Because my friend Roger insisted that the Kroem Foerce was worth the while I decided to follow this track from Blanden onwards. And indeed, when it reached Korbeek Dyle things began to intensify. In Linden and Holsbeek the Meesbergpad and Chartreuse are calf-biters and the legs were feeling it when I followed the track towards Lubbeek and Kerkom. Some not-too-busy roads and nice backroads through lovely landscapes.

The weather was OK, sun was out most of the time and the temperature was bearable with around 22 degrees Celcius on average. The Kroeme Foerce tour starts in Sint Truiden but once I got in the region of Tienen I decided to skip the last part - flat no doubt - and cut to the right on the route national from Diest to Tienen. Riding straight through the city of Tienen had me guess a bit but at long last I arrived on the Hannuitsesteenweg in Bost. From here I came to Goetsenhoven whence I now my way since the Vlaanderen Stedenroute passes there. Just before Hoegaarden I connected to the Kroeme Foerce tour again and soon I was at the first climb - Helling 1 - which led me to the plateau where the Marollen Chapel stands. Taking a break there before riding onwards .

From Meldert the second climbs brings me towards Opvelp where the track veers to the left to connect Beauvechain and Hamme Mille. In Nethen I had to look a bit to find the 3rd climb - an 18% grade no less - which I took on the smallest gear. I had close to 81K in my legs and then 18% is a lot. I stopped at the well near the Camping La Hetraie to drink some cool water before engaging the last 10K

The trail then moves towards Sint Joris Weert where climb number 4 takes me to the gendarmerie. Here it turns left again and reaches the Zoete Waters, from where it moves towards Vaalbeek and back into Blanden. A surprisingly good ride with a solid 800 heightmeters in this configuration. A good training ride indeed. When I got home Roger passed by and he immediately guessed which ride I had done. He wanted to ride in the Ardennes tomorrow but in view of the weather forecast I gently declined.

Ride Stats : 95K and 765/815 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 4h15mins

6330/66340

14-08-2010, 16:21 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

11-08-2010, 19:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today I started following the FK markers I discovered a couple of days ago. Its seems the circuit starts near Sint Truiden somewhere. I followed it through Blanden towards Haasrode and Bierbeek but when it looked to go towards Korbeek Lo I lost interest and continued along the "Haasrode" trail towards Neervelp, Willebringen, Hoksem and Oorbeek. I stopped near the Goudberg Geosite , where a petrified forest was discovered and protected some years ago when they were building the HST trail. Enjoying an energy bar and the warm August sun on my skin I paused for a while.

I then set on towards Hoegaarden when I discovered the FK markers. These must be near the beginning of the loop because when I arrived in Meldert there was a marking on the road with 'Helling 2' , meaning the second climb. I followed the track towards Opvelp and Beauvechain and onwards to Hamme Mille and Nethen. I must have missed 'Helling 3' because when I exited Sint Joris Weert I was on 'Helling 4'. I also learned there were 2 distances when I discovered a split near Meldert. The 75K distance breaking to the right towards Willebringen, and the 125K distance which I followed until I reached Vaalbeek and Blanden again. Could be interesting to ride towards Korbeek Lo one of these days and see whether the track goes into the hilly region near Pellenberg and Lubbeek. For now I had a good ride at an easy pace.

Ride Stats : 60K and 410/470 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h37mins

6180/65000

09-08-2010, 20:02 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf