A pulled muscle in my buttock made me take it easy for a couple of days. That, coupled with 34 degrees temperatures had me 3 days off of the bike. Instead I took a couple of forest walks and yesterday I did nothing. Nothing !
Today I couldn't hold myself, I had to ride out. I took it easy and rode to the Zoete Waters and Korbeek Dyle, from there I took the Sint Jansberg steenweg to Neerijse. Taking a left brought me along the Wolfshaegen to Sint Joris Weert. On to Nethen and Hamme Mille where I overtook another cyclist. We rode together until we reached Beauvechain. He took a right towards Hoegaarden, I had decided on a short ride so I took a left towards Opvelp and Neervelp. Here I rode over the E40 to Bremt. There was a party going on there but I continued and rode into Bierbeek. From Bierbeek I set towards the Haasrode Industrie where I did a couple of easy laps.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 53K and 330 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h53mins30secs

9604/51110

04-08-2013, 12:35 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Last day of July, and I only had to do a short ride to complete an amazing 1800K+ month. The weather has been great and even though I got tired the last week I managed to ride a lot and for long distances. A good month.
Today it started out overcast but dry and I waited until the roads dried out from the previous nights' rain. The wind was blowing strong from the southwest so that would be a factor to take into consideration when plotting out a route. I decided to try the hilly circuit of the Ronde van Vlaams Brabant which took place last week. The competitors had to do this 31.5K lap 3 times but I settled for one. It was quite hilly, with the Holstheide and the Smeysberg being the toughest climbs, but there was also a long climb from Eizer to Duisburg and the Neerpoortenstraat towards Ottenburg. And multiple little hills in between. I had a good day, because I was able to better my climbing time on most of the hills. When I completed the lap I rode home over Neerijse and Egenhoven. Some hills here too and after Egenhoven I completed the lap through Arenberg, Heverlee and then along the Naamsesteenweg into Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 55.5K and 500 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h54mins

9551/50780

31-07-2013, 14:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Last evening I did another forest walk, just under 7K but more than enough to stress my legs in another manner than cycling does. This morning I felt good so I decided on another ride. I started out over Bierbeek, Neervelp and Willebringen to reach Oorbeek and then Hoegaarden where I followed the Ravel 2 until I reached Eghezee. The wind was blowing strong from the southwest and I was glad I could turn towards the north. Along the 15K long stretch on the N91, the wind was blowing from my left side. Taking care to a) avoid the side of the road and b) avoid being run over by the speeding traffic, I made good speed into Pietrebais, where I took a 90 degree turn towards La Bruyere. On to L'Ecluse and then into Meldert. I was facing the northwest now when I left Meldert and finished my loop over Opvelp , Bierbeek, Haasrode and into Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 88K and 530 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h05mins30secs

9496/50280

30-07-2013, 13:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A couple of days of rest, much needed because my legs and my lower back hurt, and a long walk yesterday set my body in recovery mode. This morning I did not feel any more pains and I was ready for an easy break-in ride. I decided to do a part of the 155K "Dwars door Brabant" organised ride. Starting over Bierbeek and Meldert, into L'Ecluse and then through Beauvechain towards Tourinnes and Les Claines. Hamme Mille and Nethen were next. The Bruyere des Wez was its usual steep self and forced me on the small ring in front. The legs were feeling fine though and I felt strong. Back down again, towards Pecrot and there a second steep climb up the La Malaise hill. Back down again and throug Eerken towards Ottenburg. Of course they took the steep Rue Adolphe Snaps / Langeheidestraat which put another load of pressure on my back. From Ottenburg it went down into Terlanen and then up the Holstheide. Down into Huldenberg and back out in the direction of Duisburg. Leefdaal and Bertem were next. I was at the end of the official track so I decided to follow the Tervuursesteenweg towards Leuven. The wind was blowing in my back now. It was quite noticeable and had been giving me trouble all the way moving towards the West. Into Heverlee Terbank. I took a left towards Arenberg and made my way home through Heverlee and along the Naamsesteenweg into Blanden. The weather was sunny but with a strong wind and some clouds building up near the end of the ride. It was quite a hilly ride with some short steep climbs which had me put the chain on the small ring in front quite often.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 77K and 715 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h48mins

9408/49750

29-07-2013, 12:45 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The sky was cloud-ridden and overcast but it was already 24 degrees C when I rode out at 9AM . I settled for a recovery ride because my legs did not feel completely rested. Also, the forecast called for possible rain with heavy showers and thunderstorms. So better not risk getting wet.
As it turned out, it remained overcast and the clouds got darker, but no rain fell during my loop. Starting out over the Zoete Waters, riding towards Sint Joris Weert, Nethen and Hamme Mille where I crossed the N25 and continued riding through Tourinnes, Beauvechain and then taking a left towards Opvelp and Neervelp. Here I took a left turn again and rode towards Bremt and Bierbeek. A couple of laps around the Industrie Park in Haasrode and then returning along the Expressweg into Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 45K and 295 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h37mins

9330/49035

26-07-2013, 11:44 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Two days of rest did wonders with my legs. I had to wait to ride out because around 8AM it started to rain. 15 minutes later the rain stopped but I had to wait until 10AM to ride out because the streets took a while to dry out. I rode my usual lap over Bierbeek, Opvelp, Beauvechain, La Bruyere and L'Ecluse and then set towards Hoegaarden along the Tramstraat. Left towards Sint Katelijne Hauthem and a local loop or two around the Marollen Chapel brought me halfway my ride. Riding back along the Tramstraat, in and out of Meldert and then home whence I had come an hour before.

The sun was out in force now and while the first hour felt refreshing with the ground still drying out after the rain, the second hour was warmer with around 28 degrees C.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 60K and 385 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h01mins

9286/48740

25-07-2013, 13:35 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for an easy recovery ride. My body demanded some rest or active recovery, and I chose the latter. The heat was already building up when I left home around 9AM. Not a cloud in the sky and what little breeze there was blew fromthe dry and warm east-southeast. I did a loop including Bierbeek, OPvelp, Beauvechain, La Bruyere and L'Ecluse. Riding towards Meldert, down on the Bosberg and then up along the Meertstraat towards L'Ecluse again to close the loop whence I came.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 45.5K and 245 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h38mins

9226/48355

22-07-2013, 11:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today I wanted to do a recovery ride. 60-70K and an easy pace. It was sunny and already warming up considerably when I left around 8.45AM. Bierbeek, Meldert, La Bruyere and then the N240 in the direction of Jodoigne. From there I rode towards Dongelberg. Crossing the N91 in Incourt I noticed the road towards Longueville would be closed due to a local event so I took a left towards Opprebais . From Opprebais to Chaumont, then to Gistoux and the long way up to Longueville. From Longueville I dropped into Grez and rode onwards to Hamme Mille. I was feeling good so I decided to add another loop over Nodebais, then Tourinnes and Beauvechain , crossing Opvelp towards Neervelp and then up towards the globe in Boierbeek. From Bierbeek I rode to the Haasrode Industrie where I decided to do some loop to make it a 100K ride. The wind was blowing calmly from the east, letting the sun bake and burn. I had an average of 28 degrees C on my Polar when I finished my ride. Legs felt fine.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 101.5K and 715 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h37mins

9181/48110

21-07-2013, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was overcast this morning. Still, the temperature was already up to 20 degrees C and there was a nice cooling breeze blowing from the northeast. I rode out towards Bierbeek, Meldert and Hoegaarden to inject myself on the Ravel 2. The northeaster blew me nicely past Jodoigne and Eghezee until I reached the highest point of the Ravel, just shy of 200 metres, in Cognelee. I decided to return along the Ravel and after Jodoigne I followed the N29 through Zetrud-Lumay and then took a left towards Hoegaarden. Little loop towards Overlaar on the R29 around Tienen, before returning to Oorbeek. Kumtich and Willebringen brought me towards Opvelp. Through Bierbeek again and I finished off my 4h ride with laps in the Haasrode Industrie terrain. Back towards Blanden along the Expressweg and a good solid ride once again. The sun played hide and seek throughout the ride and that kept the temperature relatively low, a fact that did not bother me because it meant less heat.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 121.5K and 595 heightmeters (Garmin) in 04h12mins

9079/47395

20-07-2013, 14:10 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today I was planning the last of a triplet of 100K rides. I chose an easier path by taking the Vaart towards Mechelen, then onwards to Heindonk and Boom along the Zennegat. The wind, however, was blowing strong today. This was good because it was also quite hot quite soon in the day, but it also gave me some work battling myself towards the Northeast. When I reached Boom, some 49K in the ride, I stopped for a snack and to take some pictures of the Sherman tank that stands watch over the river Rupel in Klein Willebroek.

After my snack I started on the way back. The wind was more or less in my favor now, more or less because on some occasion when my direction was veering towards the East, it bothered me. But I could maintain a good pace even though I was beginning to feel the effects of the 2 previous rides in my legs and the sun was also shining in my face. Lots of drinking and like I said before, the breeze was doing wonders. I arrived home with a good average and a satisfied feeling in my legs.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 101K and 210 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h27mins

8958/46800

18-07-2013, 13:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A while back I started out on this ride, but I had to cut it short due to rain falling and making the roads wet and slippery and visibility bad. Today, the weather was warm and dry, with the first couple of hours seeing the sun hide behind high clouds. There was a little breeze from the north, not worth bothering about it.
I started on the track, and was taken over Willebringen to the Marollenkapel in Hauthem, where the official start is. From Hauthem I rode to La Bruyere and onwards to Pietrebais. Wanting to avoid the busy Chaussee de Jodoigne I rode through Pietrebais to go to Grez. From Grez, the long climb towards Longueville followed. From Longueville it went to Chaumont. Here the trail followed the busy Chaussee de Huy. The bikepath is a ruins and riding on the road is close to suicidal. I did do a bit of it on the road, the traffic being not too bad. The drop into Basse Wavre set me up for the climb out of it. The trail takes the 10% average Mur de Wavre but I decided to take the long way around the Bawette and join the trail back just before it turns into Ottenburg. From Ottenburg it went to Eerken and Pecrot and then the climb towards Nethen. Only 15% this one but this was the only time on this ride I had to drop the chain on the small ring in front. From Nethen to Sint Joris Weert and then towards the Wolfshagen and the Keiberg up the Smeys. The trail takes the Smeysberg upwards, I took it in the reverse direction, dropping down the Smeysberg and taking the climb back up along the Koxstraat. Down via the Kleinwaverstraat and then I was on the Sint Jasnberg steenweg riding towards Egenhoven. A couple of climbs along the way but nothing to bother me. Instead of riding all the way to the Leuvense Ring I took another track past the Imec building and Arenberg, coming back on the official track at the English Cemetery in Heverlee. Into Blanden and I was back home. A good track, with some dangerous roads and some steep hills, the latter can be avoided by taking alternatives if you don't feel up to riding a gradient of 17% or more .

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 104.5K and 865 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h44mins

8857/46590

17-07-2013, 13:27 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a days' rest I was curious how my legs would feel . I started out early to beat the heat. The northern wind was less pronounced so that cooling factor was gone. I decided on a 100K ride. The Rondom Blanden track fits that bill. Starting out over the Zoete Waters and Korbeek Dyle, then towards Leefdaal and up and over the crest to reach Duisburg . On to Eizer and Overijse where I zoomed down the Schavei. From Overijse to Huldenberg and up the Koxberg. Down the Holstheide and through Terlanen towards Ottenburg. The climbs went well. I could keep the chain on the big ring. From Ottenburg it went towards Eerken and then left to Sint Agatha Rode. Nethen and then pecrot were next. Some cobbles to reach Les Monts. Through Grez and the up the long climb towards Heze and Longueville. By now I was well over mid-ride and when I reached Happeau I decided to stop and have a snack.

Onwards to La Bruyere where I did and extra loop before entering Beauvechain. The long climb out of Beauvechain towards Opvelp and then into Neervelp made me realise there was some wind blowing from the north after all. Into Bremt and then towards Bierbeek and Haasrode Industrie where I completed half a lap before following the Expressweg into Blanden. Home just after noon.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 101K and 720 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h31mins

8752/45725

16-07-2013, 13:55 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After watching Froome win the Tour de France stage to the top of the Mont ventoux, completing the climb in a little less than 1 hour, I decided to ride out myself. My legs still felt relatively fresh and with a resting heartrate of 42 this morning I don't think I am overtraining? Still, I have been riding  10 days in a row now, completing 838K in that time. Not bad but I think a resting day won't go amiss.
So this evening I took it easy, starting out over Arenberg and Egenhoven, then towards Leefdaal and up the ridge towards Neerijse and the N253. Following that past Huldenberg and Overijse to reach Maleizen. Here I took a left towards Tombeek and then tight towards the Wavre Industrie Park. Through Ottenburg and Sint Agatha Rode, Sint Joris Weert and along the Zoete Waters to reach Vaalbeek and Blanden. With temperatures of 27 degrees it was balmy and calm and I had a good recovery ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 57K and 375 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h54mins

8651/45005

14-07-2013, 19:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The sky was overcast but the sun was bound to break through. Started with long sleeves and the Assos Blitzfeder because it was only 16 degrees and the wind was blowing from the cold corner. The plan was to follow the Lf6a - Vlaanderen Stedenroute - until I reached the picturesque village of Heks. Heks - translated in English that means Witch - is a little village not far from Heers and Tongeren. Some 70K east of where I live. So I took it relatively easy on the way out, enjoying the landscape of the Haspengouw fruit region. Cherries and apples were hanging on the trees. The first looked ripe for the picking the latter were definately not ripe. The landscape started to ondulate a little more once I reached Brustem, with some 4-6% hills. In Heks I stopped for a snack and I took a couple of pictures of the church. I was 2h30 into the ride and some 68km from home.

On the way back I removed my armlings and the Blitzfeder, the sun was coming through the clouds now, and with the wind slightly in my back my pace was a little faster as well. Even though my legs were beginning to tire from the succession of small hills. When I rode past Goetsenhoven my Garmin 705 added 9K to my distance in a couple of seconds. No idea why it did that but on the map you can see I covered that distance and I reached a speed of no less than 774kph. I am no jet fighter so there definately was something wrong with the measurement there. When I reached home I had 149K , I looked at th eride with Mapsource and detracted the 9K that my garmin added. That still leaves me with  a very respectable 140K in a little less than 5 hours. A good solid ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 140K and 990 heightmeters (Garmin) in 04h58mins

8594/44630

13-07-2013, 16:12 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Sun was hiding behind the clouds and the northeasterly wind made it feel cold. Long sleeves then and I set out for a short recovery ride. Bierbeek to Meldert, Meldert to La Bruyere and then over Beauvechain and Tourinnes to Hamme Mille. On to Nethen and Sint Joris Weert and back home over the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek. Feeling in the legs was Ok but I felt a bit tired overall.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 41.5K and 240 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h25mins

8454/43640

12-07-2013, 12:50 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Passed chez Filip Sport this morning to have my rear wheel straightened. Was a small bump but the Vortex is a very narrow frame and the tyre could be rubbing the frame during heavy loads. But all is straight now and I decided to ride as well today. Past noon the sun broke through the clouds and the temperatures went over 20 degrees. There was a stiff breeze blowing from the northeast that bothered me as I rode out towards Bierbeek, Hoegaarden, past Goetsenhoven to Ezemaal. Here I was 1 hour out and I decided to ride back whence I came. With the wind in the back this part of the ride was more of a recovery than the first part. Which suited me fine because that way I could up the speed without demanding too much from my legs.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 58K and 385 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h57mins

8413/43400

11-07-2013, 16:07 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today the plan was to ride to Villers la Ville. Starting out over Vaalbeek, Sint Joris Weert, Sint Agatha Rode, Eerken and Grez Doiceau I rode onwards to Chaumont Gistoux. Crossing the Chaussee de Huy the road climbed when I rode past Corroy Le Grand and Corbais. To the south, and even further to the south after Mont Saint Guibert. The wind was blowing in my back and the sun was being obsured by clouds from time to time. But temperatures were still pleasantly in the 20-25 degrees C range and I was enjoying the varying landscapes. When I left Mont Saint Guibert, the hills became more pronounced , the valleys deeper. Past Mellery and Strichon a first steep hill announced itself. I had to shift on the 34 in front . Entering Villers la Ville I took a little break and I was awed by the Abbey.

Out of Villers along another nice long climb. This one was manageable on the big ring, but only just. Into Genappe and then a long drop to reach Lasne. The wind had been bothering me for a while now, every time I headed straight north. It kept me cool but it also made the long faux-plats harder to ride. Lasne brought me another tough climb and another one when I reached La Hulpe and had to climb out past the lake to the road towards Overijse. On common ground now when I cycled past Maleizen and then set forth to Overijse itself. The long climb along the Chaussee de Bruxelles is a classic and I managed it on the big ring. Right towards Eizer and then on towards Duisburg and Vossem. Into Leefdaal and then climbing out of it, the wind more or less in my back. Following the small tarmac road over the crest put me back into the wind and I was glad to take a tight, dropping down towards the Sint Jansberg Steenweg. Pretty standard last 10K now, over Egenhoven and Arenberg towards Heverlee and along the Naamseseteenweg towards Blanden. A good solid ride with over a 1000 heightmeters.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 111K and 1010 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h58mins

8355/43015

10-07-2013, 14:58 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

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