When I got out of bed this morning I still felt a bit tired from yesterdays' ride. I didn't have high hopes for my condition today but I had promised to be at the start in Haasrode at 7am so I rode out anyway. After a couple of hellos I rode off with another biker who would accompany me during the first kilometers until the 52 and 62K distance split. Meerdael forest was glistening with dew and the bikes were wet from riding through the grass on our way to the forest. It was warm with 19 degrees C but the forecast called for possible rain later in the day, even thunderstorms in the late afternoon. So the early biker got the worm today.
When my bike companion for half an hour took a left at the 52/62K split I was riding alone through an awakening forest. My job was to control the signage , if needed replace broken or stolen signs and make sure the riders, who could officially start at 7.30am, would not get lost . When the trail is ridden in this direction - counterclockwise on the map -  the toughest bit of the ride comes first. A loop with some solid climbs and tricky descents on the Nethen side of the Meerdael forest. The sand in the Savenel area was deep and stuck to my wet bike. The long climb up to the plateau again was immediately followed by a fast descent towards the Kluis. It made my glasses foggy with the contrasting warmth of my body against the crisp forest air. The loop through the Bois de Beaumont led me down the long hollow road towards Nethen. When I was near the end, I saw a rope that had been spanned over the road. There was a festival of some sorts in the fields surrounding the track and the two fields had been connected by ropes. I stopped and had a talk with one of the festival people. I explained him that there was a mountainbike event passing here and that it would be better to remove the ropes. So we did just that.

After this intermezzo I rode on and when I arrived at Nethen I noticed an arrow had been removed at a crucial spot. A left turn . I replaced the arrow so that the bikers would not take the Bruyere de Wez going straight up - an 18% tarmac climb - but instead turned left for a steep offroad climb ending with a small step. A bit more of a challenge for a mountainbiker. I crossed someone from Mountainbike Tour Trips at the top of the climb. He was possibly also confused about the missing arrow. A bit further I descended back towards Nethen and stood at the start of the infamous Lianenklim. There is also an easier track, not through the deep and wet gully but following tarmac, cobbles and a track though the fields instead. I took the easy option. I wasn't sure about the condition of the track in the Lianenklim and I didn't want to be stabbed to death by gnats or even horseflies.

I continued towards and through Bossut and after 20K into the ride I arrived at the first rest stop high up in Gottechain. There still were no bikers here, only members of the organisation. I told them of the missing arrow and advised they sent someone over to re-check. I then rode on, taking a very steep downhill that might make some victims among the 52 and 62K bikers that pass here.

The 42K and other distances split off just after the rest stop so now I was on long-distances-only trails. Into and out of Grez and then crawling up the steep cobble climb to Biez. This is the start of a very intense section in Brabant Walloon, where a lot of heighmeters, some marvelous views and sheer fun are to be had for the mountainbiker. When I arrived at the first rest stop, I already had around 350 heightmeters, but the next section of 15K would easily double that amount. I was still riding alone and was enjoying the first rays of sunshine . The sections in the Forest de Glabais are some of the finest in the area. At times one could imagine being in the Ardennes. 
The sun was frequently obscured by clouds but it remained dry. The small grassy track leading down into Pietrebais demanded my full attention. Even though the grass had been mown a couple of days ago, there were still dangers hiding below the greenage. Hidden ruts and even stones can easily topple the unaware biker over. A long climb on tarmac takes me back out of Pietrebais and then downhill again through a forest on a dangerously washed-out track. I drop into Cocrou. Here care has to be taken, the small road to the right is easily overseen. But the signage is OK and only the fast and the furious will miss the turn. For them, we have put some extra signs further down into Cocrou village that will lead them back to the trail, eventually. The long climb through a beautiful hollow forest road from the Fond du Moulin up to the plateau through the Bois de Beausart stresses my legs.

But I also know that this is amongst the last really tough climbs. I am nearing the 2nd rest stop at the edge of the Bois de Linsmeau and here I encounter the first real muddy puddles. But those who are 'in the know' can take a little singletrack that runs parallel to the muddy track. I take a break at the rest stop and have a little chat with the volunteers manning the stop. Thanks has to go to each and every one of them. They also sacrifice their free time to help us organise this ride.
The following downhill is a bit less dangerous than yesterday because the tree that had fallen over the trail has been removed. I also notice that the sandy bit is a little deeper than yesterday. I see my first bikers on the trails when I join the 42K riders coming from the left. From now on I can up my tempo a little bit and play catch-me-if-you-can with the other bikers. Some can catch and pass me , others try but die in my wheel. Life is fun.
The ride now mellows out a bit going though the fields between Gottechain and Tourinnes le Grosse. We cross the language border near Valduc and disappear into Meerdael Forest once again. A loop that takes us from the Walendreef and the Weertse Dreef to Mollendaal, the highest point of the forest, and then down into Bierbeek. A last climb following the De Betstraat hurts because it is long, grassy and difficult. Then I am back at the Haasrode Sports Complex where I started 65K , 3h48mins and over 900 heightmeters earlier. Riding back home I take a couple of backroads and small trails just for the fun of it. I had a good ride today.

Ride Stats : 73K and 930/1020 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h56mins
Stats TT Haasrode : 65K and 935 heightmeters (Garmin)

Track on EveryTrail :

TT Haasrode Natuurvrienden 65K at EveryTrail


Plan your trips with EveryTrail iPhone Travel Guides

6393/68335

22-08-2010, 14:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Tomorrow takes place the Haasrode TT, traditionally one of the better organised rides in my region, and certainly the one offering the best distance to heightmeters ratio. It is also one of the rides where I have the privilige of being in the organising committee. So today we set out to put in place the arrows. Each team of 2 people had a section to provide the arrows for. I was paired with Jan, one of the fittest riders of the lot. Fortunately we maintained an easy pace as we rode with 6 bikers to the farthest loops in deep Brabant Walloon. We split up at the reststop in Gottechain (check the map) and there Jan and I had to cover a bit of ground to takes us to the start of our section. Starting in Heze and making our way through the Bois de Glabais. A descent along the Rue de la Gorge du Loup. Sharp left and then a long climb towards the Chapelle du Cheneau in Longueville. We had a spot of bother with a little dog that wouldn't leave us. So I rode back down into the Gorge to take the dog back to its owner. Jan continued meanwhile placing the arrows. I was really surprised the trails were almost dry. It had rained considerably last week and except for a big puddle here and there , there was not much evidence of any wetness. Great trail conditions, a little moist, also due to the morning dew no doubt, offering perfect traction. From the chapelle a long downhill back into the Residal awaited us. Another climb taking us then to the Avenue Felix Lacourt leaving Heze. We passed the Grand Sart and then made our way into Cocrou were we met 2 other team-members who also had finished their part of the trail. We proceeded to another rendez-vous point down at the Rue de Linsmeau . We had to wait a little bit for the 3rd team to arrive and then we rode back towards Haasrode. I took some pictures along the way so people who were in doubt of the trail condition can check out how they are today. With no rain and 25 degrees C today the trails will be dry tomorrow for sure.

There is one point on the trail where I want to warn the people doing the 52 and 62K, to be careful which turn they take. When you arrive in Cocrou there are arrows pointing to the right. But you might not see the small trail on the right, the one which you are SUPPOSED to take, and instead take the tarmac into Cocrou. We did foresee an arrow in downtown Cocrou to lead the sheep that were led astray back to the right track. Here is a Google satelliet view with the track on it, explaining how you should proceed on that spot.

For those who want to figure out the track, here is a black and white rendition of the trail maps.


Ride Stats : 42.5K and 525/595 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h17mins

6420/67315

21-08-2010, 12:59 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

3 days without biking left their trace. I felt uneasy and restless, and also tired. It had been raining hard on sunday , monday and tuesday and yesterday I had other duties to perform. So I was eager to ride out today. The weather was more sunny and their was only some wind blowing to remind me of the bad weather we endured the last half week. I followed the blue arrows of the 50K Biz' on the bike ride keeping an easy pace so as to not stress my legs too much . The wind felt good when it was blowing in my back and the sun was also a joy to feel on my bare arms. Murphy struck when I saw a brand-spanking new 2011 Audi RS5 in Hamme Mille and noticed the battery of my Sony DSC-W300 was flat. I also didn't have my mobile phone with me, which must be one of the very few times in 15 years. So I could only ogle the black beast but I could not share the experience with my fellow car bufs.

Ride Stats : 48K and 340/380 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h3mins

6378/66720

19-08-2010, 18:26 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf