Felt Ok when waking up this morning so I decided to ride out and do some active recovery. Starting out over Egenhoven and taking the Sint Jansberg Steenweg to Overijse and then riding up to Maleizen I liked the feeling in my legs. So I settled for a bigger ride, making my way towards Rosieres and then up and down into Bierges. Passing through Wavre for a long climb to the Chaussee de Huy. Left to Dion and then up to the Golf de Bercuit, where I managed to beat my fastest time. Not bad after yesterdays' ride. Down into Grez and then along the N25 to Hamme Mille. Yet another extra loop brough me to Nodebais, whence I rode on to Beauvechain. Here I took a right turn and then left to Meldert. Onwards to Oorbeek and then left to Hoksem. The climb out of Hoksem to Kumtich was also good for a personal record. Double right in Kumtich and I was on my way to Willebringen. Through Neervelp and up towards the Bierbeek water tower. Taking a right and then a left to follow the tarmac road parallel to the E40. Into the Haasrode Industrie for a big lap and then back to Blanden along the Expressway. I was surprised to see the distance when I got home. That makes 227.5K for this weekend.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 93.5K and 760 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h18mins

7121/67715

05-08-2012, 14:39 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today the weather was fine, around 20 degrees C when I rode out and the wind was moderate. Some cloud cover but the sun burst through enough to make me apply some sunscreen before heading out for what would turn out to be a 5 hour ride. I set out on the Lf6a - Vlaanderen Fietsroute , following this all the way to Heks, deep in the province of Limburg. Riding east I could feel the wind blowing in my advantage and I also felt it getting stronger. This promised some difficulty on the return trip. Passing Velm and entering Kerkom, this marked the furthest point I ever ventured on the Lf6a. The landscape once past Velm was ondulating more and more . Lots of apple and pear trees, the roads were mostly smaller tarmac affairs which rolled well. From time to time I passed a little forest or collection of trees and shrubberies . I was depending on the Lf6a signage and - of course - I also had the GPS track as a backup. Passing through Aalst, Brustem and then passing little villages with cute names like Velshoven, Helschoven, Gutshoven I ventured further and further towards the east. Passing Broekhoven I saw that I was entering the village of Heks, my furthest point for today. Looking on my Edge 705 I noticed I was 65K from home. Stopping for a little snack and to take some pictures of the little Heks' church.

Riding back towards Brustem I had to climb up some hills which proved quite difficult with the wind now blowing strongly in my face. Good thing the track zigzagged from time to time but most of the time I was facing the wind. The sun provided me with warmth and the strong wind made me thirsty. Once back in Velm I was counting back the kilometers and the villages that passed brought me closer and closer to home. This was turning out to be my longest road bike ride - ever. With 134km and just under 5 hours it was quite a ride. I felt OK but I was glad to be home. Especially the wind was my strongest adversary today. Good thing the forecast rain showers never appeared. Good solid ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 134K and 905 heightmeters (Garmin) in 4h57mins

7028/64955

04-08-2012, 17:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

When I got home from work it looked to be like perfect weather for a ride. I took the Vortex and set out on what I hoped to be a fast and relaxing ride. Starting following the "Haasrode Toer" over the Haasrode Industrie, into Bierbeek and then towards Bremt. The wind was blowing noticeably from the west-southwest and I was already thinking that the second part of the ride might prove difficult because of that. Onwards to Neervelp and then over the crest into Willebringen. From Willebringen the track took me to Kumtich and Oorbeek, and then over the Goudberg geosite into Hoegaarden. Turning back I took the long climb out of Hoegaarden along a small tarmac road, well protected from the wind. When I reached the road leading to Meldert I braced myself but the wind seemed to be less strong than before. The sun was out and I sped towards Meldert. From Meldert I rode towards La Bruyere where I took a right turn towards Beauvechain and ultimately Opvelp. Here I went to the left and before long I was back in Bierbeek. Making my way to the Haasrode Industrie terrain for a quick loop before following the Expressweg into Blanden. Legs felt strong and I was not surprised to see that my average speed was more than 29kph, whilst my average heartrate was only a modest 119bpm.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 53K and 355 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h48mins

6894/64050

02-08-2012, 19:49 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Busy shedule today so I rode out early in the morning. The sun was out and I could enjoy temperatures around 25 degrees C on average accompanied by a mild southern wind. I rode out for what I like to call a Middle Lap, a medium distance lap. Over Bierbeek to Meldert and then turning right towards La Bruyere. Riding up to the N240 and then switching to the N91 past Nodebais and into Hamme Mille. A left here and the loop was closed over Nethen, Sint Joris Weert, the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek. Nice relaxed ride with a good tempo.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 45K and 255 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h33mins

6841/63695

01-08-2012, 11:47 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Last ride of the month July and I wanted to get over the 1800K mark so I set out for a longish ride. Starting out over the Zoete Waters, Sint Joris Weert and Nethen I made my way up and down into Pecrot. Onwards to Florival and Archennes where I suffered the terrible state of the road until I came in Grez where things brightened up. The weather was overcast but dry and rather warm with an average temperature of 23 degrees C. I chose to wear a longsleeved jersey, not being sure if it would stay dry. From Grez I climbed past Biez and Heze to Longueville. Past Longueville I turned left to reach Roux-Miroir. A short stretch on the N91 and then to the right at the ferme de Happeau for a stretch of narrow backroads. Back on the N91 and then taking a right turn to reach the road to La Bruyere. Taking the long way to Beauvechain and then up and down to Opvelp. Here I took a left turn towards Bierbeek. On to the Haasrode Industrie terrain and then to the Expressweg which took me nicely back to Blanden.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 61K and 390 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h07mins

6796/63440

31-07-2012, 20:33 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

First day back at work today, so I did not feel like doing much too much when I got home. There was a good breeze blowing from the west and it looked like it would rain . I settled on a little lap, just stretching the legs and trying to keep the chain on the big ring. This went surprisingly well, despite the wind trying to stop me when I rode on the long climb out of Opvelp towards Beauvechain. The sun came out and I soon regretted putting on a shirt with long sleeves. But a little later the sun was hiding behind clouds again and the temperature dropped a couple of degrees, made worse by the cool breeze. The lap was my standard little lap, starting over Haasrode and Bierbeek, then Opvelp, Beauvechain and Hamme Mille and closing up through Nethen, Sint Joris Weert and the Zoete Waters and Vaalbeek.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 33K and 215 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h10mins

6735/63050

30-07-2012, 19:54 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf