Time for a longer ride. The weather forecast called for pleasant and dry weather in the AM but in the afternoon the possibility of showers would increase. So I rode out around 10AM and made my way through Meerdael Forest and Sint Joris Weert towards Sint Agatha Rode where I picked in on the Overijse Bloso trails. The trails were super, dry except for the mudtrap near Overijse and fast. The Merlin felt right at home and I was happy to be able to ride these familiar trails again. I nearly went OTB when my front wheel got caught in a deep rut filled with water near the Overijse ponds. But I managed to prevent myself from tipping over and rode on unscathed. Through Overijse where I almost collided with a car that stopped right in the middle of the bicycle lane at a red right. Good thing my Hope disc brakes are strong and my reactions fast. I was glad I was out of Overijse and climbing along the Reutenbeek for a super section working mt way towards Tombeek. I was by this time almost 2 hours into the ride, my longest ride to date this year, and I was a long way from home. Down the Schaatboekstraat and then onwards towards the Bilande farm. Stopping for a picture break on the bridge over the Lane.

01-05-2014, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I felt rather good today, apart from the upside of the shin/inside of the knees area which still is painful. I took the Moots YBB out for a ride that would comprise a fair bit of climbing in a compact area . I tried to take in a couple of fine trails with descents and climbs and while I could do a super loop, I had to dismount here and there because of forest works which left large trees scattered over the trails.
Nevertheless I did enjoy myself during the 9K and almost 250 heightmeters Wolventrail. If you can do this 10 times in succession you are a mountainbike hero. In my current condition even doing it twice would have been too much. My knees give me pain when I'm standing up , directing the bike between my legs in the downhills. I think I should take it easy for a couple of days to allow the painful areas to recuperate and heal.

After the intense trails, I returned to easier tracks over the Kluis and the parallel to the Weertse Dreef. Some kind of cooling down. I noticed the grazers were back in the open ex-military areas whilst I was doing another loop towards the Keiberg and Vaalbeek , to enter Heverleebos for a brief stretch before returning into Meerdael following the Prosperdreef.

The weather was great. It had rained a bit during the early hours of the day which left the trails dust-free but still relatively dry. When I rode out it was still 20 degrees C.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 23.5K and 350 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h19mins

2158/3590

29-04-2014, 19:26 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Although I felt some fatigue this morning, I decided to ride out to check how my body would react whilst riding 2 days in succession outside. I decided to ride towards the Brabant Walloon region, a region I know very well and have come to love over the last 10 years. It has been a while since I rode a mountainbike out of Meerdael Forest and into the plains of La Malaise. Into Florival and then along a small track towards Gastuche. The hills are all a bit longer here, and sometimes old tracks that lead somewhere have now been blocked. I had to turn back twice. Once because of a private forest blocked the road, another time while trying to circumvene some military installation near Grez. The road seems to have been blocked, almost comouflaged, at the top of a very steep and deeply-rutted climb. I had to dismount several times, riding up and coming down. I took plan B to make it into Grez and then dropped into the village where some kind of bric-a-brac forced me to ride back towards Archennes where I took the steep Rue de la Hocaille out of the Train valley. Along Bossut and then back into Meerdael Forest via Les Claines. The sun was shining but when some clouds obscured her, it became noticeably colder. It was fresh in the forest as well but I enjoyed some technical bits over the Warande pond before returning towards the Naamsesteenweg along some nice singletrails and bigger trails alike.

Crossing the N25 I rode home along the Margrietendreef, having enjoyed a great ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 30.5K and 365 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h36mins

2135/3240

27-04-2014, 13:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Having more or less recovered from the hurting shin/knee, I decided to take the Merlin out today for a spin along the second part of the O2 Bikers Bierbeek roadbook. Picking up where I left it last monday , the section dropping down and riding out of the Nethen valley proved to be a very physical one. Steep climbs followed by tricky descents, just the way I like it. The bike performed well and before long I was at the Hertebron drinking some fresh water.

Onwards in and out of Sint Joris Weert and another drop that took me at at bottom of a long climb out of the Borrestraat. The trail now made its way towards the Zoete Waters where I stopped at the Minnebron for another sip of cool water.

Up the Keiberg and then onwards to reach the Kluis, where another couple of fine trails were awaiting me. The steep climb on the Blue Bloso and then a left along the ridge and another left towards the Denteneerspad . I was now back in the region of the DOVO military compound and finished off the ride over the bridge across the Naamsesteenweg and the following some single track towards the Margrietendreef. Back home with a good feeling and a fine ride behind me.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 23.5K and 355 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h21mins

2105/2880

26-04-2014, 13:28 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another Tacx Satori ride today. My knees were feeling better compared to yesterday but I decided another day on the rollers wouldn't do any harm. Outside it was well into the 20ies temperature-wise but I toughed it out on the Hilset and the Tacx Satori. Hoping tomorrow would still bring some clement weather .

Ride Stats : 40.5K in 01h01mins

2080/2525   

25-04-2014, 19:03 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday I did a powerwalk session, meaning I walked for 3 minutes and jogged for one. Alternating for 6km. Afterwards I could feel the inside of my knee/shin joint becoming painful and this morning and during the day that pain got worse.
So instead of riding out this late afternoon I decided to stay indoors and sweat it out on the Tacx Satori instead. Riding on the rollers allowed me to make clean circles and not stress any of the painful areas. Bummer because outside it was really fine weather. Lessons learned, stop believing that you can still run ! I have to be realistic about this. At this time I have no time to check out what I am doing wrong whilst running/jogging. Instead I need to focus on the bike . So no more running, only walking it from now on.
On the Hilset I still was able to maintain a very good speed, resulting in a high average with a low heartrate.

Ride Stats : 41.5K in 01h01mins

2040/2525

24-04-2014, 18:41 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I had to try the O2 Bikers Bierbeek roadbook today. From what I read it looked promising.I took the Merlin out again and decided to take it easy. The Merlin is a very good bike and it always beckons me to ride it fast. But my body is not ready for fast yet. So I took it easy as I set out into Mollendaalbos and making my way towards Bierbeek. The roadbook took in some nice little trails and it looked like who-ever devised it knows his way around these forests. Back into Mollendaal for another succession of trails that are also in my personal favorites. When the track crossed the Naamsesteenweg things got serious heightmeters-wise. The deep valley of Sainte Nicaise offers quite a few steep hills and descents. The loop didn't shy away from dangerous sections either so I was glad I was on the Merlin because of the added safety of full suspension and disc brakes.

The trail then went towards the Savenal area and here I decided to leave it for the time being, doing the last quarter on another ride. I was nearing the 1h30 mark and that is the most I want to be out for at the time being. Taking some easier forest trails on the last couple of kilometers in order to cool down properly.
Afterwards I did a stretching and Core Stab session, focussing on static exercises.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 28K and 365 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h31mins

1998/2525

21-04-2014, 13:23 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time to wake up Mr Merlin from his long winter sleep. It has been in fact over 2 years ago since it has ridden. On March the 21st of 2012 to be exact. I had to check the pressure in the suspension and the rear tyre needed an inner tyre because the NoTubes fluid had long ago evaporated.
Riding out on this bike shows exactly what a full suspension bike does for comfort and speed. I passe Roger L. on the climb out of the Zoete Waters. He was fiddling with his saddle height so I let him do that and then we rode on together; It had been a while since we met and we had lots to talk about. While we were doing that the perfect offroad trails passed under out wheels. We crossed Geert B. but he looked to be miles away. I'm sure he did not recognize either of us. Or at least his reaction did not surmise that he did.

We did an alternative uphill after passing the Kluis and also a much more exiting downhill towards the Savenel wall. NEa the end I added an extra loop to make sure I had an hours' worth of riding. Roger already had a lot more kilometers so when we shook hands I believe we were both very pleased with the ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 25.5K and 285 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h14mins

1970/2160

20-04-2014, 13:42 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday I did a session of Nancy Farzans' core and pilates exercises. I received my foam roller and ankle bands and could do all the exercises. The foam roller in particular is a very painful experience. I looked at a video showing its use for the complete body and did some more exercises for my legs and buttocks this morning.
In the afternoon I took the Moots YBB out for a quick spin along the Red Meerdael BLOSO route. The trails were bone-dry and hard and there was a mean wind blowing from the north. Intermittent sunshine made it more or less bearable but I still wore long sleeves and a windstopper.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 23K and 285 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h05mins

1945/1875

18-04-2014, 16:06 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather remains dry and sunny and today I was home early from work and decided to take the Moots YBB out on the Green Meerdael BLOSO route. The route has been altered in the vicinity of the E40 and I followed the new trace along the E40 to the tunnel underneath it. Afterwards the trail was very well known and at some points I decided to take the bigger trails instead of the singletracks to avoid having to move too much on the bike. I tried concentrating on tensing my abdominal muscles during the climbs and succeeded rather well in doing so.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 27.5K and 240 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h15mins

1922/1590

16-04-2014, 16:45 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for the Moots YBB. I pumped 2 bars of pressure in the front and rear tyre and set out for a ride into Meerdael Forest. I quickly learned that I needed to adjust a few things. A couple of tenths of a bar lower pressure in the front would suit me better. In the rear as well but maybe I will change the Rocket Ron for a bigger volume Racing Ralph as well. The rear disc brake also seems to be slightly too tight, causing the pads to have permanent contact with the disc, which tends to slow things down a bit.

Nevertheless I had a good ride, enjoying the sunny but fresh weather, with a stiff breeze from the North. After an hour and a quarter I was nearing my home again.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 27K and 320 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h17mins

1894/1350

14-04-2014, 18:59 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Last evening I had a Core Stab/Pilates one on one with Nancy Farzan. Amazing how manu muscles are weak and can be strengthened by some specific exercises.
Today I felt that session in my core but decided to ride out and take it easy to let the morning stiffness wither away. I had the ambition to do a slightly longer ride so I sat out towards the Sonian Forest. Through Meerdael and the Doode Beemde and then up the ridges of the Yse valley and in Duisburg I could enter the Sonian Forest.

12-04-2014, 13:41 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was fine and in the late afternoon I rode out for another hour of mountainbiking. Taking the Litespeed Obed again I started out in Meerdael Forest and made my way to Sint Joris Weert and the Doode Beemde. Passing the bridge where I fell two years ago and then hobbling along the trails in the nature reserve. Back into Sint Joris Weert meant climbing up to the Kluis and further onwards before I reached the Red Bloso. Overtaking another biker only to be left standing on the next climb. Hmmm, my legs are not exactly what they once were it seems. But I continued on my own rhythm and returned home along the Eleonore and Margrieten dreef, with another fine ride under my belt.

Ride Stats : 24.5K and 230 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h07mins

1832/670

10-04-2014, 19:34 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a days' rest I was ready for another mountainbike ride into Meerdael Forest . Again on the Litespeed Obed I set out along the perimeter of the forest on mostly large and easy trails. There were a little more heightmeters in todays' ride but I still was able to maintain a good speed, also given the fact that it had rained a bit yesterday and the trails weren't completely dry everywhere. But they were comfortable and my body held together.

Ride Stats : 25.5K and 240 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h09mins

1808/440

09-04-2014, 19:58 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

About time I got my ass on a bike and rode out. So I got on the Litespeed Obed and rode out into Meerdael Forest. Sticking to the big forest trails and carefully starting to see how my lower back and knees would stand up to the surprise of riding on a real bike instead of the Tacx.
Things went quite well, I could feel the knees but the rest of my body seemed pretty pleased with the tension brought on by cycling through the wind, on real tracks and with the little and big bumps of the trails trough my tyres and front suspension. I had a real good time breathing the forest air deeply into my lungs and enjoying the cool breeze and the sunshine. I settled for an hour and could maintain a very good pace, even through the end.

Ride Stats : 23K and 200 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h00mins

1782/200

07-04-2014, 18:43 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Time for another ride on the Tacx Satori. I finished with Stephen Kings' 'Doctor Sleep' today, so I might be looking at riding outside anytime soon. The legs felt Ok except for some pain in my knees which is due to my running sessions. I have put the running on hold for the moment, waiting for the knees to catch up.
Afterwards I did a 30 minute stretching and Core Stabilization session.

Ride Stats : 42.5K in 01h01mins

1759/0

02-04-2014, 19:19 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

31-03-2014, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Did another 4K forest run yesterday afternoon. I am having some difficulty with my inner upper shins and it looks like I need some other shoes to run. I have been using Vivo Barefoot Breathro runners because I like their line of shoes and wear them everyday. But running with such minimalist sole protection looks too difficult and puts too much strain on areas where I do not want any strain. I have ordered some Nike Flyknit Air Max shoes that should offer some more protection. Let's hope they are better for my shins.
Today I went for an hour on the Tacx Satori. Temperatures outside are going over 20 degrees C today but I want to finish Stephen Kings' 'Doctor Sleep' so I got on the Tacx and pedalled away while the adventures unfolded themselves. I had a good ride and my shins do not bother me whilst riding a bike so I feel lucky about that.
Afterwards I did a 30 minute stretching and Core Stab session.

Ride Stats : 42K in 01h01mins

1674/0

30-03-2014, 13:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday I had another forest run, a little more than half an hour alternating running and walking intervals.
Today I go on the Tacx Satori for another hour of recovery. The legs were feeling good, notwithstanding the fact that the muscles used in the running were still hurting. But running and cycling muscles are not the same, so both sports are quite complimentary as far as the legs are concerned.

Ride Stats : 42.5K in 01h01mins

1632/0

28-03-2014, 19:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday I did the first of a series of workouts programmed on Endomondo. The goal is to be able to run a 10K distance by June the 1st. This first workout was a 29 minute affair alternating running and walking minutes. I did a total of 4K in the forest.
Today I settled for an hour on the Tacx Satori, trying to cycle the muscle soreness away. Did a good job at it and afterwards a stretching and Core Stab session completed a good workout session. I was reading Dr Sleep and being captivated by it as the story unfolds, in a typical Stephen King way. You know - or he makes you believe you know - where it leads to, but he always manages to surprise you along the way .

Ride Stats : 42K in 01h01mins

1590/0

26-03-2014, 18:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf