Got up early for an easy ride. After yesterdays' ride my legs didn't feel too bad but I chose to relax and just do an hours' worth of relatively flat roads. The temperature was only 4 degrees with a little fog that was quickly dissipated when a cold wind started to blow. But by then I was already back home again.

Ride Stats : 25K and 255/185 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h6mins

8437/89565

21-11-2010, 11:41 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Dry and sunny and I decided to ride out for a long ride. Yesterday I felt a bit off, probably due to a flu shot I got on thursday but today I felt better. I took the Moots and first rode towards Duisburg, crossing Meerdael and then making my way over the Smeysberg. From Neerijse I rode up towards the double water towers marking Duisburg. A little later I was into the Sonian Forest , following the Dronkemansbaan next to the Kapucijnen Cellar.

The trails were a bit wetter here than they were in Meerdael last thursday, but it did rain yesterday. But nothing to worry about. I passed Jezus Eik and made my way to the Nero route. Coming to the railway bridge I noticed the terrain was once again changed into a building site. I wanted to follow the Nero route in the opposite direction. This is not as easy to do as - say - on the Meerdael Bloso's or the Overijse Bloso's. Some points are easy to recognize but the Sonian forest has a lot of trails that are looking exactly like each other. Lots of squares as well. But I managed , not without looking over my back from time to see if I was still on the track. I included one of the singletrack sections but these were so messy that I decided to leave out the other two. I will do them when track conditions are better. When I arrived in Groenendaal I decided to leave the Nero and riding towards Hoeilaart and Maleizen I connected to the Overijse Bloso trails. Following these I had to chew on a lot more heightmeters than in the Sonian Forest but I had my GPS and trail knowledge and more or less moved into the direction of Sint Agatha Rode, cutting short some corners here and there. My heartrate was still a little high and I didn't want to strain myself too much. From Sint Agatha I rode to Sint Joris Weert where I entered the Meerdael Forest. A quick stop at the Hertebron where I found confirmation of what I already read in the papers . The spring is believed to be contaminated with a bacterial infection and people are warned not to drink the water under the results are in.

Finishing my ride more or less following the Paddenpoel from the Kluis to the Weertse Dreef and then a loop along the Prosperdreef back into Blanden. I had a good solid 4 hour ride in pleasant conditions. I uploaded todays' track to Every Trail so those who want to have a go at it , be my guest. Its not too difficult and should be Ok as a long winter ride as well.

Nero and Overijse Bloso at EveryTrail

EveryTrail - Find hiking trails in California and beyond

Ride Stats : 74.5K and 830/950 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 4h6mins

8412/89380

20-11-2010, 17:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Took out the Moots this evening for a ride in Meerdael Forest. The forest had recovered well from last weekends' continuous rainfall and I was amazed at the dryness of the trails. During the first part of my ride I concentrated on Meerdael and Mollendaalbos riding clockwise along the perimeter. A long passage through the fields to reach Valduc where I entered the forest again. Passing in the Warande valley and then slowly making my way to the Northern edge of Meerdael Forest and entering Heverleebos at the Harcourt castle. I had to use my lights now because darkness had fallen completely. I crossed the Naamesesteenweg at La Chasse and rode home passing the Commonwealthh graves and following the Meerdaelboslaan towards Blanden. Temperature was a mild 6 degrees C.

Ride Stats : 29K and 220/270 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h34mins

8338/88430

18-11-2010, 18:32 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Was home quite late but still I wanted to ride out, so I prepared for my first real night ride of the new winter season. Lumicycle LED light on the ready, bright red flashing light in the back, clear goggles and reflective strips on clothing and in my wheels.
Nightriding, or riding the tunnel of light, is fun but you have to be prepared. Can you change a tyre in bad light? Better make sure you can, you never know.  Also, being seen is primordial, so make sure other drivers see you. Christmas style.
Still, that being said, riding the tunnel can be fun, especially on calm evenings like this. Avoiding the busiest roads to escape the diesel fumes, dust and light pollution. The bright white cone in front of my tyre guides me to the strangest places , all I have to do is pedal to follow it. The temperature was tricky, not cold enough for real warm clothing and mittens, but cold enough for an extra layer of gloves and a winter vest with thermo lining over my underwear (three layers of it to wick moisture away from my body). Under my helmet I wore a casquette.
I came home with a good feeling in my head and legs, not tired and with enough energy to spare for the next days.

Ride Stats : 38.5K and 265/315 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h42mins

8309/88160

17-11-2010, 22:19 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Dry and relatively warm conditions, so I rode out around 3.30pm for what would turn out to be a pleasant ride. I took my Lumicycle Led3 with me because I didn't want to stop due to the evening falling. In the beginning the light was Ok but soon it began to fade. High on the crest over Bertem I saw the sun hiding behind some drak clouds, and the wind made for a very bright and crisp view of the horizon. I found the colors very beautiful so stopped and took a couple of pictures. They turned out quite nice. It looks like a window on heaven, if you believe in that kind of thing. And even if you don't you may want to admit that it looks like something is looking in from a very bright place, down on the shady earth. The clouds formations over the darker earth make for some nice photographs, they almost look like paintings.

Riding on and I made a long loop over Neerijse, Huldenberg, Terlanen and Ottenburg and then returned to Sint Agatha Rode. The road to Sint Joris Weert was still blocked for traffic and the big puddles on the road were even deeper than yesterday. I got wet feet riding through them and then rode on towards Weert and the Zoete Waters. It was dark by now but my powerful light cleared the path. Arriving after just over two hours I got a good solid ride under my belt.

Ride Stats : 47K and 390/415 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h5mins

8270/87845