruyere. The wind was bothering me and it was a cold wind. Into L'Ecluse and then onwards to Oorbeek along the Waversesteenweg. From Oorbeek things were looking up wind-wise but the climb to Kumtich still had me dig deep. Luckily I was protected from the side by a earthen wall. From Kumtich to Willebringen the wind was more or less in my back and with the sun out I actually felt elated . Over Neervelp and then up to the Bierbeek globe. Down into Bierbeek and alongside Haasrode to the Expressweg which I followed into Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 51.5K and 430 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h03mins

As usual these days upon arriving home I got on the Tacx Satori for half an hour of cooling down. Fast revs and low resistance suited my legs fine.

Ride Stats : 22K in 00h31mins

3679/9310

31-03-2013, 14:02 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning I waited a couple of hours more before riding out. Temperatures were above zero by then but there seemed to be more wind than yesterday. And it was blowing from the cold East-North-Eastern corner. I started out along the Weertse Dreef and then rode through Sint Joris Weert and Nethen towards Pecrot. From Pecrot I rode to Archennes and then started the long climb up to Ottenburg. Down into Basse-Wavre - the road was flanked by snow in the left bank - and then another long climb up to the Chaussee De Huy. This big road has a terrible bikepath and ondulates up and down towards the south-east. This meant that the wind was picking on me from the front left side. When I turned towards Maleves I had it full in my face. Through Maleves and Sainte Marie and Wastinnes towards Opprebais. Here I took a right turn, full in the wind again, to reach the N91. I started following this big road towards Pietrebais and ultimately Hamme Mille. The wind was blowing from my right now and I was struggling with it in the exposed areas on the plateau. Dropping into Hamme Mille provided some shelter and following the N25 through Meerdael Forest I also was protected from the wind by the forest. A little loop into Blanden ended this ride. It turned out to be quite a difficult one. My legs did not feel fully recuperated from yesterday and the aftermath of the cold I had last week is still leaving me a bit weaker than I would have liked to be at this stage.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 60K and 600 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h31mins

Arriving home I added 4mm to my saddle height on the Moots Psychlo-X. The Brooks saddle will give when it becomes broken in, and I already felt like I was sitting a bit too low. Hence the adjustment. Comparing it to my other bikes it looks like it should be OK now.
On to the Hilset next for half an hour of cooldown on the Tacx Satori. The legs felt full but I was able to maintain a good speed and with the resistance on 1 I could keep the revs high.

Ride Stats : 22K in 00h31mins

3605/8880

30-03-2013, 15:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday saw the demise of a brave and joyful companion. Our cat Rambo finally lost the battle against diabetes and old age. He passed on at the age of 19. He was a great cat, always friendly, not a mean bone in his body. He will be sorely missed but it is comforting to think that he is already chasing mice in cat heaven. He weighed more than 6kg in his prime. When he passed away yesterday morning he barely made 3kgs.
Fare thee well, Rambo. You will be in our thoughts forever !

29-03-2013, 12:12 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This evening I was home late due to a party at work. But I wanted to  do a ride so I got on the Tacx Satori for an hour of sustained effort. The last 10 minutes were done at resistance 2, the rest on resistance one. Legs felt Ok but they needed a little stretching when I go out of the hot tub after the training.

Ride Stats : 46K in 01h01mins

3469/8050

27-03-2013, 21:15 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

26-03-2013, 18:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Last week my newly acquired used car - the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX - was at Wax-it.be for a detailing job. They scrubbed, cleaned and protected the paint, cleaned the engine bay, the wheels, revitalized the interior and coated the front glass with a nanocoating that should allow me to ride through the rain without using the wipers. At the end it nearly looked like a new car. Some pictures of the finished car can be seen on their Flickr account.

Riding it to and from Oudenaarde proved to be quite an experience. The cars exhaust note -  a 3" Milltek - is not something that is easily disguised. It emits a low growl at normal paces, swelling to a dangerous level each time you hit the accelerator . Things start happening very fast when that happens, the turbo pressure shoots towards 1.7 bars and the car becomes ballistic. A steady hand and a lot of experience and control is demanded from its driver to keep things on the right side of the law. It's big fun to drive, but you need to be able to remain in control all the time.

I did not ride last week, caught a throat-ache that evolved during the week and also invaded my sinuses. Nothing much but just enough to take away any desire to ride a bike.
By last friday things seemed to be clearing out but I decided to wait until after the weekend .
So today I got on the Tacx Satori to check out my legs and my health. Both turned out to be reasonably good. I could maintain a good speed and did not suffer any short of breath or excessive sweating, things I usually experience after a cold.
I just have to wait now how my body will react and hope to pick up my daily routine of riding a bike. The only thing that can be improved is the weather. This weekend again saw some snow falling and today it was cold and windy.

Ride Stats : 45.5K in 01h01mins

3378/8050

25-03-2013, 19:17 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for another ride with the Moots Psychlo-X. Started out early but the wind was already out, blowing hard and cold from the south. I started out riding towards Bierbeek, Meldert and Hoegaarden. Here I got on the Ravel 2 . The wind was now blowing straight into my face, making the ride difficult . The Ravel 2 climbs gradually all the way and I had some difficulty keeping the chain on the big ring. But it is still early in the season so I guess I have to get stronger.
Riding past Jodoigne towards Eghezee the small tarmac road was covered in snow at places, some of it too high to ride through. Around Molenbais-Saint-Pierre I was forced to take a little detour. With a mountainbike I might have tried it, but with this bike and its narrow tyres I did not risk riding through the feet-high piles of snow.

17-03-2013, 14:14 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw me driving the Evo IX to Oudenaarde. It has to stay there for a couple of days to undergo a cleaning and detailing job, inside, outside and also the motor compartment will get the once-over. I'm curious to the result. This was my first long ride with this car and it went well. The Milltek exhaust and the shape of the car prevent passsing unnoticed but it all stays within the law. Which is the way it should be of course. The handling and power of this car makes it a toy for experienced drivers. To me the excellent braking and power , coupled with a rail-like handling gives a feeling of safety.

When I got home I decided to ride out. Despite a strong southern wind I opted for a road ride. The offroad being too muddy and wet with the ongoing melting of the snow. Time to get the Moots Psychlo-X out for its first ride. I drove off along the Naamse steenweg , then took the Weertse Dreef towards Sint Joris Weert and took a right turn towards the Zoete Waters. The bike ride sweetly. No surprise, it is brand new and well set-up by Filip Sport. I have to get used to the roadie position but it looks to be the same as my Litespeed Vortex. A little shorter perhaps and I also felt I sat a smidgen too low. But when I measured the pedal-top of saddle distance it was exactly the same as on my Vortex. I will keep it for the time being and get used to the different position as compared to my mountain bike. The 172.5 crank arms may be the cause - I usually prefer 175mm crank arms - or maybe its just that it has been a while since I rode a road bike.
The speed was there, and despite the wind which kept trying to push me over and was a real force to be reckoned with when you turned into it, I kept a good average. The Campagnolo Chorus works perfectly and I felt the CX brakes were pretty good. I heard some horror stories that CX brakes don't brake, they just slow you down. Well, my experience from this first ride is different. They DO brake.

16-03-2013, 16:55 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw me in meetings for the entire time at work. Just having 2 coffee breaks and 45 minutes for lunch between intense sessions of brainstorming on strategies and business plans. Truely fried but with a feeling of accomplishment I arrived home and planted myself on the Hilset on the Tacx Satori. I finished an hours worth of fast riding going up to level 4 in resistance. The snow melted further today with temperatures going up to 6 degrees C. Only downside is that the offroad gets drenched with the melting water.

Ride Stats : 44.5K in 01h01mins

3182/7370

15-03-2013, 19:59 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yet another Tacx Satori ride. This morning saw some new snow flurries but during the day things cleared out and when the sun came through the snow started melting. Not all but it's getting there. Nevertheless the temperatures only reached 3 or 4 degrees C. On the Tacx I pedalled for the best part of an hour. Good workout and I kept the resistance on an easy level 1 to fully aid recuperation.

Ride Stats : 45K in 01h01mins

3135/7370

14-03-2013, 18:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This night saw the passing of the coldest temperatures of this years, reaching -12 degrees C. During the day the March sun managed to lift the temperature over the zero border , all the way up to a full 2 degrees C. The snow was melting but there was still enough to make any ride outside a bit bothersome. So my choice fell again on the Tacx Satori. Working up to resistance 3 throughout the ride I managed to break a good sweat during the hour that I was on the Hilset.

Ride Stats : 44K in 01h01mins

3093/7370

13-03-2013, 18:38 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf