Temperatures are back in normal regions, and the wind is also back. I wanted to do an easy ride today so I started out towards Heverlee and Egenhoven, then following the Sint Jansberg steenweg all the way to Overijse . Climbing up towards Maleizen and then taking a left towards Rosieres and then dropping into Bierges. Climbing out of the Lasne valley and before long I was riding into the Dyle valley in Wavre. Long climb out of that one and following the Chaussee de Huy for a while until I took another left taking me into Dion-Le-Val.
A sharp right and I was on the steep climb up to the Golf de Bercuit. 14% and even a bit more at places. Down into Grez-Doiceau and then riding towards Hamme Mille along the N25. Fromm Hamme Mille I took my normal finishing loop over Nethen, Sint Joris Weert, the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek into Blanden. Had a good relaxing ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 67.5K and 565 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h28mins

6702/62835

29-07-2012, 13:30 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another hot day forecast so I started out early to beat the heat. Or at least tried to, because it heated up pretty fast when I started out towards Hoegaarden . Riding onwards along Outgaarden, Goetsenhoven, Ezemaal and Neerwinden I caught up on the Lf6 just before Neerhespen. Following that bikepath until I came to the N80 just before Kerkom bij Sint Truiden. I could have gone further but the heat was getting to me and I still needed to ride all the way back. Turning around and the wind  - the little wind there was - was blowing in my face which cooled me down just enough to make the heat more comfortable. Riding back following the Lf6 this time over Velm, Neerwinden , Ezemaal and then just before Goetsenhoven taking a detour along the N64 and then taking a right towards Outgaarden. From Hoegaarden I took my usual way back home riding through Oorbeek, Kumtich, Willebringen, Opvelp and Bremt towards the Haasrode Industrie terrain. I was glad to be on the Expressway and close to Blanden after almost 4 hours with an average outside temperature of 30 degrees C. My effort was in the recovery regions because I noticed my average heartrate was only 107 bpm throughout this ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 102.5K and 685 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h55mins

6635/62270

27-07-2012, 14:31 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Got an early start today because the forecast called for hot weather. Making my way to Hoegaarden over Bierbeek, Opvelp and Meldert and after some 19K I was on the ravel 2 which connects Hoegaarden with Namur. Riding though Jodoigne and Eghezee and then dropping into the valley to reach Saint Marc  and Saint Servais. 56.5K and around 2 hours out. Turning around an facing the 7K long climb back to get out of the Meuse valley. The wind was blowing slightly against me but with the sun gaining force the little breeze was very welcome. Back through Eghezee and Jodoigne to reach Hoegaarden. Riding back I took another loop, first riding up to the Goudberg geosite and then into Oorbeek and up to Kumtich. From Kumtich the wind was blowing in my favor when I rode to Willebringen and Neervelp. Up to the Bierbeek globe and then back home following the Expressweg from Haasrode Industrie. A nice long ride with a minimum of effort, judging on the average heartrate of 112bpm, and due to the fact that I was home around 12.30 I also had a manageable 26 degrees average temperature during this ride. The long stretches of shrubberies next to the Ravel offer good protection against the sun and the wind if need be.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 119K and 620 heightmeters (Garmin) in 4h17mins

6532/61585

26-07-2012, 14:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

My first idea for today was to take a days' rest but when I saw another beautiful sunny day developing I could not resist riding out. I took it easy and focussed on low gears and active recovery for the legs. A quick dash around incorporating Bierbeek, Meldert, La Bruyere, Pietrebais and then taking a right towards Nodebais and onwards to Beauvechain. Some F16 were doing calisthenics in the air above the 1st Wing Airforce base and their booming noises accompanied me past Opvelp and to Bierbeek. From Bierbeek I rode towards the Haasrode Industrie Terrain for a loop and then I set forth to Heverlee Park to return from Heverlee to Blanden along the Naamsesteenweg. The sun made it hot out there but there was also a slight breeze from what seemed to be north-northeasterly directions.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 52K and 330 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h56mins

6413/60965

25-07-2012, 14:58 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Another bright and sunny day and I rode out for an easy recovery ride. Riding towards Bonlez over Sint Joris Weert, Nethen, Pecrot, Archennes and Grez-Doiceau. In Bonlez I took a stretch of the Ottinoise towards Ottignies but just before entering Mont-Saint-Guibert I took a 180 degree turn and rode back towards Chaumont Gistoux. The hilly terrain here pushed me into the lower gears and since I did not want to put too much pressure on my legs the average speed was a mild 25kph so far. Into and out of Longueville and I set towards Incourt and Dongelberg. Came upon Roger L. and Johan H. who were also doing a road ride and we stopped a while to catch up on the latest goings-on. Onwards past Dongelberg towards Jodoigne were I took the Ravel 2 towards Hoegaarden. I followed the Ravel on the other side of the Stationstraat until I reached Bost where I had to search a bit to find my way back to Hoegaarden. Riding up to the Marollenkapel in Sint Katharina Houtem I took a break overlooking the sun-drenched landscapes.

Riding onwards to Oorbeek, Kumtich  and Willebringen , past Neervelp and towards Bremt where I climbed towards the Bierbeek water tower. Fast downhill into Bierbeek  whence I rode towards the Haasrode Industrie Park where I did a couple of laps before finishing with a stretch along the Expressweg into Blanden, getting a nice 100K with an average heartrate of only 113bpm, well into recovery ranges.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 101K and 745 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h52mins

6361/60635

24-07-2012, 15:02 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Even though I begin to feel the fatigue setting in from the past week, the good weather drew me out for a long ride. Since I did not want to stress my body too much I opted for a fairly flat ride, first riding towards the Leuvense Vaart and then following this body of water until past Mechelen, where a short intermediate stretch brought me to the Zennegat where I followed  the river Zenne until I came to Boom. Here I took a little break, to photograph the US Sherman tank, which was obviously being prepared for a new coat of paint.

Turning around I managed to catch another cyclist and together we rode a couple of kilometers in the direction of Heffen, alternating the lead. He took the bridge so I was alone and I rode back along the same way whence I had come. Riding past Battel and Mechelen, the Leuvense Vaart led me straight towards Leuven. Around Kampenhout I was overtaken by another cyclist. I took his wheel and again I could alternate the lead . We made good speed until he took a left and I was alone again. Passing through Kessel Lo and taking the Tiensesteenweg until I took a right turn on the Expressweg . I rode a couple of laps in the Industrieterrain of Haasrode to make sure I would make the 100K mark today. The weather was splendid with temperatures around 25 degrees C and a mild wind from westerly directions.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 102K and 220 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h30mins

6259/59890

23-07-2012, 14:29 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf