Cool this morning and when I rode out around 11AM it was still great biking weather. Sun was out but there was a crispness in the air that made it pleasant to ride along at a long slow distance pace. I started out along the Red road Bloso route that goes over Vaalbeek towards the Zoete Waters. From there the track leads to Sint Joris Weert and Sint Agatha Rode. Then towards Florival and Ottenburg and here I split off from the route to take an extra loop towards Tombeek and then back over the plains towards Terlanen. Back towards Sint Agatha Rode and then onwards to Neerijse and Leefdaal before turning right to Egenhoven and Heverlee. Coming back through the industrial compound of Haasrode and following the N25 into Blanden. Ride was very relaxing and good fun due to the weather.

Ride Stats : 54K and 365/390 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h18mins

5409/56945

18-07-2010, 13:58 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A pulled muscle in my lower back made me take it easy for a couple of days but today I wanted to see if I could ride again. So I set out , after it had rained a bit in the AM, for an easy recovery ride. Ride which took me through Heverlee and to the Parkpoort in Leuven. I then followed the rind around Leuven , pausing briefly to take a picture of the monument Rik Poot erected in front of the KBC Insurance buildings. It is called 'The Abduction of Europa' and pictures Europa being taken away by Zeus, in the form of a majestic bull.

I then continued along the ring around Leuven until I reached the Naamsepoort. Here I disappeared into the smaller alleys and my road then took me towards Heverlee and Oud-Heverlee. Along the Zoete Waters and further towards Sint Joris Weert and Nethen. From there it was only a small stretch towards Hamme Mille and Meerdael again. I felt Ok throughout the ride and now have to wait how the muscles will react to the strain of the ride.

Ride Stats : 37.5K and 250/290 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h40

5355/56555

Rise and shine at 7.30am to beat the heat. I was planning to combine the 50K of the 1W Tour des Loups, with the 100K of the BizOnTheBike . Starting out in Pietrebais the 1W moves slowly towards Perwez. The wind was blowing hard from the south - a dry hot wind - and I struggled a bit in the beginning. Not wanting to stress myself too much in view of the lenght of the ride - I guessed it would be between 85 an 90K - I took it easy and tried to enjoy the sun which was already  making its way like a speedy fireball towards the zenith.
Passing through villages with names like Maleves Sainte Marie Wastinnes I reached the outskirts of Perwez and took the 50K version of the  1W along the ravel towards Ramillies

Then the track turned towards Mont-Saint-Andre and Bomal. A bit further the track then is joined by the 90K 1W trail as it drops into Jauchelette.

A tough bit is the climb out of Dongelberg, where the sun is hammering on my back. After Dongelberg I reach Lathuy and when I cross the N240 and enter Melin I have to switch from the small 1W signs to the big blue BizOnTheBike arrows. My trail now leads me to Saint Remy Geest and Zetrud Lumay. I pause to take a picture of the Hoegaarden church before entering this village at the edge of the language border.

The trail now makes a loop towards Hauthem and the Marollen Chapel before entering Hoksem where I take a picture of its unique church with the two church roosters.

A long uphill and fast downhill takes me to Kumtich where the track at last turns towards Willebringen, Neervelp and Bierbeek. It turns out my guess was exactly right since the trail measures almost 90K. With a riding time of almost 4 hours I beat the midday sun. When I arrive home some small clouds begin to appear. Perhaps we will see some rain in the afternoon.

Ride Stats : 89K and 680/735 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h59mins

5318/56265

This morning saw the passing of some thinderstorms with only mild rain. So in the afternoon I decided to try my luck offroad and headed out with the Moots towards Pecrot. I had decided on doing the extra loop the 100K meerdael classic did after the split from the 67K distance. I had noticed that this 37K loop had around 700 heightmeters, nearly half of the entire 100K distance. And of course my legs had also noticed the relentless succession of climbs and descents. So after a bit of work with Mapsource I had extracted that loop and loaded it in my Edge 705.
Starting in Pecrot with the infamous railroad singletrack followed by a climb and descent towards Florival station. Then the loop goes towards the Laurensart forest for a great loop followed by a passage through Ottenburg and down along the Oliestraat. 22% climb into St Agatha Rode Bos and then following the Overijse loop for a while before taking a right towards Terlanen and up through the Zandstraat. A first passage on the Smeysberg. The most difficult climb on the Overijse trails is also there, and at the top you have a beautiful lookout over Huldenberg. The Brabanders were there so I paused briefly to take a couple of pictures.

Then a fast downhill through a tricky hollow road into Huldenberg and a bit of recovery along the edge of the river Ijse. Not for long though because the trail then does 4 climbs in the Margijsbos. Yes, an amazing loop this one. Down towards the Langerode and then yet another long climb back up the ridge. At last a downhill towards the Langerode again and a passage through Sint Agatha Rode brings me towards the Marbaise where the trail ends . Amazing loop, and a tough one as well. You can find it on my Garmin Connect page where you also find the complete 100K if you should feel the need to ride that.
But if you only have a limited time I want to recommend this extra trail. It is one of the best loops I've done in a while in this region. There is not much I would add, given the already large amount of hills, descents and curvy singletrails. Be prepared for a 2h30-3 hours ride though.



Ride Stats : 60K and 810/885 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h28mins

5228/55530

12-07-2010, 20:28 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf