Lots of rain the last days so when today it remained warm and dry I set out for an evening ride on the Litespeed Obed. Just a little mixed ride making my way towards Florival. From there I made my way back with a loop into Heverlee Forest. I felt strong and with the clement weather - dry , not too warm, a mild breeze - I really enjoyed being out there.

Ride Stats : 32K and 335 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h26mins

2770/15890

08-06-2016, 21:11 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After a week of rain and thunderstorms, it felt like high time to ride out again. This sunday morning saw a foggy start with temperatures around 16 degrees C and dry and calm weather. It had rained a lot last night but still the trails were fit for a mixed ride. Starting out through Meerdael forest into Sint Joris Weert I rode on to Huldenberg and Duisburg, disappearing into the Sonian Forest. The tracks here were wet but not overly so. I rode until I reached the far western edge of the forest and then returned through it towards Groenendaal and Hoeilaart. From Hoeilaart on I was back on tarmac roads. The sun wanted to peep through and I started to feel the warmth . Making my way back over Maleizen, Tombeek and Terlanen I entered Meerdael Forest again for a last stretch of tracks towards Blanden.

Ride Stats : 65.5K and 565 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h01mins

2738/15555

05-06-2016, 13:18 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was calm and there was a fog hanging over the fields when I left with the Litespeed Vortex. Aiming for a long ride I started out towards Hoegaarden where I injected myself on the Ravel 2 and rode past Jodoigne until I reached Eghezee. The sun was starting to peep through the low clouds and I rode towards Longchamps. On my way to Perwez now and when I reached Perwez I turned to the north towards Thorembais, Maleves and Incourt. The wind was also manifesting itself, helping the clouds to disperse even more. From Incourt I rode towards Longueville and Grez-Doiceau. I wanted to do a little more so I rode through Archennes towards Eerken and Sint-Agatha-Rode. From here I closed my loop riding through Sint-Joris-Weert, along the Zoete Waters and through Vaalbeek to reach Blanden. My legs felt fine and I could maintain a good pace throughout the ride.

Ride Stats : 92K and 640 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h27mins

2673/14990

28-05-2016, 14:02 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Weather was fine today with 20 degrees C at the end of the afternoon. I took the Litespeed Obed out for a little ride. Into Meerdael Forest towards Hamme Mille where I meandered along smaller roads into the fields towards Nodebais and Grez Doiceau. From Grez I rode upwards into Bossut and then further on into Nethen. Another loop took me through the Doode Bemde and Sint Joris Weert into Meerdael Forest again. Crossing into Heverleebos and then looping back to Blanden for a last stretch of forest. I felt fine and the legs were great. Recovered from my trip to Prague and left with a strong feeling in the legs.

Ride Stats : 46K and 450 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h07mins

2581/14350

26-05-2016, 20:59 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This years' trip for Kom Op tegen Kanker consisted of a 7-day ride from Mechelen to Prague. I decided to take part but also to skip 2 days because of the high amount of heighmeters during those days. We started out in cold weather but somehow we managed to avoid rain during the whole trip. Also te wind was in our favour for 6 days, only blowing against us during the last ride from Dresden to Prague. I had no mechanicals, no flats and no setbacks.
Mechelen to Valkenburg. A ride of 118.6K over mostly flat roads taking us over the river Meuse into the Netherlands. It was cold and the wind was blowing from our left side from the north-northwest. We had a break at Zelem more or less halfway into the ride.
Valkenburg to Breckerfeld. A more hilly ride of 160.5K through Saxony and High Saxony which took us straight between the major cities of Dusseldorf and Cologne. We crossed the river Rhine today, using a ferry. The weather had been cold and the wind was blowing hard form the North. No rain though.
On Monday the 16th and Tuesday the 17th I took two rest days.
Nordhausen to Leipzig. Today took us form Nordhausen - where we briefly visited former nazi camp Dora - to the major city of Leipzig. 140K were added to the total. The wind was turning more to the West and this provided us with slightly warmer weather. Ranging from 13 degrees in the morning to just over 19 degrees when we arrived in the late afternoon. The ride was relatively flat and took us through beautiful landscapes.
Leipzig to Dresden. Today we only had to do 116K. We wanted to arrive early to have a bit of time to visit the city of Dresden. The ride took us over gently flowing landscapes to the river Elbe, which we followed for 33K into Dresden.
Dresden to Prague. Already the last day and a hefty one due to the 158k and 1740 heightmeters that had to be concquered. First we followed the banks of the river Elbe for 23K . After that a long climb of 22K took us into the Czech republic and to the highest point of the trip, at 754 meters. We descended to find the river Elbe again (which is called Labe in the Czech republik) . We had to battle the strong southern wind before arriving at the river Moldau and follow that into a sunny Prague.

Ride Stats : 700K and 5645 heightmeters (Garmin) in 30h00mins

2535/13900

14-05-2016, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I left my car on the KBC Mechelen parking lot yesterday and today I rode my Vortex through Leuven and alongside the Vaart to go and recuperate it. Today also was a good recuperation effort. I had the wind in my favour and could make good speed alongside the Leuvense Vaart. Upon reaching Hofstade I took a left and then again a right turn to reach Hofstade center. From here I could easily make it to the KBC parking lot where my car was patiently awaiting my return.

Ride Stats : 38K and 85 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h17mins

1836/8255

07-05-2016, 12:44 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Early out of bed this morning - 5.10AM - to make it on time for the check-in on the Grote Markt in Mechelen for the second day of the 'Kom Op Tegen Kanker' Event. I was in the 24K average group - the slowest - so we had to start at 7AM. The weather forecast was superb. Dry and sunny with temperatures going up to 24 degrees C in the afternoon. So I was dressed light with the first time in short cycling shorts since quite some time and my Assos windbreaker for the early morning freshness.

 
The ride went smooth, with the big peleton of 150-200 riders which was accompanied by motorcycle and police to block every passage so that the rider had absolute priority. In a little more than 2 hours we reached the halfway point in Zelem where we enjoyed a brief rest, some food and liquid support. In the meantime I had met some cyclists from Leuven and Hamme Mille and chatted with them. A great way to meet new people.

The second leg also went great, with a fall in the front of the peleton which had us wait a couple of minutes to check if everyone was Ok and fit to continue. They were, so we rode on and reached Tienen a little after 12AM. From Tienen I rode back home along the Tiensesteenweg and the Expressweg and arrived tired but very satisfied with my ride after 5h49 mins and 150km. My average heartrate during the entire ride was a mere 83bpm so in all the effort was an easy one.

Ride Stats : 150K and 800 heightmeters (Garmin) in 05h49mins

1798/8170

06-05-2016, 14:26 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I had some maintenance done on the Litespeed Vortex this week ; new brake and gear cables, new brake pads, new Brooks leather bartape. So today I had to check out the bike before going on the bigger rides. The weather was sunny but with a cold bit due to the wind blowing fiercely from the south-east. The bike performed well and I enjoyed the short ride.

Ride Stats : 31K and 225 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h04mins

1648/7370

05-05-2016, 11:38 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

02-05-2016, 20:21 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

01-05-2016, 12:19 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

We are nearing the end of April but the weather was very cold and a hail flurry was coming down when I rode out with the Litespeed Obed. I decided for a forest ride instead of a road ride because of the uncertain weather conditions. I rode around Meerdael forest when things were drying up but with a temperature of just 3 degrees it was not the best of weathers. Still, I was dressed for the occasion and when the sun came peeping though the clouds and things brightened up for the remainder of my ride I set forth over Mille and Nethen towards Bossut and then into Nethen again to rejoin the Meerdael Forest. Making my way into the Kouterbos and Heverlee forest I made a long loop back towards Vaalbeek and the Meerdael Forest again. Home just in time when the next hail flurry started coming down. Legs felt fine and I was glad I did a full two hours.

Ride Stats : 40.5K and 505 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h04mins

1553/6590

24-04-2016, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today again the wind would be a deciding factor in the outcome of the ride. It was blowing hard and cold from the north and I already decided before leaving from work that I would stay locally and do some laps around the Blanden/Haasrode area. I managed to do 5 before the hill became too steep against the wind and I decided to call it a day. Legs felt relatively strong though.

Ride Stats : 33.5K and 340 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h13mins

1512/6085

22-04-2016, 20:14 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today the weather was very sunny but there also was a strong wind blowing from the northeast. I wanted to get in a 2 hour ride so I set out over Bierbeek and Willebringen towards Kumtich and Oorbeek. Into Hoegaarden and then following the Ravel I had to wind in my advantage for the first time. Arriving swiftly in Jodoigne and then turning towards the west. Here I could feel the wind from the right but it was not blowing against me, fortunately. I had a bit of a bad moment when turning into the wind again just before Nodebais, looping around the Beauvechain airport. But arriving in Hamme Mille and into Meerdael Forest broke the wind up and I entered Blanden with 51 kilometers and almost 2 hours under my belt.

Ride Stats : 51K and 465 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h53mins

1479/5745

20-04-2016, 19:44 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today I planned an hours ride with the Vortex, but forgetting my wallet at work made me have to ride back to get it. Coming home I could only manage 2 local laps before it became to dark to be safe. Glad I had my wallet back and that I still managed to get a ride in as well. Legs felt good.

Ride Stats : 16K and 155 heightmeters (Garmin) in 00h35mins

1428/5280

18-04-2016, 21:09 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A little rain during the day but not enough to keep me off the bike. In th elate afternoon I set out on the Litespeed Obed for a ride that would take me along the Meerdael Forest perimeter. I added some trails and loops here and there and I mostly rode on the big ring, except for when the grae became too step to ride it comfortably. My legs felt fine, the trails were moist here and there but no mud.

Ride Stats : 33K and 385 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h32mins

1412/5125

15-04-2016, 21:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Weather was fine this late afternoon so I decided to take the Litespeed Obed out for a quick spin along the Mollendaal trails. Bike was still dirty from last year but the chain was clean and all parts were functioning well. I took the trails in the opposite direction, twisting and turning from north to southe and back again along twisty trails. They were quite dry despite last nights rain and offered good grip and a comfortable ride.

Ride Stats : 21Kand 300 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h02mins

1379/4740

13-04-2016, 20:17 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today the weather was super and in the early evening I planned a little ride with the Litespeed Vortex. It had been a while since I last rode this bike and I needed to assess how it was standing in order to make sure it was ready for next months Cancer ride. I took it for a local spin around the church tower - literally - and was surprised at how well it performed. It rides very smoothly due to the light weight and superbe wheels. Last year it had developed a little creak in the crank but it wasn't there anymore. At least no during this ride. .

Ride Stats : 16K and 155 heightmeters (Garmin) in 00h35mins

1358/4440

11-04-2016, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Felt rested today and decided to ride out for a longer ride on the Moots YBB again. I set out along the red Bloso route - in the reverse direction - and enjoyed the crisp but warming mid-morning forest. I settled for a pace I could maintain for 2 hours and after a while I switched to the Blue Bloso and completed that to rejoin the Red again. The trails were fantastic - dry with just a hint of moisture here and there. Had a great and enjoyable ride.

Ride Stats : 38K and 515 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h43mins

1342/4285

10-04-2016, 12:34 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

08-04-2016, 20:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

05-04-2016, 19:48 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf