The weather took a turn for the worse yesterday and last night. Not only has it been raining - light rain but rain nevertheless - but also the temperature has been dropping into the single digit zone. I waited for  noon to pass before riding out . Into the forest looked like a good idea and I set out on my Mollendaal trails. With a couple of extra loops because I felt like doing them. The trails were moist but not overly so. The cold weather forced me into an extra layer of clothing. 8 degrees C in May, not exactly what one would anticipate this time of the year.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 33K and 405 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h51mins

3238/32870

06-05-2012, 16:04 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The forecast rain did not materialize so when I got home from work early in the afternoon I decided to take advantage of the sun and dry weather to do another easy road ride. There was some wind and I overdressed but I did enjoy my ride. Starting through the Weertse Dreef and then riding through Nethen, Hamme Mille and towards the Beauvechain Airbase. La Bruyere and Meldert where I took a left towards Bierbeek. Checking out some cul-de-sac in Bierbeek which took me to Korbeek Lo so I had to ride back towards Bierbeek and then taking a right into Haasrode and onwards to Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 49K and 325 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h06mins

3205/32465

04-05-2012, 18:19 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Yesterday saw a real downpour so I was not eager to go offroad this afternoon. Instead I chose for an easy recovery ride along the roads of Heverlee, Bertem, Leefdaal, Korbeek Dyle and from the Zoete Waters another loop towards Sint Joris Weert, Nethen and Hamme Mille. The legs felt OK and appreciated the day off in intensity. I did manage a good average speed nevertheless. The clouds were overcast and there was a mild breeze blowing from the west. But it stayed dry and with temperatures of around 13 degrees C it wasn't really cold either.
But considering we are May it is time for temperatures of 20 degrees and more. The forecast however does look grim for the remainder of the week and even the weekend does look like rainy and cold.
On another note I started preparing my Litespeed Vortex for the summer. I changed the Continental Attack & Force tyres from the old Campagnolo Neutron wheels to my new Stans 340 / Sapim CX Ray / Chris King R45 ceramic wheels. Putting some pressure in the tyres, as well as the tubes on the Campagnolo Hyperon 2 set, and if the sun comes out I will venture out for some mise-en-jambe on the roadbike soon.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 40K and 320 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h44mins

3157/32140

03-05-2012, 19:40 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today was supposed to be a resting day but when I saw the sun come out and the temperature rose towards 20 degrees C I could not resist taking the BBW out for a road ride. At least that way the intensity would not be too high. Starting out over Hamme Mille and riding towards Lathuy I reached Dongelberg. No access to the castle grounds so I rode on, taking the N91 towards Eghezee. In Geest-Gerompont-Petit-Rosiere , at the intersection with the Ravel coming from Perwez I took a left turn on that Ravel and a little bit further left again on the Ravel 2.
Downhill now until I reached Jodoigne. Further on to Hoegaarden and then I picked up on the arrows marked KLS. Not knowing wat they were I started following them into Meldert. Here I caught up with a couple on road cycles and the woman told me they were on the Haasrode-Huy-Haasrode organised ride. 155K from Haasrode to Huy, and back. A track I would welcome to have, this looks like a fine challenge for a long road ride. We rode together through Opvelp, Bierbeek and then towards Haasrode were our roads parted. 
Had a good ride, the up-pace at the end was a welcome challenge and my average was not bad, considering I was riding a mountainbike. The weather was fine and the little wind that was blowing did not bother me much.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 67K and 425 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h46mins

3117/31820

01-05-2012, 16:28 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Warm weather this evening so when I got home from work I took the Hilset BBW and ventured into Mollendaal Forest for a quick dash around my winter trail. Adding a climb I normally would not do but since it looked already well dried-out - mainly due to the hight temperatures of yesterday afternoon and today - I took the risk and it turned out OK. The weather felt heavy and it might turn into a thunderstorm later tonight.
But for now I enjoyed good trails and heavy legs. It looks like I need to rest a day to allow my body to recuperate fully.
I was surprised I still was close to a 20kph average. It didn't feel that quick. Stopped once to take a picture of what looks to be a frowning tree. There are a couple of them to be found high in the forest, close to the Mollendaal rift.

Dropping into said rift and climbing out again I arrived near the Bremberg for a last loop alaong Blanden cemetery and back into the forest.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 28K and 365 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h29mins

3048/31395

30-04-2012, 20:08 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf