Picking in on the 50K loop at camping La Hetraie in Nethen the track was still very much notice-able from the many bikers that passed here 2 days ago. This was an advantage, it made following the right trail easier and the trail itself was beaten to a pulp by the many wheels. The grass was wet with condensation but overall trail conditions were good. A little bit moist but not wet. The Ottenburg TT is known for its many hills and this version would indeed honor that tradition. Constantly going up and down, incorporating some fine singletrails and in general connecting the areas' finest climbs and descents, I passed the Bois the Beaumont , rode up into La Malaise and then dropped down towards Florival where they had devised a heavenly loop up and down in the Bois de la Hocaille and then along the singletrail overlooking the railroad. Down into Pecrot the trail followed the valley and then crossed the river Dyle before climbing up into the Langerode forest. Here I would encounter the first problem with the GPS track. Arriving at the top of the long climb I saw three possible trails to follow. My GPS remained stumm - or I did not see the track when it was displayed - so I had to choose. I chose wrong, I arrived in the lush green valley after a steep descent and then went up the steppy downhill on the Red Bloso route. No signal from my GPS that I was on the right track so I decided to try one of the purple lines and dropped down the Tomme. Following the track I chose to take a left towards Wavre. When I arrived at the round point I decided this was no use and rode towards the Start in the Bloemenstraat.

Here I re-started my GPS navigation and this this time I was on the right track immediately. Down into a field and then towards Terlanen. Up and down the Sint Agatha Rode bos ridge a couple of times and then taking another Bloso track in the reverse direction. The heightmeters were accumulating nicely and my energy reserves were being drained at the same time. Arriving at the Langeheidestraat for the second time today, after a mean and steep climb, I now followed the track in the good direction, down the steppy downhill and into the lush green valley again. And then up the very steep ascent towards the top of the Langerodebos. HAving a good look at the GPS I saw the little white arrow just in time to take the right one of the 3 purple lines. Down the Tomme again and then into Gastuche for a little trip into Brabant Walloon and the Dyle valley. Some nice backtracks lead me towards Archennes where another nasty climb was awaiting me. Climbing up to La Malaise the track now veered towards Bossut. Down the singletrack towards the Grand Royal and bedore long I was at the hollow road descent we call the Lianenklim. Stones and steps kept me concentrated until I was at the bottom and then looped back up along a parallel track to complete this very fine little loop. I can imagine some flat tyres and possibly people falling off during the descent of the Lianenklim. It is a nasty one but at least today it was dry and without mud.
Another big challenge awaited a couple of K further down the track. A very difficult climb in a hollow road littered with stones and ruts. One foot to the ground was all I had to sacrifice during this very intense and technical climb. Great stuff. Down into Nethen and I was back at the Savenel from where it was only a short stretch to where I had entered the Ottenburg loop.
Riding back home along the Denteneerspad I was very satisfied with my ride today. Pity I missed a little stretch around Wavre but looking at the overall distance and heightmeters I did not miss out on too much. Next time.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 65K and 945/1015 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 4h04mins

11801/102240

From Beauvechain I took a left turn again and then followed the long cobbled road into Bierbeek. Passing the Vuilenbos and at the Lindenboom I took a left turn and followed the Geldenaaksebaan until I reached the Expressweg. Left turn again for the last stretch into Blanden. A good ride with low heartrate and in warm circumstances. With an average temperature of 13 degrees C during the ride.
 
Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 43K and 240/285 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h58mins

11736/101225

Around 1PM the sun came bursting though the low cloud cover and the area brightened up considerably. The wealth of autumn colors now shone in full splendour in the rays of the sun. For the first time today I felt a little warmth instead of the dry southeasterly wind. Arriving back at the Hallerbos for the last stretch of this impressive track we could enjoy a myriad of leaves on the forest floor, hiding sometimes dangerous adversaries, like roots, stones, gullies, mud patches and more of the kind. But we came through without any trouble.

With a little less than 80K on our counters we started on the way back towards the Sonian Forest and beyond. Arriving at the edge I paused to make a picture of the 2 Stooges. They have been moved and have received new heads and limbs. Picture proves it.

I decided to ride back along a slightly different way so we rode to the edge of Tervuren and then through Duisburg and towards Leefdaal. Johan had a flat front tyre and I paused while he fixed it like a pro. A big injection of Co2 into a new inner tyre and we were quickly on our way again for the last stretches towards Heverleebos and ultimately Meerdael Forest.

Arriving in Korbeek Dyle and riding towards Oud-Heverlee the Korbeekdamstraat was painful to the legs. Into Heverleebos and Vaalbeek where we split up. Johan was close to home and I only had a little stretch to ride along the edge of Meerdael Forest before I arrived home myself. A very tough and long but also satisfying ride. With an average temperature of 8 degrees C the forecast 12 degrees were never reached. But it was dry so I did not complain about the weather. On the contrary, we should consider ourselves very lucky to have such conditions in mid-november.
I noticed I crossed the 100.000 heightmeter mark during this ride. Which means I reached one of my goals for biking already this year. The other one being the 12.000km mark.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 112K and 1370/1480 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 6h09mins

11693/100940