 |
|
|
| Tales from the Woods |
|
|
| 06-07-2013 |
 Orange start |
Looking good this morning, sun was out and there was a bit of a haze hanging over the fields. Not too much wind, dry and warming up. A long ride was in the making. I started out by following some orange markers from Blanden to Korbeek-Dyle, then along the Sint Jansberg steenweg towards Hoegaarden where the Smeysberg was waiting, all 17% of it. Down the Holsheide and the up towards Ottenburg. Eerken, Pecrot and Nethen were next. The orange smilie next to the 'Helling' marker at the start of the Tienne Vincent was grim and I saw my gradient reach 20% during that climb. Back down again and onwards to Hamme Mille, Beauvechain, Meldert and then over Sint Katelijne Hautem to Hoegaarden. 35km into the ride and already around 400 heightmeters. A solid start. The sun was bringing more warmth to the land and I noticed I forgot to add my electrolyte powder to my drinking bottle. Hmm, lets hope I won't bonk.
The orange markers pointed towards Outgaarden but I will pick up on them during another ride. For now I rode along the Ravel 2 towards Jodoigne and Eghezee. I stopped to take a picture of one of the sculptures along the ravel just past Jodoigne. This looked like a cat.
Some 72K into the ride and it was high time to point my front wheel towards home. Longchamps, Aische-en-Refail and Perwez were next. Back on the ravel and back towards Hoegaarden. I followed the ravel towards Tienen were I had a bit of a struggle to find the ring, or at least that part that has a bikepath next to it. I already had 110K on the counter and I was starting to feel the exhaustion in my legs. The sun was hiding behind some clouds from time to time but the temperatures were way past 25 degrees C when I followed the Steenweg towards Leuven.
Endomondo
track
Ride Stats : 134K and 800 heightmeters (Garmin) in 04h34min
8001/40305
06-07-2013, 15:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
|
|
|
|
|
| 30-06-2013 |
| Namur |
Today I had to leave early because I needed to be home by 2PM. I started out under overcast skies and with a southwesterly wind blowing whilst riding over Bierbeek and Meldert towards Hoegaarden. There I got on the Ravel 2 for a ride that would take me over Jodoigne and Eghezee towards Vedrin and Namur. Almost got hit by a car that left a parking lot and wanted to cross the Ravel, just before entering Eghezee. The guy in the car saw me coming but still wanted to have the right of way. No way! A lot of Walloon curses followed but I rode on , ignoring the idiot.
Into Namur, just under 2 hours after leaving home. I was on shedule. Whilst riding uphill all of a sudden I felt my rear tyre going flat. Damn.
I got out the Pitstop and succeeded in inflating the tyre. I seemed to hold so I put the wheel back in my bike and rode on. Unfortunately, about 3 kilometers further up the climb, I heard a hiss and saw some white foam spraying through my outer tyre. It was flat again. Changed the inner tyre, whilst checking the outer for possible thorns . Found nothing. Because I only had one spare I decided riding up to Eghezee and then taking the N91 towards Hamme Mille. That way, if I should happen to flatten again, at least getting picked up would be easier. But all went well, I made good speed and set a personal record on the 100K distance. My legs were tiring at the end but I still found the punch to set a personal record on the climb out of Hamme Mille along the N25. Arriving home with a little less kilometers than I had set out to do, but still very happy with my ride.
Endomondo
track
Ride Stats : 104K and 600 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h26mins
7712/38400
30-06-2013, 14:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
|
|
|
|
|
| 22-06-2013 |
| Perwijs |
Mmm, weather forecast calling for a strong southwester and some light rain or drizzle from the early afternoon. Started around 9.15AM to beat the rain but the wind beat me. I rode through Meldert towards Hoegaarden and there followed the Ravel 2. My original plan for today was to ride to Namur but with the wind blowing in my face on the Ravel - albeit there was some shelter from it provided by the shrubberies - and the amount of dark clouds parading the sometimes sunlit skies, I decided to change that plan.
On the split I took the Ravel towards Perwez. There I had to circumvene some local festivities but I quickly found a way towards Thorembais and Maleves-Sainte Marie-Wastines. The wind was blowing in my back now and I was speeding along , enjoying the breather. Passing Opprebais and riding towards Chaumont-Gistoux the wind was back in my face and I had to grit my teeth. Once past Chaumont on my way to Bonlez I was again driven along and before long I was crossing through Grez-Doiceau and on my way to Hamme Mille. From Hamme Mille to Nethen the wind was bothering me again but once turning right towards Sint Joris Weert I took advantage of shelter and made my way to the north. At the Zoete Waters I took a left turn towards Korbeek Dyle and the Sint Jansberg steenweg leading me into Egenhoven. Here I felt some raindrops but I was close to home with only a passage along Arenberg and through Heverleebos leading me into Blanden. A good ride despite the wind and the threathening skies.
Endomondo
track
Ride Stats : 91K and 590 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h04mins
7385/36365
22-06-2013, 13:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
|
|
|
|
|
| 15-06-2013 |
| WTC Rondom Blanden CCW |
There were plans to ride Landen-Hamoir-Landen today but I opted out because of the weather forecast. Occasional rainshowers and lots of wind, building up to 60kph between 12 and 13AM. Instead I chose to do the Rondom Blanden 90K ride again. I started in counterclockwise direction, and from the start, the skies were dark and just past the Zoete Waters, rain started falling. I put on my Blitzfeder to be sheltered from the cold and the wind, that was blowing from the west. Before long, the rain stopped and I rode on, following the undulating track over Leefdaal, Duisburg, Eizer and then into Overijse down the Schavei. From Overijse the trail took me to Huldenberg and the Koxberg. My legs felt strong but I decided to drop the chain on the inner ring . Down the Holstheide where the speed went up to nearly 60kph. The long climb up to Ottenburg was taken on the big ring. Eerken and Sint Agatha Rode took me to Sint Joris Weert and Nethen. Up to Pecrot and then along to Archennes. Grez Doiceau and I settled into the long climb towards Longueville. The wind came bothering me more and more but was more or less in my side until I rode to Incourt, where it gave me wings and the speed went up to 40kph+.
Past Happeau after crossing the N91 and some small tarmac roads took me to the N240. Following that to the west had me grit my teeth when the wind struck me with full force. Turning right towards La Bruyere was as if I closed a door behind me. Another 40kph+ stretch and before long I was climbing out of Beauvechain towards Opvelp. Crossing the Hoegaardsesteenweg to reach Neervelp where I took a left turn again towards Bremt. The wind was really blowing hard now and I was glad I could put the E40 between us when I rode a parallel track to the highway towards Bierbeek. I had decided to finish off my ride with a couple of laps around the Industriepark in Haasrode to pass the 100K mark. The way home along the Expressweg was another calvaire with the wind in my face. My legs were very much spent when I reached Blanden but I had the feeling I did a good solid ride.
Endomondo
track
Ride Stats : 107K and 810 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h46mins
7062.5/34360
15-06-2013, 14:58 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
|
|
|
|
|
| 26-05-2013 |
| KOTK Mont Ventoux day 9 : Bedoin - Mont Ventoux |
This morning, the last day of our stay in the hotel Le Guintrand in Sainte-Colombe, the weather was looking good. The top of the Mont Ventoux was clearly visible and the sun was out. This would be D-Day. Anticipation by most if not all members of our group , especially those who never rode the Bedoin climb , was present at breakfast. I had doubts myself because I had only a 25 as biggest cog in my cassette, and I was not confident to be able to push that gear for the 18.5K of steep climbing awaiting after the famous courbe de Saint-Esteve. But I would give it a go, see how far I could take it.
   
Riding down towards the official starting point in Bedoin , the group gathered and we were under way. I stopped when we passed the hotel because I had put on my clear sunglasses and the altitude sun demanded shaded spectacles. So the adaptive Specialized sunglasses came on. I had put on suncream this time, factor 50 for my nose, factor 20 for the rest of my face.
The climb is hell, as most of those who have ever done it will gladly testify. We were lucky because in the forest part - the steepest kilometers are to be found here - it was relatively cool. Only that gradient. Kilometers of 9.1% on average. I saw the gradient go to 10, 11, even 12% at times. When I reached the Chalet Reynard, in my mind I had given up so many times already. But I decided to keep on pushing, to the next corner, to catch up with the guy who seemed adrift, to pass that guy, mumbling 'Bon Courage' to him. Then I was being passed myself. A clean-shaven gladiator, bound for glory on the steep slopes of the Lonely Mountain. I looked at my front wheel and concentrated on my own pace.
Reaching the Chalet Reynard I took some time to eat and drink, go to the lavatory before I embarked on the last 6 kilometers. The first kilometers are easy, with gradients of 6 to 7%. Compared to the forest it almost seems to be going downhill. Almost.
The wind, what can I say . Each time you take a turn to the right it bangs in your face. The higher you get , the more fierce it becomes. With the snow on the side of the road and an ambient temperature close to O degrees it's almost as if you are entering a freezer with a couple a large fans in it . The Col des Tempetes, I have to reach the Col des Tempetes. After that , its a breeze. Reaching for the Col des Tempetes I pass several cyclists who have been stopped by the slope and by the wind. Some with their shirts open, chest bared. In these temperatures? My picture gets taken by several photographers who make a good living selling these at 17EUR a pop. I grab the cards they give me. I will order some when I get home. Proof.
  
Past the Col des Tempetes, I am passed by a young couple. I hook myself into the girls' rear wheel and ride the last couple of K with that as my bait. Being angled in by the big tower on top of the mountain.
My heartrate goes up 10 beats, passing 145. I will not fail.
  
When I arrive on top I hear the cheers from my fellow teammates and the support team - Jan and Babette - and I am glad, relieved, elated, happy and feel like an icycle. the wind blows from the Alps and I need an extra layer of clothing. I put my bike against the camionette and hide inside to get out of the wind. We have to wait for all members of the team to come in. My bike drops on the floor, thanks to the strong wind. I put it against the side of the tower and check out the store. It's warm in here, let's stick around. I buy a ridiculously expensive 'Mont Ventoux' windbreaker.
When the last member of our team comes in, it's time for the pictures. Well done guys.
   
After warming up and catching our breaths, plans are made for the rest of the ride. We decide to descend to Sault , with a group of 3 cyclists. Others decide to ride down into Bedoin and call it a day.
The descend is an icy affair. Speeds going up to 60kph and only past Chalet Reynard does it feel as if temperatures are above zero. The long descent takes its toll on hands, arms, neck muscles and brakepads. Down in Sault we gather for some warm coffee on a terrasse. Bliss and Joy .
  
From Sault we ride on downwards to Monieux where we follow the Gorges de la Nesque down into Villes-sur-Auzon. A long swooping descent going on for 20K or more. Great. From Villes , a difficult climb awaits us, wind full in our faces, towards Flassan. From Flassan its only a couple of kilometers further to reach the hotel at Sainte-Colombe. Yes. Great ride with another victory on the Mont Ventoux. My second time and the second time from Bedoin. A victory on the mountain - who couldn't care less - but especially a victory against my doubts, helped by the fantastic members of the b.strong team, who kept on believing in me, and kept pushing me to have a go. Thanks girls and guys, I dedicate this to all of you.
Endomondo
Ride Stats : 90K and 2000 heightmeters (Garmin) in 04h22mins
6425/30225
26-05-2013, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gastenboek./.Guestbook |
Druk op onderstaande knop om een berichtje achter te laten in mijn Gastenboek. /
Press the button below to write in my Guestbook.
|
| Email Me |
Press the button to send me a mail
|
|
|
|
