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Tales from the Woods |
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24-04-2010 |
Julie 4 |
A little more than a year ago O2 Bikers published a GPS roadbook starting in Grez Doiceau. I saw the potential of that 35K loop and quickly added a couple of other tracks to make it a bit spicier and incorporate a couple of tracks the guides that produced the O2 Bikers loop wouldn't or couldn't add to their loop. Since I was at that time offering to guide a ride to a couple of friends, one was called Julie, I named my track the O2 Grez Julie track. Since then many moons have passed, Julie has yet to ride this track but it has seen a couple of changes, making it a bit tougher every time. Today I rode to Grez to ride the Julie 3 and add another climb near Gottechain to add a couple of heightmeters and thus producing Julie 4.
Nature was in full bloom, the weather was warm with a 21 degree C average temperature and a wind blowing from the southeast. I still felt my legs from thursdays's ride so I took it easy. As far as "taking it easy" is possible on a trail that is around 58K long and counts nearly a 1000 heightmeters. You can check the trail on the Garmin Connect website and I also offer it as a download. If you ride it I would very much appreciate your comments.
When I left Heze I saw another trail that I could possibly add, so Julie 5 is already germinating in my mind. The last couple of kilometers were very tough, passing through Pietrebais a couple of times, with some very fine singletrails and hairy descents.
The trails were as dry as a bone. The only bit of mud I saw was in Bonlez, where a small singletrail takes you next to the river Train. There are some wells always leaving the trail wet. I stepped off my bike and walked. The river is very close by here and when you should slide away and fall into it - even with the warm temperatures of today - it would not be very healthy. Another wet spot was on a small singletrack near the river Pietrebais, where you have too cross a little rivulet a couple of times. When I arrived back in Grez Doiceau I felt tired but very satisfied with yet another great ride. I saw some markers for an organised ride. I'm guessing its the one starting at the College Technique St Jean in Wavre tomorrow. They took some of the trails I was riding so I would heartily recommend anyone to start there tomorrow. With the current weather and trail conditions it is great to be out there.
Ride Stats : 79K and 1065/1160 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 4h39mins
2919/29355
24-04-2010, 17:27 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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22-04-2010 |
No deviation |
Nice sunny and calm weather. A little bit of wind still blowing from the northeast. But nothing to stop me from riding out. I decided to do the Overijse BLOSO routes once more. It had been a while since I rode them completely and integrally. Usually I deviate to add a climb here and there but today I stuck to the route. The arrowing was excellent as far as I could see. As of usual I picked in on the Red route near Sint Agatha Rode. The trails were perfect. P e r f e c t. There was hardly a puddle in sight. Except for a few places were little rivulets cross the trails, like when just before you arrive in Overijse after the descent from the Bisdom. I believe it is called the Hassenbergstraat, or at least that is the name of the street where you end up in after 500m of forest trails. I paused at the park in the centre of Overijse to take a picture of several birds on the pond.
When leaving Overijse along the Reutenbeek there were heavy road workings going on, forcing me to walk a couple of meters. I could make good speed due to the dry conditions and a couple of legs that felt good. On the climbs I felt strong and I turned my ride into a bit of interval training. Taking it easy on the level roads and putting a bit of pressure on the legs on the climbs. Those who know these trails know that they incorporate quite a few climbs. Also the descents are a challenge from time to time. The entrance of the steep descent at the end of the Langeheidestraat on the Red trail was blocked by fallen trees. But after a bit of climbing I could get back on my bike and take the steppy descent . Following is a steep climb that comes out on the Loswegstraat. Then there is a bit of level trail along the Tommestraat before dropping down into the long descent into the Laurensart forest that ends on the Klabbeekstraat. The heightmeters were accumulating nicely and before long I had completed the 34K lap. I drove back to Sint Joris Weert and did a little extra loop towards The Kluis area.
From there it didn't take me long to arrive home. This was a very good ride. I had a good feeling in my legs. The bike performed flawlessly and in a couple of weeks it will need to go in for maintenance. The Race Face bottom bracket has seen its best day and the bearings need to be changed. Not easy since this kind of bottom bracket is old school. But I'm sure Filip of Filip Sport will find the necessary spares. The bike will take a well-deserved summer vacation and the Moots and Merlin will come out to play with instead.
Ride Stats : 55K and 685/750 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h54mins
2840/28195
22-04-2010, 20:25 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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20-04-2010 |
KBC Photoshoot |
Today there was a photoshoot planned with the KBC MTB club so we were hoping for a big turnout. And indeed there were about 20 bikers present at the start in Heverlee. All clad in KBC apparel spanning a couple of years. From dark to light blue on white with some black tossed in between . We had a appointment with the KBC photog at the Zoete Waters. It took a while to locate the man but then we were set for a couple of shootings. Some riding, some posing with the big group.
I had taken my precautions and had already 1 hours ride in Meerdael and Heverleebos before I arrived in Heverlee. So when we left around 7.30pm I reckoned we would have around 1 hour before the sun would be too low to see where we were going in the Meerdael Forest. We took off again and soon I was asked to guide the group around some of the better singletrails. No problem, and the coming 45 minutes I would guide them through some of the finer trails of the south of Meerdael forest. I left out the real crackers because I didn't want any accidents or people who were left behind. But I think most of them had a nice ride . The trails were great, dry and fast. You could literally ride any trail you wanted, without having to fear for mud. Some of the climbs were pretty steep and there were also some great downhills for the group to enjoy.
Before long we crossed the Naamsesteenweg because the group would ride to Haasrode for a drink. I decided to leave them and return home, just in time before darkness started to set in.
Ride Stats : 43K and 470/540 heightmeters (Polar/Garminà in 2h26mins
2785/27445
20-04-2010, 21:16 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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19-04-2010 |
Relax |
Easy and uneventful ride. Giving my legs the opportunity to recover. I prefer active recovery to sitting in a chair and hoping the pain will go away. Weather was still OK but minus 5 degrees as compared to yesterdays' 20 degrees C.
Ride Stats : 23K and 140/190 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h6mins
2743/26905
19-04-2010, 18:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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18-04-2010 |
Mollendaal relaxing |
I never thought I would say this but I believe we need some rain. This afternoon I watched Philippe Gilbert win the Amstel Gold race and then rode out for a relaxing ride. I started out in Mollendaalbos and then ventured into the fields towards Bierbeek and Valduc. It struck me that the tracks were very dry, to the point of being sandy. In some corners the wheels would just wash away in the dust. During the ride I tried to relax my muscles as much as possible. Yesterdays ride left me tired but still I managed a good pace throughout todays' ride as well. I took a climb up to the St Gerardus chapel in Bierbeek before riding on towards the fields of Valduc .
Back into Meerdael forest after that for a last couple of kilometers with some little loops taking in some smaller trails in between the bigger forest avenues.
Before I arrived home I looked back on along one of the trails and saw the plentitude of little white aster-like flowers and couldn't resist taking a picture.
Ride Stats : 22,5K and 235/250 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h20mins
2719/26715
18-04-2010, 20:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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17-04-2010 |
Hallerbos extravaganza |
Every now and then I do something crazy. One of those things is riding long distances offroad on a mountainbike. Today was the perfect day for an extravagant ride. The plan was simple. Connect the Meerdael Forest to the Sonian Forest, move on towards the Hallerbos and there I would do a 35K/670hm ride I have on GPS. I've done this ride last year on the first of June. Today it was a bit earlier in the year but the weather looked promising and I was eager to find out whether the blue hyacynths would be in bloom. There was someone who would accompany me from the Sonian Forest onwards but at the last moment she cancelled her attendance. So it was a solo ride. And a long one. I started out over a new track I discovered only last week. First riding to Sint Joris Weert through the Meerdael Forest, then climb up the ridge of the Smeysberg but stay close to Neerijse. From there I could ride towards the Ganspoel and past the Duisburg water towers. I then disappeared into the Sonian Forest to connect in a straight line to Jezus-Eik. From there it's still about a 10K ride to St Genesius Rode and the to Dworp and the 7 Fontaines. After 35K and 1h46 or thereabouts I was at the start of my loop.
The loop first goes around the lakes at the 7 Fontaines and then follows the GR track along the edge of a field. A steep climb up towards the edge of the forest and then back down again to ride up to the forest again. This time I would spend a long time into Hallerbos. I noticed immediately that the bluebells weren't out in full force. I am not sure whether they already bloomed or if I just was a week too early. At any rate there don't seem to be as many of them as in previous years. The white flowers where already in full bloom.
After a couple of trails in the forest I set towards crossing the highway and make my way towards Braine l'Alleud. There were a lot of small singletrails here, sometimes I had to look for them but whomever built the track was surely at home in this area. The track ondulates up and down, sometimes very steep but always fun and surprising. My legs began to feel the kilometers and I paused for a bit to eat. Before long I was at the Leembeek bos where the trailbuilder had incorporated a nice section into the lembeek area.
Crossing the E25 again and I was back in Hallerbos. There were a lot of people around, some walking, some on horseback and others on bikes. Obviously they all were looking for the bluebells. Again they were there, but not as plenty as one would expect. Crossing the last ridge and I am back at the 7 Fontaines. Phew, 73K on the counter, only 35 left to go. Another bit to eat whilst I make some pictures of ducks and tortoises (!) basking in the sun on a tree that has fallen into the water.
The ride back only varies a couple of times from the trails I took getting here. My neck starts to make me feel I'm not 25 anymore but I am more concerned with my GPS. I noticed the battery was nearly dead. Luckily I would make it home but it was a close call. I should have fully loaded it before I left, never trust it to be full. When I drop down the Smeysberg I have to wait for a local road race to pass. After the green flag car I can continue my way towards home. The ride was long and took a lot out of me. But the sun was out the whole day and even though I felt the northeasterly wind from time to time on my way back home, most of the ride I was in forests so it didn't bother me that much. As far as the bluebells are concerned. I could be wrong but I hope they still need a couple of warm days to reach full bloom. I spoke to a guide in the forest and he told me the next week would be prime time for the bluebells. Although he also had to concede the harsh winter took its toll. Like he said it : 'we can't command nature'. So true.
Ride Stats : 110K and 1350/1440 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 6h2mins
2697/26465
17-04-2010, 18:46 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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13-04-2010 |
Pain for sale |
Ok, the title is a bit misleading. I'm not talking about the English word , but the French word 'pain' which means bread. But I found it a good subject for a picture and a topic concerning biking. Pain for sale. The weather was sunny and quite warm but there was a nasty wind blowing from the northeast. This kept me from being overjoyous when I followed the LF6 - Vlaanderen Stedenroute - towards Hoegaarden and a bit further until I reached Outgaarden. Here I turned my Hilset around and could make use of the wind for a change. It was mostly blowing from behind me now, sometimes from the right, and this helped me spare my legs on the return ride. To make the most of the wind I didn't return all the way along the LF6 over Meldert and Bierbeek, but I stayed on the left and rode towards Beauvechain and Hamme Mille instead. From there on I had to turn more into the wind to loop back home but I had cunningly figured out that Meerdael Forest would protect me from the northeastern blast. And so it turned out to be the case. Which was fine because I didn't want to strain my legs too much today.
Ride Stats : 57.5K and 400/455 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h43mins
2553/24675
13-04-2010, 20:09 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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06-04-2010 |
Spring - again |
Today saw the return of the sun with a pleasant temperature but still a nasty wind from the east. I decided to do a ride since it had been a while. My Hilset was once again ready for duty, with new brake lines and a new shifter and cable for the front derailler. With an average temperature of nearly 20 degrees throughout the ride it was fun and good to be on a bike again after a couple of days of rest. In the next couple of days I have to get back into the rhythm so lets hope the weather stays more or less dry and with temperatures above 10 degrees C. Todays ride took me over Bierbeek, Neervelp, Opvelp, Beauvechain, Tourinnes and Hamme Mille , then onwards to Nethen, Sint Joris Weert, the Zoete Waters and Heverlee before returning to Blanden following the Naamse Steenweg. The offroad trails looked already a lot dryer than last week, so maybe in a couple of days it might be feasable to try them out.
Ride Stats : 41,5K and 285/305 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h47mins
2245/21965
06-04-2010, 18:15 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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28-03-2010 |
Recovery |
After a couple of days of rest, due to nasal restrictions, I wanted to ride out again, albeit for just an hour. I had put my summer wheels on my Hilset, with the Schwalbe Marathon Extreme tyres, and even though the forecast called for rain and wind, there was only a bit of wind to be dealt with. I took it very easy and rode a relaxed ride over Hamme Mille, Tourinnes, Beauvechain, Opvelp and Neervelp. When I turned towards Bremt I felt the wind in my face and things got a bit more difficult. But no drop fell so I came home dry and with another ride under my belt. Not long after I arrived home it started to rain, only a shower it seems but still it was better to be inside than out on the bike at that time.
Ride Stats : 30K and 225/245 heightmeters in 1h22mins
2102/20975
28-03-2010, 13:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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24-03-2010 |
Spring |
Today it was again very mild and with temperatures around 17 degrees C it really was too good to stay home. So I rode out for a little ride, even though I didn't feel very well. The rest of the week doesn't look too good weather-wise.
Ride Stats : 20K and 145/155 heightmeters in 53mins
2072/20730
24-03-2010, 19:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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23-03-2010 |
Melin |
A dry day so I decided to ride out in the afternoon after work . My legs didn't feel very strong and my throat had been giving me some concern the last couple of days but I would ride gently, not overdoing anything. I rode through Meerdael forest and then checked my GPS to bring me to Beauvechain. Through the fields and with only a slight wind this was very enjoyable. I checked my GPS map and took direction towards the church tower of L'Ecluse which I saw protruding over the next crest. The trails were mostly dry except for some patches in hollow roads. After a while I was in Sclimpre and from there it wasn't far anymore to Melin. Here I decided to turn around, take a picture of the church, try out some singletracks I had noticed before when passing on the tarmac, and then I made my way back towards La Bruyere and Nodebais. I had the wind behind me now so this was even more fun to do.
In La Bruyere I turned towards Tourinnes and from there made my way into Meerdael Forest for a last loop bringing me back home with another ride under my belt. My average heartrate was 112bpm so I did certainly not strain myself any more than I should. The temperature was 14 degrees C on average which felt good with only a mild wind from the east.
Ride Stats : 41K and 370/415 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h17mins
2052/20575
23-03-2010, 18:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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