Big Bad Log

Rain and wind in the AM so I was patient and waiting until the predicted sunny spells would appear. And indeed, around 1PM the skies cleared out and only the wind remained. Streets dried up quickly - I didn't rain that much - and I set out around 2PM for an easy recovery ride. I felt better than I expected but still I stuck to my plan, ride at a low pace and avoid hills as much as possible.

Ride Stats : 26K and 190/171 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h17mins

1521/12450

Dry but overcast this morning. I set out with the Litespeed for a first attempt at a 1000+ heightmeter ride this year. I chose to do the 54K version of the Accro Bike, a ride starting in Grez-Doiceau and normally good for around 800 heightmeters. Riding very relaxed towards Grez Doiceau already yielded me 12K and 100 heightmeters. The advantage - but it can also be a disadvantage at times - of knowing these trails by heart and also knowing a lot of other trails in the neighborhood, is that you can combine the path of the chosen ride - the Accro Bike - with some extra trails. Obviously, in a region that is comprised of deep valleys this leads sometimes to more climbing and descending than you have bargained for. I managed to stay on the trail until I reached Cocrou. From Cocrou there is a steep climbing leading into a stretch of forest - I had 23% on the Garmin at one point - and then the trail normally stays on the ridge with Pietrebais on the left. But I veered to the left and down into Pietrebais only to climb out of it again to rejoin the trail. Hopsa, an extra 50 heightmeters. The trail then goes towards the Chapel in Longueville where it turns to the right in the direction of Heze. Here it joins the 42K version of the Accro Bike. A bit further I added another extra descend/climb into the Gorge du Loup - the Wolves Throat - which yielded me another 50 extra heightmeters. But after that I decided to stay on the track. My legs were beginning to make themselves feel and I wasn't even half way. Some good stuff into Chaumont Gistoux and I took a break on top of the first 'impossible' climb. I made it, the track was steep but offered very good traction. I made some pictures, had a bite to eat and set forth on the remainder of the trail.

I had been noticing markings indicating 'Challenge du Brabant Wallon' and I was wondering what that was and when it was going to pass here. Might have already taken place. In this part of Brabant Walloon they are not very strict in imposing removal rules for markings of organised rides. If you place a marker in the Flemish part of Brabant, you need to remove it within 24 hours after the event, otherwise they may refuse you passage the next year. In Brabant Walloon I stumbled upon the markings of the Archennes ride "Boucle des 5 Rivieres' which took place last sunday. If I chose to I could have done the entire ride, I am pretty sure none of the markings have been removed -yet. Oh I did do an extra loop coming out of the Bois de Chaumont and riding up towards Aftia. An extra climb - obviously - and then the trail took me down again towards the river 'Le Train' and back up and down towards Bonlez. My legs felt refreshed after the break but they began to make themselves feel again. The Accro Bike is a relentless succession of climbs and descents, very tough and demanding a high level of concentration. The downhill next to the Golf Course in Bercuit was too steep and too tricky so I walked a few metres. A long climb followed up to the 2 Chapels in the Bois des Neulettes. This is Wavre and also the furthest west the trail will go. Under the N 25 and again another 'impossible climb' in the Bois du Tour. Which again I was able to ride completely - with an audience of 3 Enduro Bikers who waited patiently until I cleared the narrow and steep gully. Thanks guys ! back under the N25 through a tunnel and then, instead of going all the way down into Dion Le Val, I turned a sharp left back towards the N25 for another climb. Just before reaching the N25 again, I took a right and descended along a nice singletrack that lead to a field road leading into Dion Le Val. Now I only needed to clear 2 more climbs. Just before entering Grez Doiceau again I passed the 1000 heightmeter mark on my Garmin. I later checked and it seems this version of the Accro Bike 54 lasted 56K and yielded me 900 heightmeters. Not bad.

The ride back home was tough, because my legs and lower back were really tired now and I still had to clear two tough climbs. The first one out of Archennes towards Bossut. I took the sandy trail, very difficult but again somehow I managed to complete the whole climb. Dropping into Nethen after that I had another steep climb - this one on tarmac - waiting to take me towards La Trace and into the Meerdael Forest. There I took the Kromme Dreef towards the Prosperdreef which I followed all the way back into Blanden. In all I had a very rewarding but very tough ride. I was pleased to see my average speed was nearly 17kph with an average heartrate of 133bpm. The forecast for tomorrow looks rainy so I am glad I did this ride today. For those who want to give the Accro Bike 56K a try, I uploaded todays gos track to Motionbased.

Ride Stats : 81K and 1170/1181 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 4h48mins
GPS track of the Accro Bike section on Motionbased : CLICK

1496/12260

Dry evening so I went out for a ride on the road. Started out over Egenhoven , Bertem and Leefdaal. There was a nasty northwester blowing and even though it was 8 degrees C it felt cold, especially on the plateaus. I was incorporating a bit of climbing into my long slow distance ride to spice things up a bit. Out of Leefdaal and then all the way to Duisburg and Eizer. I spotted an 18% climbing sign on my left so I had to check it out. Turned out to be a 20% climb so I had to dig deep with my 12-23 cassette in the back. This road led me towards a dirtroad which dropped me nicely into Huldenberg. Here I had to climb the inevitable Smeyberg - I chose the long climb, not the steep one - and then I could thunder down into Terlanen. Another long climb led me towards Ottenburg and from there I rode towards Pecrot where another couple of steeps climbs upped my heighmeter count considerably. In all I had a fine ride, with an average heartrate of 119 bpm which made it sound as if it was a breeze. Well, apart from the climbs it was. I did not force the issue during the climbing, concentrating on a supple rhythm except for the 20% thing where I had to switch into power mode just to make it.

Ride Stats : 55.5K and 535/570 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h29mins

1415/11090

A very easy and relaxed ride to get rid of the tiredness in my legs. Felt better after the ride, which is always a sign it has done its work. Another chapter in my Templar book and Life singing its V album on my MP3 player. Outside there was a hint of rain and a lot of wind but otherwise not too cold, with temps of around 8-9 degrees C.

Ride Stats : 10.5K in 30mins

1359/10555

Another dry day, so I left early at work to be able to do my intended ride. Ride up to St Agatha Rode and pick in on the Overijse 2 Valleien Bloso routes. I usually do some extra climbing when I'm doing these, and today was no exception. For those who never rode the Overijse Bloso, I can really recommend them. A good mixture of hills, descents and flat sections. Some of the hills are pretty steep and there are a couple of descents where you better keep your eyes open, they are steep and with some nasty surprises in the form of ruts, gulleys or rooty steps. All the hills were perfectly ride-able today. The condition of the trails was perfect. I incorporated a couple of extra climbs around Ottenburg and finished off with a bit of fun in Sint Agatha Rode Bos. I lost my way - or should I say the trail, and had to descent through the forest. The steepness was 24% which is quite a lot in the loose rubble of leaves, branches and other roots. But I made it down to the trail and could continue for a couple of extra climbs on tarmac. The 27% Nieuwe Laan is only around 20% but I descended that one, having taken the parralel climb coming out of the forest from Tombeek. My legs felt good today and I had a good workout, arriving home after a last couple of trails in Meerdael Forest just when dusk was setting in. The bike was fine but the WTB Weirwolf tyres felt a bit over-inflated, especially on some of the cobbles sections. But I left them because I didn't want to risk a flat tyre with the night closing in. I even managed to make some pictures along the way. Pity the forecast for the next days seems to be calling for rain and colder temps. I already saw some Easter flowers pushing through in a secluded berm, basking in the sun and out of the wind.

Ride Stats : 56K and 820/805 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h20mins

1349/10555

08-03-2009, 16:01 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

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05-03-2009, 19:44 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

04-03-2009, 17:11 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

03-03-2009, 20:33 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf