After watching Jaroslav Kuhlavy take the Olympic Gold in the XC mountainbike race in Hadleigh Park, I rode out for a medium-length ride myself. I wanted to check out the church of Neerheylissem so I again took the road through  Meldert and Hoegaarden, Outgaerden and Goetsenhoven - where I had to wait for a local cycling event to pass - and then to Meer where I took a right to reach the Brabant Walloon region and the Helecine village. Arriving in Neerheylissem I stopped near the church for a couple of pictures of this 12th century monumental building..

On towards Opheylissem where I had another appointment, this time with the old abbey which was turned into a Provincial protected building. Only a couple of buildings remain from the original abbey but they have been beautifully restored. The place is now very popular with tourists.

From Helecine I set towards Jodoigne on the N222 which took me with good speed through Pietrain and into Jodoigne. On towards Dongelberg and crossing the N91 into Incourt and on to Longueville. The sun was out in full splendour and even though I left at 4PM it was still strong and warm. Down to Grez where I took the direction to Hamme Mille along the N25. From Hamme Mille I finished my right with my usual loop through Beauvechain, Opvelp, Bierbeek and Haasrode. The wind was not as strong as yesterday and it looked to have shifted towards the southwest. With an average temperature of 28 degrees this was a very pleasant ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 78.5K and 535 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h46mins

7469/67770

12-08-2012, 21:05 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

After watching French chica Julie Bresset take the Olympic Gold in the Womens' XC Mountainbike race in London, I strode with my Vortex on the roads. Following a track I found on the WWW I set out towards Meldert and Hoegaarden. Passing Outgaerden and Goetsenhoven I turned towards Helecine past Meer. Neerheylissem and Opheylissem passed - have to stop one time and take a picture of the marvelous old church in Neerheylissem - and I rode onwards to reach Linsmeau - the easternmost point of my ride. The wind had been blowing in my face up to here - a strong breeze from the southeast - but now I turned towards the southwest and things went more smoothly. Reaching the N240 just before Enines and turning right towards Jodoigne. Not for long since the track mad a loop towards Pietrain before taking the direction of Jodoigne again, this time following the N222. In Jodoigne I left the track for a detour towards Dongelberg to check if the castle was accessible. Nope, no luck. Onwards to reach the N91 which I followed towards Pietrebais. Here I turned to the right to pick up on the trail again crossing the N240 and riding into La Bruyere. On well-known roads here as I passed Beauvechain, Tourinnes, Nethen and Sint Joris Weert. The last loop took me to the Sint Jansberg steenweg in Neerijse, following that until I reached Korbeek Dyle. Here the track took a right turn again and set for the Zoete Waters. Passing though Vaalbeek I reached Blanden with a good distance behind me. The weather was splendid with temperatures around 26 degrees C and bright sunshine. The steady breeze from the southeast kept it from becoming too warm.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 91.5K and 620 heightmeters (Garmin) in 3h16mins

7390/67235

11-08-2012, 19:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather was fine this evening so I took out for a ride. Starting out towards Korbeek Dyle where I took the Sint Jansbergsteenweg through Neerijse and Huldenberg towards Overijse. Here I took a right towards Hoeilaart. I stopped chez Filip Sport to have him take a look at my rear derailleur. The chain is making a lot of noise on the cassette in the lower gears. Filip fiddled a little but the sound did not go away. I rode on and climbed up to Maleizen and then set sail towards Terlanen. Right to Wavre and then to Ottenburg whence I descended into Florival. Through Pecrot and then up the Rue de Pecrot on the 15% slope to reach Nethen. Sint Joris Weert and the Zoete Waters and then onwards to Oud-Heverlee. I decided to add another loop so set towards Heverlee and then up to the Industriepark. Following the Expressweg brought me to Blanden with a nice average for what turned out to be a hilly ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 69K and 505 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h24mins

7299/66615

10-08-2012, 21:24 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Today saw the return of clement weather. When I got home from work I grabbed my Vortex and set forth towards the Leuvense vaart. Riding through Leuven was a bit hairy but went well and once I was next to the water things settled down quickly in a good rhythm. The wind was blowing against me but it was not too strong and I quickly covered the 34K distance to Mechelen. Turning next to the Coloma I rode back towards Leuven. Making good speed now and my average went up towards 30kph. I did close to 35kph on some sections. I had a biker in my wheel most of the time. He never took over but I didn't actually mind. I was training and he was cheating his average. When I arrived next to Leuven again I took the east side and rode over de Kop of Kessel Lo back to the Tiensesteenweg. From the Mol I followed the Expresweg back into Blanden. Good solid tempo training in mild weather. Around 24 degrees C on average.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 69K and 165 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h17mins

7230/66110

09-08-2012, 21:10 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

The weather didn't look too stable and after a days' rest I wanted to ease my legs back into cycling by doing some controlled laps. So I rode towards the Haasrode Industrieterrein for a couple of 2.3K laps. It was rather busy with people leaving from work but except for one a$$hole who suddenly braked whilst riding in front of me - just for the fun of it - I didn't have any trouble with the cars . I rode the laps at a good speed but didn't pull through on the climb. After an hours worth I rode back home. When I arrived it started to drizzle so I was very lucky to have hit a dry spell for training.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 34.5K and 230 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h17mins

7161/65945

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