Looked Ok this morning, the sun was out and the forecast did not call for any rain to speak of. Unfortunately the wind was blowing quite hard from the southwest. That wind would be my adversary but also my friend during this ride.
I started out over Bierbeek, Neervelp and Willebringen to reach Hoegaarden. Here I injected myself on the the Ravel 2 and followed that to reach Eghezee. The wind was blowing fiercely from my right and luckily most of the Ravel route lies sheltered behind shrubberies and small trees. Upon reaching Eghezee I turned on the N91 and my speed was going up due to the wind now blowing slightly in my favor. This chemical wedding of my mitochondria and the wind sped me along and I was reaching 30kph+ without much trouble. At the last stretch I was even able to go 40kph in the fast corner around the Beauvechain airport. Arriving in Hamme Mille I had 70K on my counter so I decided to add a loop towards Nethen, Sint Joris Weert and Neerijse. On the Sint Jansbergse steenweg again the wind was in my favor and on the flat and descending bits I had no trouble following some of the cars which were doing 50kph.  Arriving in Egenhoven I rode towards Arenberg and then back to Oud-Heverlee. Arriving at the Zoete Waters I was on shedule to make it a century ride. Even though this was my second century in two days I felt a lot better than yesterday.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 101.5K and 635/655 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h36mins

7519/67005

07-08-2011, 15:21 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Weather promised to be reasonably dry and warm, so I rode out today around 10.15AM for a logn ride. I wore a short sleeved jersey but also a windbreaker, just to be protected should it rain. Riding through Sint Joris Weert, Nethen and Pecrot and then from Archennes to Grez. Climbing towards the Circuit de Bercuit Golf Course to reach Dion at the other side of the hill. Crossing the Chaussee de Huy I set forth towards Corroy Le Grand. I had to ask for the best way because this is a region that is not so very well known to me. But when I reached Gistoux I was fine. From Corroy I decided to make my way towards Perwez and I had memorized a couple of villages I should pass in order to get there. Nil-Saint-Martin, Tourinnes-Saint-Lambert and Orbais passed under my wheels. Reaching the Chaussee de Charleroi I was not far from Perwez. In Perwez I injected myself on the Ravel and followed that until I reached Hoegaarden. From Hoegaarden I followed the Haasrode Tour in reverse direction. Through Oorbeek, Hoksem, Kumtich and Willebringen. Passing the Water Tower hig above Bierbeek I was greeted by a strange sight. Someone had planted a whole lot of Father Christmas figurines in the field. I could not resist taking a picture of this strange sight.

It had started to rain, some big drops, as I descended towards Bremt and then rode to Bierbeek and the Haasrode Industrieterrain. Into Heverlee Park next and then back home following the Naamsesteenweg towards Blanden. Good solid ride in good conditions ; a temperature around 24 degrees C, a little breeze from the south and overcast weather with the sun peeping through for short periods of time. Some rain as well but nothing much. Cleaning my bike with a rag when I got home was all that was needed. 

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 106K and 765 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h58mins

7417/66350

06-08-2011, 15:40 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Rode out for a short ride this evening. Starting out over Heverlee and Egenhoven and the taking the tarmac road high above Leefdaal towards the bigger road from Leefdaal to Neerijse. From Neerijse I made my way to Sint Joris Weert and then Nethen. The weather was not too bad, 24 degrees C and every now and then some light drizzle. So I opted for another loop, taking me towards Hamme Mille, Beauvechain and Opvelp. From Opvelp I took the road to Bierbeek, then moved on to the Haasrode Industriepark for a lap of the grounds. From Nethen I had been following some yellow/red arrows marked 'Grinta!'. I think these belong to an organised ride starting in Duffel. Pity they don't go any deeper in Brabant-Walloon , which did not make it worthwhile to follow them any longer than necessary. The sun came through near the end of my ride and I was a bit overdressed all of a sudden with my long sleeved jersey and windbreaker.
On another note, I have been weighing my new set of climbing wheels, Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra Two carbons with tubular Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp Pro tyres and a Campagnolo Record 13-29 cassette. They weigh 355g less than my Neutron/Continental Attack&Force combo, which sports a 12-25 cassette. I hope I will feel the difference on the Ardennes climbs. I only need to change my brake pads and I can go and test them.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 52K and 275/305 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h51mins

7311/65585

05-08-2011, 20:23 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

For a long time it looked like I would not be able to ride out today. It drizzled off and on throughout the entire day. But then, around 6pm the rain stopped and an hour later I was zooming on moist roads whilst some fog was forming when the sun was peeping through the opening clouds. I settled for a quick fast ride, riding over the Zoete Waters, Sint Joris Weert and Neerijse towards Overijse and onwards up to Reutenbeek. There I took a turn to the left and rode back north along Terlanen and Sint Agatha Rode. Reaching Sint Joris Weert again and I took a right turn at the Zoete Waters to finish off my loop over Vaalbeek and into Blanden.
The legs felt fine even though I felt tired throughout the day. Must be the change from holiday to work . Different eating, waking  and sleeping times. 2 days ago I bought a pair of Campagnolo Hyperon Two Ultra wheels, fitted with Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp Pro tubulars. I contacted Filip Sport and I will have him put a Campagnolo Record 13-29 cassette on it. The wheels will be used for climbing sessions in the Ardennes. I also need to change the brakepads when I put those wheels on my Vortex , because the Hyperons are carbon fibre wheels and need softer pads than my aluminum Neutrons. Looking forward to see how the tubulars will perform.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 40.5K and 240/255 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h25mins

7259/65280

03-08-2011, 21:01 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

A good days' rest yesterday. The weather was picking up with 25 degrees and today even 30 degrees. The moment I rode out I was already convincing myself that 3 hours of riding would be too much. A dry southern wind and downright too hot temperatures were prohibiting.
So I settled for a shorter loop, doing a little more than 2 hours and 60K. The legs felt fine and near the end the fatigue I felt due to the warmth seemed to fall off of me.
I also received the 57 and 67K tracks for the upcoming Haasrode TT on the 28th of August. They look promising with the 57 netting around 900 heightmeters and the 67 adding an extra 10K loop and some 150 extra heightmeters. You can check out the tracks on my Endomondo profile. I added them on the same day as todays' ride. As I type this the clouds are getting darker, and it definately looks like thunderstorms could be a possibility. So much for the short bout of summer. Oh well, a couple of degrees less heat will suit me fine.

Endomondo track


Endomondo track 57K Haasrode TT

Endomondo track 67K Haasrode TT


Ride Stats : 61K and 395/440 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h14mins

7219/65025

02-08-2011, 19:38 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf