Despite the passing of a few thunderstorms, with some welcome rain, the temperatures were already rising towards 25 degrees C when I rode out a little before 9am. I wanted to do a substantial ride before it got too hot. I rode over Bierbeek and Meldert towards Hauthem and then descended into Hoegaarden. Following the Ravel just past Jodoigne to where it crosses the incoming track of the 1W ride.

This happens in Huppaye. From there I followed the 1W ride over Dongelberg, Lathuy and Melin to the N240. Here I followed that road towards Hamme Mille and then took a left towards Nethen for a last loop over SintJoris Weert and the Zoete Waters. By now it was nearly noon and the temperatures had risen to a comfortable 30 degrees C. Good thing there was a good breeze blowing from the west. When I arrived home I could see the first clouds forming on the southern horizon. More thunderstorms are forecast later today and tonight.

Ride Stats : 67,5K and 425/525 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h57mins

5168/54645

I started an hour earlier today to try and beat the heat but I still had 2 degrees more on average than yesterday. 29 degrees C that is. Good thing there was still a breeze blowing because there was not a cloud in sight to stop the sun from beating down. I did another 'in point' ride, riding out over Hamme Mille and then through the fields along the N91 towards Pietrebais and along the N240 passing the main entrance of the Charles Roman 1W Airbase. I then took a left towards Melin and then crossed the N240 again on my way to Lathuy. In the fields past Lathuy , one hour into the ride, I took a 360 degree turn .

I took the same way back but decided to have a better look at the General Dynamics F16 fighter that was recently put on display on the entrance of the Charles Roman Airbase in Beauvechain. I took a series of pictures that can be viewed HERE. Here is an example.

From there I took a turn towards the N240 again and followed my way back home along the same way I had ridden an hour ago. I also stopped by the little chapel outside Nodebais for a brief rest in the shade. I like to read the texts that have been written on its walls.

From Nodebais it was a short way through Hamme Mille and into Meerdael Forest to get home just past noon. It promises to be a very hot day and it really should rain because the fields are so dry the harvest is in danger. Maybe tomorrow some thunderstorms might reach us, but that is not the kind of rain the land needs. It really should rain for a day , soft and continuous. But that is not in the immediate future it seems.

Ride Stats : 48K and 365/465 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h12mins

5101/54120

Sun is out, even with a stiff breeze blowing from the south things were heating up very fast. Rode out with no particular idea for a route in my mind. So I started by following some orange arrows that brought me to the Zoete Waters and then to Sint Joris Weert and St Agatha Rode, there I rode towards Terlanen and climbed up to Ottenburg. Here I decided to ride towards Basse-Wavre and connect to Gistoux and Chaumont, following the same route like the Tour de France did 2 days ago. Just past Gistoux I took a left turn and made my way towards Longueville. Here I paused briefly in the shade of the Chapelle du Cheneau, or as it is officially know, the Chapelle Notre-Dame des Affligés.

Riding along towards Heze and Grez Doiceau I felt the ultimate joy in cycling, a slight downhill with a gentle breeze and the sun in your back and overlooking some very beautiful landscapes. From Grez I took the direction of Hamme Mille, passing through Bossut on the way, and then back home.

Ride Stats : 58K and 510/550 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h40mins

5053/53655

Took a day off to watch the passage of the Tour de France yesterday but today I was bike on the bike for a relaxing ride taking me along the Vlaanderen Fietsroute LF6 all the way to Hoegaarden. There, having ridden an hour, I turned the bike around and rode back along the same way. The weather was better than yesterday - look at the pictures I took from the Tour passing in Chaumont Gistoux on my Flickr account - with the sun back out. There was still a good breeze blowing and the occasional cloud prevented it from feeling too warm.

Ride Stats : 43,5K and 380/415 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h4mins

4995/53105

06-07-2010, 13:59 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf