Time for a ride on the Merlin today. The weather was fine, sunny, dry and with a fresh wind blowing from the north. I started out for a ride that took me to the south of Meerdael along some technical descents and spicy uphill work. Into Beaumont and then back into Meerdael Forest for a succession of climbs and descents. I really enjoyed this ride with the Merlin providing me with fun and the technical ability only a full suspsension bike ahs on the gnarlier trails.  

Ride Stats : 26K and 380 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h15mins

1851/12250

08-06-2015, 21:03 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another sunny day so I set out for the Haasrode Industrie park again for a session of laps. First did 2 big laps, riding out of the industrie park to the Lindenboom and then back along the Geldenaaksebaan towards the entrance. After those I did a couple of smallers laps on the terrain itself. Legs felt good and I noticed some sunburn on my arms when I arrived home.  

Ride Stats : 32K and 220 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h06mins

1825/11870

07-06-2015, 12:28 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After doing a 17K forest walk this morning I still felt like I had some energy left for a ride. So I took the Litespeed Vortex out for a spin. Wearing the Kask helmet for the first time since last years ride where I experienced heart irregularities gave me a weird feeling. Part scared, part convinced that the helmet had nothing to do with it. I rode towards the Haasrode Industrie park where I did some laps around the grounds. The wind was playing with me and I had to settle for counter-clockwise laps. This left me with wind in the back during the climb and wind in the face on the flat part working my way around the lap. After some 35 minutes I decided to call it a day and rode back towards Blanden along the Expressweg. No irregularities of any kind. 

Ride Stats : 29K and 195 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h00mins

1794/11650

06-06-2015, 16:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was fine today so I decided to ride out for an hours' ride into the forest. Starting out over Blanden and Bierbeek and the making my way into Heverlee forest I rode from west to east. Staying close to the perimeter but just following my front wheel without a real plan I enjoyed to brisk ride with the Merlin Works 4.0. The legs felt fine and the trails were perfect.

03-06-2015, 20:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was fine this evening and I decided to take the Merlin out for another ride into Meerdael Forest. Following my Ignatius route all the way up north into Heverlee Forest and the Arboretum and then returning into Meerdael Forest. Completing a smaller lap afterwards and then heading back into Vaalbeek and towards Blanden where I finished my ride with a quick and short passage into the forest again before riding into Blanden and home. Legs felt great and the average speed turned out to be quite high, possibly due to the bike, my legs and the excellent trail conditions.

Ride Stats : 24K and 180 heightmeters (Garmin) in 00h58mins

1698/10655

27-05-2015, 20:36 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The day started overcast and my planned Vortex ride was put into hold because a light drizzle made the streets wet . I opted for a Meerdael Forest walk instead , taking me some 17K into Mollendaal forest.
In the afternoon things were brightening up however and I decided to take the Merlin Works 4.0 out of its winter recess. This bike always beckons me to ride fast and today was no exception. I ventured on the Green Meerdael Bloso route and established a KOM on Strava over this track. Afterwards I cooled down with a loop over the highest mountain in Blanden, back into Meerdael Forest and into Blanden over the Margrietendreef. My heartrate was in the safe zone with an 111bpm average. Not bad for an offroad ride with nearly 23.5kph on average. Merlin magic at work.

Ride Stats : 33K an 325 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h24mins

1674/10475

25-05-2015, 17:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This morning saw me riding out to the Novotel in Leuven where I wanted to wave out a group of cyclists that are undertaking a 7 day journey , cycling from Leuven to Copenhagen. I was supposed to join them but had some difficulty with matching my agenda to the proposed dates of this trip. But I did the next best thing, supporting them and joining them for an hour on their way from Leuven to Venlo. I didn't cycle quite that far but left them with goodbyes and best wishes in Houwaart where I turned towards Binkom. Looping back to Blanden over Lubbeek, Lovenjoel and Bierbeek I had quite a nice ride, just over 2 hours in calm and balmy weather. Legs felt fine and I really enjoyed my time on the Vortex.

Ride Stats : 51K and 455 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h58mins

1641/10150

23-05-2015, 11:22 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Dry and sunny weather today so when I arrived home from work I felt the urge to do a ride in the forest. Got on the Obed and went for a spin around Kouterbos before venturing into Meerdael Forest for a big loop towards Hamme Mille and Mollendaal before returning along the Schoonzichtdreef onto the Margrietendreef and Blanden. Legs felt super and my average speed was high, also due to the perfect trail conditions.

Ride Stats : 30K and 265 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h16mins

1591/9695

21-05-2015, 20:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Felt like doing a ride this morning so out came the Litespeed Obed again for a spin in Meerdael Forest. I followed my perimeter track which took me along interesting trails. Some steep climbs along the Nethen area and some twisting singletracks as well. In Heverlee forest the trails changed to fast lanes with the occasional twist and turn keepng things interesting. I had to change the track in the area of the Kerspelstraat because most of the trails there are now only allowed for walkers with dogs. So I rode straight on past the Cemetery and then in the opposite direction of the green BLOSO towards the Damendreef. The legs felt good and the skies were menacing from time to time with alternating sunny spells. Except for a couple of drops it stayed dry throughout the entire ride.

Ride Stats : 39.5K and 555 heightmeters (garmin) in 02h06mins

1561/9430

20-05-2015, 11:48 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

There was a lot of wind this morning, and the skies were menacing with a promise of rain. I rode out on the Litespeed Obed for a recovery spin along the Meerdael trails. I ventured into Heverlee forest first, passing in the Arboretum and then riding back to the Zoete Waters along the Parnassus dreef. Finishing with a couple of laps around the old military domain and then crossing the Naamsesteenweg for a last stretch into Blanden. The legs felt fine and recovered from sundays' ride.

Ride Stats : 26K and 250 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h10mins

1521/8875

19-05-2015, 10:19 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today was the day. I got up around 5.30am and just before 7am I was in Mechelen, signing the inscription table and sticking my number on my bike. I was to do 125K - half of the distance because a team mate was doing the second leg in the afternoon - of the 250K starting in Mechelen and going to Vorselaar. I felt OK and the weather promised to be sunny and dry. We passed near my home around  9am and I saw my dad in the crowd, waving the group of 121 cyclists onwards. I was part of the 27kph average group, there were also 24kph and 30kph groups. The ride went without any hiccups, no flats and with an average heartrate of 91bpm I cannot say I had to strain myself. Very pleased with myself for today.

Ride Stats : 129K and 725 heightmeters (Garmin) in 04h43mins

1495/8625

17-05-2015, 15:36 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The forecast rain was nowhere to be seen this morning. Instead the sun was shining and there was a stiff breeze blowing from the east. I decided to do a last tryout ride on the Vortex before tackling the Kom Op Tegen Kanker challenge next sunday. Starting out along the N25 and then looping towards La Bruyere to regain the road to Jodoigne. The wind was my foe during this part of the ride and with my body still struggling to find a good pace the wind wasn't helping. Brocante in Jodoigne and I had to find my way through the small inner town roads towards the road to Tienen. Luckily I could follow a big party of cyclists who seemed to know their way and indeed, before long I was heading towards Hoegaarden along the Ravel 2. I Hoegaarden I made further to the east towards the Ring around Tienen. Turning to the left at last the wind wasn't blowing against me anymore. When I joined the road towards Leuven the wind became my ally. My legs and back were properly warmed up by now and I enjoyed a good pace, pushed along by the cool breeze. The ring around Leuven brought me towards the Naamse poort where I took the Naamsesteenweg towards Heverlee and Blanden.

Ride Stats : 59K and 420 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h46mins

1367/7900

14-05-2015, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

There was a lot of wind blowing this evening so my original plan to have a short ride on the Vortex was put away. Instead I took out  the Obed for a fun ride along the BBW trail leading into and out of Heverlee Forest.Upon completion on this loop I rode back towards Heverlee Forest for a couple of parallel north-south trails.Slowly making my way from west to east, staying on the west side of the N25. My legs felt good and I could maintain a high average without having the feeling that I needed to push my body. An average heartrate of 104bpm can testify to that. After an hour and 20 minutes I decided to head back along the Prosperdreef into Blanden.

Ride Stats : 33.5K and 310 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h27mins

1308/7480

12-05-2015, 20:09 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather looked good this morning with the sun shining and temperatures around 14 degrees C. I rode out with the Obed on a mission. I was going to ride all BBW trails in succession, starting with the longest and working my way down to the shortest. 2 hours and nearly 50K later that mission was accomplished. My legs felt good and I could maintain a very good speed throughout the ride. The trails were perfect, dry and fast. An average heartrate of 105bpm coupled to an average speed of 23kph told me the form is slowly getting there.
After the BBW trails I rode to the Blanden cemetery to pay my respect to my mother. It is Mothers' Day today and I would not want to miss out on the occassion to have a few words with her.

Ride Stats : 61K and 550 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h39mins

1274/7170

10-05-2015, 13:02 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw a dry day and when I got home from work I was eager to get on the Obed and ride out into the forest. The trails were perfect, a little moist here and there and with the occasional puddle to keep it interesting. I decided to follow a Meerdael perimeter track I rode a while back, but only picking up on it halfway through the ride, following the N25 towards the south towards the track. The first part of the trail was pretty hilly with some nice singletrail. Once the trail got to the Kouterbos, and then into Heverleebos , the undulations became less pronounced and the big plate was coming into play more and more. I felt energised and strong, notwithstanding the fact that all I ate today were 2 sandwiches and 2 oranges.

Ride Stats : 28K and 355 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h25mins

1213/6620

07-05-2015, 20:54 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw stormy weather with heavy rain showers. When I arrived home I rode out with the Litespeed Obed and found the forest trails to be ridden with branches and leaves and generally wet and splashy. So I decided to make it a mixed ride - some offroad, some tarmac sections - whilst making my way around the Meerdael forest perimeter. The ride went well but I decided to clean the bike afterwards - fast but efficiently - to get rid of the excess mud .

Ride Stats : 28K and 275 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h17mins

1185/6265

05-05-2015, 20:33 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday evening it was raining so I had to re-shedule my ride to today. This morning saw dry but overcast conditions, getting more sunnier as the day progressed. I took the Obed out for a ride into Heverlee forest. A ladder ride, trying to ride all trails between to parallel bigger avenues. Like rungs on a ladder, hence the name. The section I chose was heavily riddled with lots of small tracks. I tried to ride them all but I had to skip a few because they were overrun by undergrowth or looked to badly maintained to ride. Still I had good fun on the moist trails, sometimes overrun by roots and with the occasional puddle, easily circumvened. Near the end I looped back from Oud-Heverlee to Blanden . The legs felt OK but I still fell some stiffness and/or muscle aches from last evenings' Pilates session.

Ride Stats : 43K and 365 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h05mins

1114/5625

01-05-2015, 13:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I wanted to do a ride today but with the cold wind and relatively cold temperatures I did not want to ride outside of the forest. So I settled for a playful ride in Mollendaal bos. Concentrating on riding each and every trail in the section. This was fun because it involved riding some trails twice in different direction to make a consistent loop. I avoided the steepest climbs - riding them downwards instead - because my legs didn't feel too great. I guess I am still recovering from last weekends' 25K/65K walk/bike twosome. 
Near the end I did a cooldown along the edge of the forest and into Hoogblanden. My heartrate was a very low 100bpm on average, which was consistent with my 38bpm resting heartrate this morning.

Ride Stats : 29.5 K and 400 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h31mins

1071/5260

28-04-2015, 20:07 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a 24K walk yesterday I did not have high hopes for my legs today. It was lightly drizzling when I set out for a ride in the forest on my Litespeed Obed. I started out along my Heverleebos loop, going past Ignatius in the Arboretum and then returning along the Grezstraat to the Weertsedreef. Straight onwards along the Nethensebaan which brought me towards - you guessed it - Nethen and the domaine de Savenel. Out of Nethen over the very steep Tienne Vincent and back into Meerdael Forest. I set towards Hamme Mille now and along Le Culot to the little Chapelle du Rond-Chene. Through the cobbled hollow roads I made my way to the Chemin de Mollendael, anothe cobbled road which led me into Mollendaal. Crossing over to the Geldenaakse Baan (Old and New) and then up the Bergenstraat to the Boetsenberg. Into Meerdael Forest again for a spin along the Milsestraat and the SInt Joris Weert straat which led me to the Weerste Dreef where I finished my second leaf of the Trefoil. Onwards to Sint Joris Weert and down along Pier Slot . I had to do a little detour over the Kauwereelstraat because there was a fair in Sint Joris Weert. Into the Kouterbos along the Justin Scheepmansstraat and then onwards to the Langendaalstraat where I finished the third leaf of my Trefoil. For a last loop I chose to ride into Vaalbeek and then to the Parnassusdreef and the new bikepath parallel of the E40 which I followed to the Naamsesteenweg . Crossing that and another loop later I was riding into Blanden where I took a last loop over the Bierbeekstraat and the Rooikapelstraat to the Meerdael Forest again.
My goal was to ride 3 hours today and I did exactly that. My legs amazed me, being considerably strong throughout the entire ride. Near the end I began to feel my back stiffen up but I was home just in time. Even though it had rained lightly from time to time the weather was clement and the trails were great. No more dust and yet not wet enough to become slippery or muddy. In the afternoon whilst I am typing this, the rain became heavier and I was glad I was inside. My heartrate was a comforting 105bpm on average with a peak of 127, considering the amount of heightmeters and the steepness of some of the climbs, that is a good result.

Ride Stats : 64K and 655 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h00mins

1042/4860

26-04-2015, 13:33 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf