Due to other obligations I could only start around noon for the Ronde van Leuven. The skies were looking threatening but after checking meteox.be I decided it would not rain anytime soon and started for this loop around Leuven. Starting in Blanden meant first riding towards Bierbeek, then Lovenjoel. Followed by Linden and Kortrijk Dutsel. There was a very strong wind, blowing cold from the northwest. This hampered me between Kortrijk Dutsel and Winksele. There was not a lot of traffic on the ride, partly due to the adverse weather conditions but also due to the fact that you could start at 5 or 6 different places. When I reached Winksele I only had a little while to go. Egenhoven and then Heverlee and I was back at the start in Blanden. The skies darkened and I began to feel a couple of raindrops when I arrived home. Pity the weather was not more inviting, I might have added another small loop in Blanden. But as it stood I arrived shortly before 3pm and they were already taking away the arrows anyway. The last start was sheduled for 3pm.

Ride Stats : 59K and 360/405 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h37mins

6660/70160

29-08-2010, 19:35 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

In the morning it looked like a fine day. Sun was shining and even though a nasty wind was blowing cold air from the northwest I decided to ride out. I wasn't sure which way to go so I started out along the track of the Ronde van Leuven starting from Blanden. But they were still arrowing the ride so I switched to the Kroem Foerce arrowing in Bierbeek and decided to follow this hilly trail through Linden, Holsbeek, Kortrijk Dutsel and Sint Pieters Rode until I reached Lubbeek. From there I rode up the hill towards Pellenberg but took a smaller road taking me towards Boutersem instead of following the big road. When I looked towards Bierbeek I noticed with a shock that there was a big black mushroom cloud hanging over Bierbeek, exactly in the direction I was planning to ride. I also felt the wind becoming stronger, no doubt hurrying out in front of the squall.

The only option I had was trying to avoid being hit by the rain so I followed the Tiensesteenweg towards Korbeek Lo, thus leaving the cloud to pass at my left. It seemed to work because I only felt a couple of raindrops when I crossed the outskirts of the depression. Arriving at the Mol I took the expressweg towards Haasrode and Blanden. When I reached the bridge of the E40 the road became wet. I stopped to take another picture, this time from the back of the cloud.

A bit later I arrived home and I had indeed escaped a lot of rain. So I was lucky today, being able to complete my ride in complete dryness.

Ride Stats : 51K and 440/505 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h17mins

6601/69755

28-08-2010, 16:10 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather has been horrible these last couple of days. Not the kind of weather you expect in August. I really pity the people that are on holiday these days. This late afternoon saw at last adry spell so I decided to ride out for a quick 'mise en jambes', comme on dit en Francais. Little loop leading me over Heverlee, Oud Heverlee, the Zoete Waters and Sint Joris Weert towards Nethen, where I put some pressure on my legs by tackling the 16% Tienne Vincent. Back down along the Rue du Wez and then over Hamme Mille and Meerdael back home.

Ride Stats : 25K and 200/255 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h3mins

6550/69250

27-08-2010, 17:53 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Had a good rest yesterday and today I wanted to ride out again. There were nasty winds blowing so I decided to stay in the forest and indulge myself in some exploratory riding, concentrating on climbs and descents. The temperature was a mild 20 degrees C and the sun through the leaves left me with a good feeling without overheating. I twisted and turned, following small tracks , sometimes 2 times in a different direction, just for the fun of it. Forget consistent loops, I was just adding the trails I wanted to ride. It struck me that a lot of the small tracks were washed out and there were quite some fallen trees as well.
 When I paused briefly for a snack near the forest edge in Nethen, I spotted some roedeer deep down below. You can see them on one of the pictures I posted. When I arrived at the top of the Haye du Wez in Nethen I spotted a big Dodge Ram jeep. I kinda liked the reflections of myself in the big ram badge so I added this pic to the series.  

24-08-2010, 20:22 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf