Another sunny day and I rode out for a ride with the Vortex. Setting out over Bierbeek and Opvelp and then taking a right towards Beauvechain. On the climb to Beauvechain I began to experience irregular heartbeats. Going up to 182 and then dropping to 120 again. I rode on but tried to keep the pace down. When I arrived at home my resting heartrate remained high, around 130 where I normally have around 50. I made an appointment to see the doctor to find out what is wrong.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 32K and 200 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h11mins

3811/12870

24-07-2014, 10:46 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The sun was out this morning but it was still relatively cool when I rode out with the Moots YBB for a course following a 30K parcours I did last week. There was a breeze blowing from the north as I set out along Hoog Blanden and Haasrode, following the cobbles towards beauvechain and then veering to the right towards Tourinnes La Grosse. Riding along Guertechin after crossing the N91, and into Bossut after crossing the N25.
A nice 2-lane tarmac road took me from Bossut along Le Paradis into Nethen. Here I rode towards la Hetraie and then into Sint Joris Weert. Up the Polderstraat and then to the left , crossing the Weertse Dreef and making my way towards the Kouterbos before arriving on the Langendaal that took me back into Meerdael Forest for a little stretch to Blanden. The ride went well , although I could feel this was my fourth ride in a row. Need to get some rest now.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 29K and 225 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h18mins

3780/12670

23-07-2014, 12:09 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was still overcast but dry and it looked like the sun might be breaking through later in the day. I rode out with the Vortex for a ride along the "Rondom Blanden" parcours. This took me over Bierbeek and Neervelp towards Opvelp, La Bruyere and then through the fields to the Hameau farm. Further on to Longueville and then down toward Grez-Doiceau. I noticed my tyres needed a little pressure but I decided to ride on and check the pressure at home. All went well but on deeper grooves and cobbles I could feel the tyres almost being compressed to the rims. From Grez I rode on towards Archennes and Pecrot, and the steep climb there took me towards Nethen. Here I decided to part from the "Rondom Blanden" trail and move towards Hamme Mille and then back into Blanden along the Naamsesteenweg. Had a good ride and this also was the first ride with my new Kask Vertigo helmet.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 55.5K and 405 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h02mins

3750/12445

22-07-2014, 12:09 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was dry and overcast , with a cool wind blowing from the north. Looked like an ideal forecast for a mixed ride. Taking the YBB out following a course on the Garmin 705 looked like a good idea.
I followed the track and the little partner on the track, which I was believing to be "Manneken 20" , 20 because of the average speed he was maintaining. As the kilometers moved on, little manneken was slipping away from me and I had to ride hard to catch him. The ride was undulating up and down with some good climbs in the Neerijse and Korbeek Dyle area. Looping back over Sint Joris Weert, Nethen and Hamme Mille. When I reached Hamme Mille I catched him at last. The last couple of K's were tough but I managed to keep him just behind me. I was surprised when I saw the manneken had been following an average speed of 23.1 kph. That's why this ride felt so tough. Good workout though !

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 34K and 260 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h26mins

3695/12040

21-07-2014, 12:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw a strange weather. It had rained considerably last night, along with lightning and thunder. This morning saw the return of the sun but it was quickly obscured by clouds. More thunderstorms were predicted and with 25 degrees C it was still very warm. Some more air though.
Yet, I decided against riding out, opting for a stint on the Tacx Satori instead. I finished reading F.Paul Wilsons' Aftershock and now set upon reading one of his novels - Midnight Mass - on my Kindle.
My legs were Ok but I sweat a lot in the damp cellar. Still I managed to put in an hours' worth of training. My legs felt loose and recovered after the ride, but I needed a drink of water, lots of it to replenish my fluid losses.

Ride Stats : 39.5K in 01h01mins

3661/11780

20-07-2014, 12:12 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Feeling tired from 3 consecutive days of biking, and seeing that temperatures outside were already reaching 30 degrees C by Noon, I decided to stay indoors and have a session on the Tacx Satori. Resistance set on number 2 - don't want to make it too easy - I did an hour of easy recovery-type training. Putting in a good pace and making the legs spin. Continuing my read of F.Paul Wilsons "Aftershock - 16 oddities" and listening to my favorites through Spotify on the Samsung S5.
I ended up with a large puddle of sweat under the handlebars and a good feeling in the legs.

Ride Stats : 35.5K in 01h00mins

3621/11780

18-07-2014, 12:32 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

It was very warm today and since I did not feel fully recovered in the morning that meant waiting until early evening before riding out. I decided on a ride with the Moots YBB and set forth towards Bierbeek, Beauvechain and L'Ecluse. Riding throug the fields with a lot of cobble sections and dry dusty trails.
I passed next to Wahenge farm where I stopped for a couple of pictures before venturing into the forest that lays behind it.

17-07-2014, 22:11 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Since the weather is getting better, it looks like I will be spending more time on the road bike. Took the Vortex out for the first time since my prostate troubles. With a new saddle fitted - an Arione VSX - I was curious to how my bum would react to it. I had been riding a test Arione saddle so I knew what to expect. The VSX seems to be fulfilling its promise. It has a pressure relief channel, whilst still maintaining good stiffness and comfort.
I rode a small loop, over Bierbeek and Beauvechain towards Meldert and then back over Opvelp and the Expressweg into Blanden. I was careful since I experienced a flicker of lower back pain late in yesterdays' ride but I did not experience any of that on todays' ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 35K and 210 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h15mins

3544/11480

16-07-2014, 13:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today there was a rest day in the Tour de France so I started my ride in the early afternoon. It was still overcast and around 20 degrees C, so still OK to ride in the forest. I started along the Langedaal towards Sint Joris Weert and set forth along the Margijsbos , dropping into Neerijse. A steep climb up the Vranksberg and I was near the Ganzedelle . Straight on into Duisburg and the twin water towers. The Sonian forest was looming up before me and before long I was riding the Dronkemansdreef through the Kapucinenbos. Into Jezus Eik where I immediately took a right turn back towards Tervuren. Following one of the Bloso routes I rode into Duisburg. Down the Kouterweg and then a beautiful offroad climb along the edge of a forest towards the Dorreweg. Onwards towards the north to reach the Langestraat. Following this towards Neerijse and then into the Doode Beemde for a stretch that took me towards Korbeek-Dyle. The trails were already pretty dry and hard and when I reached Heverlee  I began to feel them in my lower back.

Through Heverleebos towards Vaalbeek and then on into Meerdael forest for a short stretch leading me home.

ENDO

Ride Stats : 46K and 435 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h12mins

3509/11270

15-07-2014, 16:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw a succession of sunny and cloudy intermezzo's but except for a couple of short periods of rain it remained dry. Around 6.30pm I rode out with the Moots YBB. The plan was to stay away from the forest and make a big loop around Meerdael Forest. I felt good and the position on the bike also felt good. I let a bit of air out of the tyres for a more comfortable ride. Lots of cobbles whilst I made my way past Bierbeek and towards Beauvechain. The trails were dry in the beginning but became wetter when I neared Hamme Mille. Riding towards Bossut I noticed some big black clouds gathering over Meerdael Forest. I upped the tempo, fearing that I might get wet.

When I came to La Hetraie I looped in the camping area but couldn't find the road leading into Sint Joris Weert. Some big puddles here and I had to enter the forest broefly before following the Kleinstraat towards Weert. Up to the forest again and then alongside it to reach the Kouterbos. The clouds were nearly over my head now when I zoomed towards the Langedaal into Blanden. But it stayed dry.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 30K and 240 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h28mins

3463/10835

13-07-2014, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

It was still excellent weather for me to ride in the forest. No sun, light drizzle and overcast. I dressed up and took the Moots YBB out for a ride along the Wolf trail. An intense section of climbs and descents near the Herculessalon. The trails were wet and on the very steep ascents it was difficult to maintain traction. On  one of the trails I had to walk because the soil was still too soggy. But the steep climbs went well and with caution the downhills were very ride-able as well. Finished with the intense workout I rode some sort of cooling down section next, riding towards the Kouterbos where I stopped for a drink at the Minnebron before entering Heverlee forest for a last section of easy trails.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 25K and 390 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h31mins

3433/10595

12-07-2014, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw the return of dryer weather. Although it was still very moist and there was a fine drizzle falling down when I left with the Works 4.0 for a mixed ride. Actually, these are ideal circumstances for me. I can dress up with long-sleeved trousers and a raincoat and that way I am protected from any horsefly that might see me as a prey. The temperature was around 20 degrees, which was fine for me as well. I left through Meerdael Forest and rode to Sint Agatha Rode where I sampled the fake 27% of the Nieuweland. It is steep, but not much more than 17-18%. Moving on towards Neerijse over backroads over mixed trails and roads. Some more steep climbs allowed me to test my legs . I returned over Heverlee and Arenberg castle into Heverlee Forest and further on towards Blanden

11-07-2014, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Three days in a row of rain, and quite heavy at times, saw me on the Hilset on the Tacx Satori today. I wanted to move my legs and the Tacx is the ideal tool for that. Whilst reading another F.Paul Wilson short story, still from the "Aftershock & others" series.
The ride went very well , with the Tacx on resistance 2 it was not easy.

Ride Stats : 38.5K in 01h00mins

3374/9875

10-07-2014, 13:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another sunny day and since I wasn't feeling too bad after yesterdays' ride, and I was keen on reconnoitering the Meldert Forest, I got on the Merlin for a ride that would bring me through Meerdael Forest and the fields of Beauvechain towards Meldert. Circumvening the forest and then entering it through the iron gates I stumbled on a walking path, narrow and moist. Following this upwards towards the Sint Jan college I found a couple of very big sequoia trees. Time for a couple of pictures before riding onwards towards the main building. Following the path to the left through the gardens proved to be more tricky than I thought. The grass was high and the path wasn't very obvious. Some wooden boardwalks that were supper slippery made me dismount - remembering my fall on one of those in the Doode Beemde in october 2012, I didn't want to take any risk.

Looking around I followed the trail all the way back to where I entered the park. The trail was overgrown and riddled with fallen wood and other traps. Along with the wet underground this caused me to be very cautious. Making it back up to the main building I exited the park and set forth for l'Ecluse. I managed to run out of trail in the fields and had to descent through a mown field in order to stumble on another trail that would lead me into Aalst, just south of Hoegaarden. A nice climb out of Hoegaarden and I set forth to the north and Meldert again. Following the tarmac for a while until I reached Opvelp where I chose field trails again to lead me towards Meerdael Forest and on to Blanden. Had a good ride , building up the distance slowly.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 40.5K and 365 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h06min

3335/9875

07-07-2014, 12:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Everything was feeling OK this morning so when the sun remained out I decided to ride again. There was a strong southern wind blowing. I started out in Meerdael Forest, fully covered with long-sleeved Assos trousers and a Gore-tex raincoat. When I got to the south of the forest and into the fields, the warm wind made me decide to take off the raincoat and ride on with bare arms. Less chance for horseflies - they don't like the strong winds - but I still felt uncomfortable in the hollow roads . I rode towards Meldert because I was curious for the Sint Jans College gardens, which were open to the public. When I arrived I was impressed by the chateau-like main building but not matter how I searched, I could not find any path leading into the gardens or adjoining forest. Oh well, I will come back for those later.

Back on the trails soon after leaving Meldert for the north. Lots of cobbles in the field roads and even though I was on a fullsuspension bike I got a good beating. On the long cobble road into Bierbeek I could make good speed with the strong southern wind in my back and flew over the cobbles. Back into Meerdael Forest for a last stretch along the Weertse Dreef out of Mollendeel and then taking the Margrietendreef into Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 37.5K and 270 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h48mins

3295/9510

06-07-2014, 13:09 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a month of taking heavy antibiotics - 15 days Tavanic and 10 days of Bactrim Forte - I was feeling mushy and tired. So after the last pill went into my mouth, I waited for 5 days before trying to ride a bike.
Today was that day. I took the Merlin out into Meerdael Forest for a short ride. It was raining lightly but it was warm and I was dressed for it. Ideally suited weather for me to venture into the summer forest.
My butt on the saddle felt awkward, and my legs were not used to being used so I started out at an easy pace, exploring what tempo my body would be comfortable with. The full suspension bike was an ideal choice for this ride. After an hour I was feeling tired and could not control my core muscles any longer so I decided to turn towards home. In all, it was a great ride and I enjoyed being out there in the forest again.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 23.5K and 215 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h06mins

3257/9240

05-07-2014, 12:12 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After two days of rain this late afternoon saw the sun coming back. There was still a stiff breeze blowing from the west and this would play a big part in my ride today. Riding out on the Vortex the wind carried me swiftly along the Expressweg towards the Haasrode Industrie compound. There I started on a big 8K lap. The wind was giving me some trouble but most of the lap was OK. It was very busy on the roads and I was not planning on getting much more than a couple of big laps , ending with a smaller lap and making my way back towards Blanden through Haasrode, to escape the headwinds. The legs felt not too bad and I had a good hours' easy ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 28.5K and 175 heightmeters (Garmin) in 00h59mins

3234/9025

05-06-2014, 18:38 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today I felt ready for a new ride. After the 250K ride last friday my body was recovering well and I was going for an easy recovery ride. Riding out on the Vortex again I set sail towards Bierbeek, Opvelp, Neervelp and the Boutersem, whence I joined the big road towards Tienen. The wind was more or less in my favor so far so I quickly regained the Ring around Tienen. Turning right towards Hoegaarden and then upwards towards the Goudberg and further on to the Marollenkapel. A quick dip into Meldert and then I rode towards La Bruyere and Beauvechain. The wind was blowing in my face now and I was glad to turn left towards Bierbeek. Onwards to Haasrode Industrie for a quick local lap and then home over the Expressweg.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 55.5K and 340 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h56mins

3205/8850

01-06-2014, 13:34 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw the second day of the yearly 'Kom Op tegen Kanker' challenge, where the aim is that teams bring in 5000EUR for the battle against cancer. This buys a 4 day stint of 250km a day, to be ridden by maximum 8 persons.
Today was my day. I was to ride the second leg in this years' challenge, a 250K trip between Mechelen and Geel, and back to Mechelen again. I was a bit weary because the last couple of months were full of lower back problems and I was not sure how my lower back would cope with a 250K ride. The weather forecast was calling for dry weather, some clouds in the morning and the sun coming through after noon. I decided on wearing a couple of extra layers in the form of my Assos windbreaker and a light Moots shell. Leaving at 7.40AM it was still rather fresh but by the time we reached the first rest stop, some 2 hours into the ride, the first layer was finding its way into my back pack. At noon, when we arrived in Geel for our lunch stop, the Assos would also be packed and tucked into my shirt. I decided to keep the armlings because I didn't have any suntan with me and the sun was burning . Did not want to risk a sunburn.
The arrival in Geel was a memorable one. Long queues of people along the roads, all making a lot of noise with bells and screaming their lungs out in support. Wall of sound. Impressive !
During lunch I was able to hook up with other riders of the various KBC-b.strong teams. Some were riding the 1000K solo, which is quite an amazing feat. Me , I was part of a 4-person team, each taking 1 days and 250K in his or her stride.
My lower back in the meantime was coping very well. I had taken some paracetomol to make sure any pain would be dulled but I could not feeling anything untoward. I had to get used to riding in a big peloton again, where you need to stay in the front half, lest you want to sprint after each and every corner to join the pack again. The pace is more even, the closer you are to the front of the bunch. Lessons quickly learned. The bunch was moving at an average pace of 28kph. Police and motorcyclist were closing of every crossroads so the bunch could move without having to stop or even slow down. Like a real peloton in a race. It was a great experience to ride like this. talking to other cyclists along the way, each with his own reason to join a ride in the battle against cancer.

The lunch was a moment to join the other b.strong teams and share our experiences. Some of them would ride the complete 1000K over the 4 days, me I was more than happy to do only one leg of 250K. In the afternoon, we got back on our bikes for the ride back to Mechelen. The shoulder and neck muscles began to tyre and my legs weren't as fresh as half a day ago, but in all I was feeling OK. The lower back did not give any signals of distress. The sun was out now but there was also a bit of wind blowing from the north. We were looping towards the north and it was good to be in the peloton. The rest stop after 2 hours into the ride was a welcome relief. We were now moving towards the southwest and the wind was no longer a factor. The bunch was getting more restless but nothing the road captains couldn't handle. No flat tyres this year so I was happy about that. The arrival in Mechelen was a big party. Lots of people cheering us on and the market place was filled to the brim with enthousiastic people. Supporters and family.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 251.5K and 400 heightmeters (Garmin) in 09h03mins

3150/8510

30-05-2014, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today was election day and after doing our duty I was restless to ride out. The sun was shining and the forecast for the next couple of days wasn't very good. So after pushing the thought around for a bit I rode the Vortex out. First toward Bierbeek and Neervelp and onwards to Willebringen, Hauthem and Hoegaarden. Here I injected myself on the Ravel 2. I felt quite good despite yesterdays' ride so I could maintain a good average as I followed the Ravel slowly upwards through Jodoigne and then onwards in the direction of Eghezee. I cut to ride in Hottomont and stopped for a couple of pictures before riding onwards to the N91.

On the N91 I could make good speed, with the wind - the little there was today - half in my back. In Hamme Mille I was bothered by a Vito driver who began pushing me to the side of the road with his car, yelling and calling me names . Shouting that I should ride on the bike path instead of on the road. I joined the bikepath as soon as I could but he kept harassing me verbally until halfway up the hill . I wished him dead, kept my mouth shut and continued my way.
Just a short stretch to go now. On top of the hill I rode back on the road - the bikepath is a mess up there - but I did not see my friend anymore.
Undisturbed by other car drivers who probably understood why I was riding on the road instead of on the dump they call a bikepath here, I joined the super bikepath on the Naamsesteenweg leading all the way into Blanden. Had a good ride except for the moment with the idiot, which upped my testosteron quite a bit. But I decided to let it go, he does not deserve my attention or thoughts. This was my longest ride this year so far.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 71.5K and 460 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h26mins

2898/8110

25-05-2014, 14:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf