Time for a recovery ride. I started out towards Leuven and then followed the Platte Lo straat and the N2 past Sint Joris Winge. Taking a right turn towards Kiezegem and then to Meensel and Binkom. There are quite a few little hills here in the Hageland, a region certainly worth exploring more in the upcoming weeks.
I stopped at my sisters' but no-one was home. Further on to the N223 which I followed into Tienen. The breeze was refreshing from the northeast and the early morning air was still not too warm. Ideal for a relaxed ride. From Tienen I followed the N3 towards Leuven. At the Mol I took the Expressweg towards Blanden to close a fine loop.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 57.5K and 340 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h58mins

8244/42005

09-07-2013, 12:06 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Looking at another sunny and warm day, so a long ride was on the menu. I settled on the Biz' On the Bike 120. A slightly altered BOB 145, with the first bit  - going towards Huldenberg and Ottenburg - skipped . But the remainder was still quite a ride, with some nasty hills, some even steep and/or long enough to demand a passage on the inner ring. Most of the hills have gradients around 4, 5 or 6 degrees, with an occasional 7 degrees popping up. These can all be taken on the big ring. The ride takes a loop through Nethen, Pecrot, Bossut and Grez , then taking off towards Chaumont Gistoux were the first climb awaits. The ascent towards Longueville. I must have had good legs because even on the 10% section I still had a gear to spare . Onwards to Incourt, Opprebais and Maleves. Behind Maleves , some smaller tarmac tracks lead me though Thorembais towards the N91. Crossing that the trail takes me to Gerompont before turning towards the south towards Ramillies.
I'm at the southernmost part now and take a left along the Rue Romaine, which runs parallel with the Route de La Hesbaye. I've been here before and just north of Branchon I take a turn towards the North, and into the wind. Towards Jandrenouille and then a left to reach Folx-les-Caves.  I stop for a little bite to eat in the shade of a tree alongside the road. I'm some 65K into the ride and I will need my strength for the next part which takes me mainly to the north, and thus against the breeze. The sun is burning and in a sense the wind is very welcome, because it brings some much needed freshness. From Folx-les-caves a difficult bit brings me to Orp-Jauche where I take a 160 degree turn to the west and Autre-Eglise. After Hedenge and Bomal the road again turns straight to the north and another tough section. But the again I tun left and have the wind in my side when I speed towards Jauchelette. Crossing the Chaussee de Jodoigne and I am on small tarmac roads riding towards the north-northwest.
I've been here many times before and the climb before Dongelberg is a tough one, but I make it on the big ring. Lathuy is next and when I reach the N240 I decide to ride towards Jodoigne instead of braving the cobbles in Saint Remi Geest. From Jodoigne I take the Ravel and join the GPS track again in Zetrud-Lumay. Into Hoegaarden and a stiff climb out of it towards Hauthem. Hoksem and Kumtich are next and before long I am speeding towards Willebringen and Neervelp. A little loop along the E40 towards Bierbeek-Bremt and then I follow the E40 to reach the Galgenberg and Haasrode. A fine ride which took some calories out of me.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 123K and 970 heightmeters (Garmin) in 04h25mins

8187/41665

08-07-2013, 14:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Recovery ride in the planning this morning. Started out with 30-40K in my mind but as I felt my legs being less tired than I expected I expanded the range a bit. Over Bierbeek and Willebringen to Oorbeek and Hautem, where I paused to watch the Suikerrallye. But the best drivers just passed and I decided to ride on. Towards Meldert and L'Ecluse and then to La Bruyere and Beauvechain where I took a left turn to Tourinnes and Hamme Mille. Past Nethen where I saw a lot of mountainbikers, participating in the Meerdael Classic - a ride I once loved to ride myself - coming out or riding into lots of small offroad trails. Blinked back a tear and sped on towards Sint Joris Weert and the Zoete Waters, where I took a left towards Korbeek Dyle. Towards Egenhoven and the back over Heverlee and along the Naamsesteenweg into Blanden. Good ride, refreshing and recovering for the legs. The temperature was in the 26 degrees area but a breeze out of the North kept the oxygen levels high.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 63K and 390 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h12mins

8064/40695

07-07-2013, 12:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

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.

06-07-2013, 15:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Super weather this afternoon so when I got home from work I started out with the Vortex for an evening ride. Bierbeek, Willebringen and Kumtich brought me towards Vissenaken. I made for Glabbeek and then recognized Meensel. In Sint Joris Winge I crossed the Diestse Steenweg and took that towards Lubbeek and Kessel Lo. Wind in the back here so I could make good speed. In Lubbeek I stopped at the De Cock Mitsubishi garage to see how my Evo IX was doing. The garage is waiting for a replacement part from RalliArt Germany, an oil temperature sensor. So I am waiting for that as well. Since my holiday is starting today I would have preferred to have the Evo on hand to make a few rides with this fantastic car. But as it stands I will have to be patient.
From Kessel Lo I joined the Tiensesteenweg before taking the Expressweg towards Blanden and home. Good fast ride in good conditions.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 54K and 360 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h45mins

05-07-2013, 20:37 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Riding out around 6.30PM I set towards the Haasrode Industrie and then followed the Haasrode Toer over Willebringen and Kumtich towards Oorbeek and Hoksem. My legs felt tired from the past 3 rides but I still managed to keep a good pace on the many 5-6% little hills. Arriving at the Marollenkapel I set towards Meldert and L'Ecluse and then turned to La Bruyere and Beauvechain. It was warm with an average temperature of 23 degrees C and there was no wind to speak of. It was overcast but it did not rain. Returning over Opvelp, Neervelp and Bierbeek to the Haasrode Industrie and then for a last fast stretch along the Expressweg into Blanden. Another ride with the Garmin heartrate monitor .

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 56.5K and 420 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h52mins

7813/39145

02-07-2013, 21:07 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

My Polar heartrate belt has been performing erronously for the last couple of rides, so for this evenings' ride I decided to don the Garmin heartrate belt and transmitter. I only used the Polar S710 as a speed capture device.
Starting out over the Zoete Waters and Korbeek Dyle I followed the Sint Jansberg Steenweg to Huldenberg and further on to Overijse. Climbing out of Overijse towards Maleizen and the left and right into the Reutenbeek to drop into Terlanen along the Bergstraat. Up to Wavre Industrie and then towards Ottenburg and Sint Agatha Rode where I had the wind in my back and could up the speed. Sint Joris Weert and the Zoete Waters again to close the loop over Vaalbeek. A fast and furious ride, short and sweet.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 44.5K and 325 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h26mins

7757/38725

01-07-2013, 20:31 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

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

Today was the day the Decathlon Classic in Leuven took place. I half set my mind on doing one of the longer distances, but the weather forecast made me stay at home instead. Cold, light rain and wind were the ingredients during this late June saturday morning. Around noon I decided to ride out nevertheless and set out on the Vortex along a track I found on Strava. It was a 100K ride passing through Blanden and then making its way towards Willebringen and the Marollenkapel. Along L'Ecluse and La Bruyere there was some light rain which became intenser as I neared the Pietrebais area. I decided to call it a day and let the WTCool go towards Grez Doiceau. Me I rode to Hamme Mille. But when I reached Hamme Mille the rain had stopped and the streets already became drier. My legs and pants were still wet, and my sunglasses needed cleaning. I rode towards Nethen where I picked up on the WTCool track again. Going towards Huldenberg where the Smeysberg was a tough nut to crack. I had to put the chain on the 34 in front, having done the rest of the ride on the 50 up till now. Once over the Smeys the chain went back on the big ring and remained there whilst I followed the Sint Jansberg steenweg into and beyond Egenhoven. Along the Tervuursesteenweg to the Leuvense ring and then into the Willem de Croylaan. Along Heverleebos and the Naamsesteenweg back into Blanden and I even saw the sun peeping through during my last couple of kilometers. I am glad I did not stay at home but once again I was being tested along the way, deciding to pull through and make the best of the ride instead of giving in and ridng the short way home.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 78K and 580 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h42mins

7609/37800

29-06-2013, 16:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I didn't feel motivated to ride out this evening. It was cold with 17 degrees C and there was a breeze from the northwest adding to the autumn-like feeling. Damn, it's supposed to be 25 degrees or more around this time of the year. But I rode out and did a couple of laps around the Industri Park in Haasrode. Getting fed up with the constant battle against the wind during half of the lap I decided to do a bigger tour, rifing to Bierbeek, Meldert and then taking a right after the Bosberg in the direction of La Bruyere. The wind was playing with me again, but I battled on towards Beauvechain and Opvelp. Left to Bierbeek and then back to the Haasrode Industrie Park for another couple of laps. Just reaching 30kph on average which is - all things considered - not bad at all.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 60K and 355 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h59mins

7531/37220

27-06-2013, 21:18 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another beautiful summer day in Belgium - not - because it was barely 15 degrees C and some light drizzle was falling, hurried along by a strong southwestern breeze when I left home . Riding along the Expressweg towards the Tiensesteenweg I had the wind in my back. Following the N3 all the way to the ring around Tienen and then taking a right turn towards Hoegaarden where I could for the first time during this ride enjoy a good strong headwind. Hurrying to get to the Ravel 2 and its relative shelter. Past Jodoigne and the clouds were more and more menacing. Some light rain was falling from time to time, but the wind dried it up as soon as it fell. Following the Ravel towards Perwez but cutting to the right on the N91. The wind was blowing from my left now and even though I could maintain a good speed along the N91, I had to take care because it blew with gusts and they could put me off-centre. Speeding along I quickly arrived in Hamme Mille where I took the same direction as the day before. Through Nethen, Sint Joris Weert and then a left turn at the Zoete Waters to arrive in Korbeek Dyle. Following the Sint Jansbergsteenweg into Egenhoven and then back over Arenberg and Heverlee. Along the Naamsesteenweg through Heverlee bos into Blanden. A good ride despite the weather conditions and I was glad I did not stay at home for the same reason.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 86K and 500 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h56mins

7471/36865

23-06-2013, 14:01 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

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

Warm but threatening skies when I left home on the Vortex around 7pm. With temperatures of around 25 degrees and a little breeze the conditions were excellent for some fast lap, not too far from home to be able to ride home if a thunderstorm should be approaching. Apart from some dark skies and a couple of big raindrops all was peachy though. But the thunderstorms will come, tonight ot tomorrow, the red and purple blotches on meteox.be are approaching.
I had very good legs today and the Haasrode Industrie tarmac was smooth rolling. The little climb went well and I had a best average lap of nearly 33.5kph. No surprise that my average on the 60K ride was more than 30kph.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 61K and 345 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h53mins

7394.5/35775

20-06-2013, 21:52 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This evening I was home around 7.30 and it was still 32 degrees C when I rode out. There was only the slightest breeze blowing and even the tarmac felt sticky. My legs were good though and I decided to do some extended laps around the Haasrode Industriepark. Making it a good 8K in lenght when I was satisfied with the lap. Did a couple of them and managed to get the average speed up to around 30kph, even though there were a couple of faux-plats in it, sometimes going up to 4%. But the legs were good and I did a solid 2 hours ride, without really pushing things. With this temperature it is better not to push too hard. The hot bath afterwards was really hot and I just kept on sweating.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 60K and 355 heightmeters in 1h58mins

7234/35430

18-06-2013, 22:31 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw brighter weather than yesterday and I decided to go for another long ride. Starting out through the Weertse Dreef - badly in need of either less cars or a new tarmac - and then worked my way ove Nethen, Tourinnes and Beauvechain towards La Bruyere and the N240. There was a smidgen less wind than yesterday, and with the sun out -albeit it glazed some of the time - it did not bother me as much as yesterday. Following the N240 until I took a left into Sart Melin. In Melin I took a right turn back to the  N240. Crossing that I passed through Lathuy and later Dongelberg and Jauchelette. The trail was ondulating up and down and I was determined to keep the chain on the big ring. With the hills going to 6 and 7% at times that meant standing up on the steepest bits. In Bomal I took a right turn towards Ramillies where I came upon the Ravel leading to Perwez. Following that I took a left on the crossing with the N91 and before long I was in Eghezee. On the Ravel 2 until I reached the crossing with the Ravel leading to Landen. Following the N279 until I reached Autre-Eglise where I injected myself on the Ravel.
Following that until I reached Landen. From Landen I had to ride to the West which meant the wind was coming into play. Neerwinden and then the Lf6 towards Ezemaal, Outgaarden and Hoegaarden. The climb out of Hoegaarden was taken on a good tempo and before long I was diving into Meldert. The hills became more difficult but I still managed them on the big ring as I had set out to do. Opvelp, Bierbeek and then back into Blanden along the Expressweg. The wind was blowing in my face for the last couple of kilometers and then I was home, with yet another good solid ride under my belt.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 112K and 715 heightmeters (Garmin) in 04h03mins

7174/35075

16-06-2013, 15:18 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

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

Menacing clouds but nice temperatures of 25 degrees C, even more, so I decided to ride out but stay relatively close to home. There was a stiff breeze blowing from the west so when I arrived at the Haasrode Industrie Terrain I chose to do the lap counterclockwise. This makes it 100 metres longer but also has a 5% hill in it, as opposed to the 4% if you do the lap clockwise. Also, care has te be taken at one point because you have to take a left turn with oncoming traffic against you. But I managed to turn my rounds without much trouble. Around 45K into the ride I decided to ride the lap clockwise for a few turns to make it an even 50K before heading back home along the Expressweg. This proved to be quite difficult with the wind blowing in my face but I managed to keep my 30kph average.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 55K and 310 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h48mins

6956/33550

12-06-2013, 20:26 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I wasted 2 inner tyres this morning whilst putting 6 bars into my rear tyre. High pressure and Continental Light inner tyres do not seem to be a good match. They both blew just next to the soupape. Strange. I put in another - heavier - inner tyre and it takes 6 bars without any trouble. Light is not always better it seems. Lost 20 minutes before I could start. Bummer. 6 bars is about the max I want to put in a tyre. It makes the bike skitty and is hell on cobbles. But when climbing out of the saddle I love the steady feeling of well-inflated tyres over the slight wobbliness of a 4-5 bar tyre.
Today I wanted to relax my legs some, so I chose a minus 100K ride and went for it. The Biz On The Bike trails from a couple of years ago suited me fine. Some climbing to be done, but I did not complete them on the big ring if they went over 6-7%. Instead I chose the inner chainring more often in order to put not too much stress on my still recovering leg muscles. The BIZ is a nice track, not the easiest as the heightmeters will testify, and with todays' wind - again - it even became more difficult, especially in the last quarter of the ride. When I rode into Hoegaarden, I chose to finish my ride along the Tiensesteenweg, so I rode towards the R27 around Tienen and followed the N3 until I reached the Expressweg. From there I rode to Haasrode Industrie were I did five laps in order to come to 100K.
During the last half hour of the ride, the sun came through so I put the BlitzFeder in my back pocket and enjoyed the warmth during the local laps in Haasrode Industrie and on the Expressweg into Blanden. My legs were very well spent and are in need of recuperation after this intense weekend.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 102K and 775 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h38mins

6901/33240

09-06-2013, 16:02 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today looked like a good day for a long ride. The sun was out early and no clouds were to be seen . There was a stiff breeze blowing from the North-Northeast . I prepared a track yesterday. Following the Haasrode-Huy-Haasrode along peaceful villages like Sart Melin, Huppaye, Autre-Eglise , Branchon and Wasseiges until I reached the N80 just before Burdinne. I felt like continuing but I had an important rendez-vous in the afternoon so I decided against it and rode back over Hannêche and then over Orp-Le Grand through the Little Gete valley. I kept the chain on the big ring during the entire ride and this provided me with some strong moments on some of the steep parts. I would not call them hills, just more than faux-plat. 6, 7% at the most. Arriving in Saint Jean Geest I knew Hoegaarden wasn't far way and I could continue on well-known streets. The last kilometers hurt but I still managed to set a best time on the Expressweg section between Haasrode Industrie and Blanden. The wind for sure was my ally here but still it gives a good impression of how good my legs were.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 115.5K and 780 heightmeters in 04h03mins

6799/32465

08-06-2013, 14:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw some fine weather with temperatures reaching 23 degrees C in the late afternoon. I rode out with the Vortex with the idea of doing a 3hrs ride. Over Bierbeek , Willebringen and Kumtich I rode to Hoegaarden where I took the Ravel 2 in the direction of Jodoigne and Eghezee. After 1h30 I was in Eghezee, 45K into the ride. Nice 30kph average. Turning back along the N91 I noticed there was only a slight breeze blowing from the East-Northeast. So I could maintain my high average and I felt good in the legs. I was strong and could keep the chain on the big ring all the time. Arriving in Pietrebais I turned towards La Bruyere and Beauvechain and then straight on to Opvelp. Left towards Bierbeek I was riding into the setting sun. I did 4 laps on the Haasrode Industrie terrain to finish my 3hrs and then rode home along the Expressweg into Blanden. Good solid ride with a good solid feeling in the legs.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 95K and 520 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h12mins

6684/31685

05-06-2013, 22:25 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf