Received some good news and some bad news about the bikes I have. The problems with the bottom bracket on my Litespeed are solved. No idea what it was but I will find out when I go to collect the bike. On the other hand, Filip Sport has some problems closing the NoTubes solution on the rear wheel of mu Moots. The tyre is a brand-new Continental Mountain King Protection - a favorite of mine - and yet the fluid cannot be contained in the tyre. Funny enough the front tyre - same make, same model - didn't pose any problems.
This meant that today I had to take the Merlin out again - as if I minded - for a recon of the 45K track of the upcoming Meerdael 2000 ride. This organised ride takes place on october 31st so mark that date in your organisers, my readers. 
The 45K has some nice tracks and offers some astonishing climbing and descents. Check the map below to find out where it goes. There are 2 rest stops, one in Gottechain and the other one in Sint Joris Weert, and the Red Bull girls have agreed to be there. So be there or be square, I would say.
Personally, on the 31st, I will be aiming for the 65K, as a member of the organisation. I will leave very early to check the arrowing. The 65K is a beast compared to the 45K, I think the extra 20K offers more or less 450 extra heightmeters. So not for the meek or easily impressed. If I find the time between now and then I might recon it and put the trail map here.
I could maintain a good pace today throughout the ride. Having started more or less relaxed, to warm up in the 5 degrees C and northerly wind. But once I got out of the forest for the first time, and onto the plains towards Gottechain I could put the hammer down and let the bike and my legs do the work. 

I had a great ride, the trails were super, a bit moist here and there and getting trickier every day now with the falling leaves. When I arrived at the Zoete Waters I bumped into a big group from BigM. Said our hellos and had a little chat. They were just finishing a Meerdael Forest ride, I only had 6K to go to close todays loop. 

Ride Stats : 45.5K and 510/565 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h16mins

7578/80755
 

17-10-2010, 00:00 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Looked like it was going to rain so I decided to take advantage of the dry weather to do another loop or two in the Meerdael Forest. Starting on the Blue BLOSO  I encountered Alain De Munter, an old Blancs Gilets friend from the days when I was still racing MTB marathons.  He was at the Zoete Waters and looking for the start of the Blue BLOSO trail. I decided to point him in the right direction. We started out together on the trail. Now, Alain has always been a very strong rider and it was quite a challenge to try and keep up with him. He was riding at a more or less leisurely pace, I was seeing stars trying to follow him, especially on the uphills. At the Savenel I could follow him because he didn't look at ease in the deep sand. When we reached the Blue/Red split, we went our different way. He wanted to add the Red route and I wanted to stay on the Blue Bloso.
So I finished the Blue and then turned the Merlin around for the ride back, following the same trail but in the opposite direction. I felt strong and made a good workout of the several climbs. The bike performed well with the suspensions set at 95psi.

Near the end of the Blue, when I was riding back home, I encountered Alain again. He had again lost his way so I pointed him towards the Zoete Waters and from there he had to ride back to his home in Huldenberg. I hope he got home before the rain started and dusk fell. It was nice to meet him again and chat up on old Paris Roubaix VTT and other epic rides he and/or I did.

Ride Stats : 38.5K and 445/490 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h49mins

7533/80190

Feeling a bit weak in the stomach since yesterday evening but still rode out for a mountainbike ride along the Meerdael Red Bloso. When I got to the end, I turned the Merlin around and speeded back in the opposite direction. I put more pressure in my tyres than I usually do which meant that I felt the suspension was a bit stiff. So I will put 5psi less in each pump and see how that feels the next time I ride the bike. The trails were dry and fast and my legs were feeling strong as well.

Ride Stats : 38.5K and 340/405 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h45mins

7494/79700

13-10-2010, 19:21 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf