Another beautiful summer day in Belgium - not - because it was barely 15 degrees C and some light drizzle was falling, hurried along by a strong southwestern breeze when I left home . Riding along the Expressweg towards the Tiensesteenweg I had the wind in my back. Following the N3 all the way to the ring around Tienen and then taking a right turn towards Hoegaarden where I could for the first time during this ride enjoy a good strong headwind. Hurrying to get to the Ravel 2 and its relative shelter. Past Jodoigne and the clouds were more and more menacing. Some light rain was falling from time to time, but the wind dried it up as soon as it fell. Following the Ravel towards Perwez but cutting to the right on the N91. The wind was blowing from my left now and even though I could maintain a good speed along the N91, I had to take care because it blew with gusts and they could put me off-centre. Speeding along I quickly arrived in Hamme Mille where I took the same direction as the day before. Through Nethen, Sint Joris Weert and then a left turn at the Zoete Waters to arrive in Korbeek Dyle. Following the Sint Jansbergsteenweg into Egenhoven and then back over Arenberg and Heverlee. Along the Naamsesteenweg through Heverlee bos into Blanden. A good ride despite the weather conditions and I was glad I did not stay at home for the same reason.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 86K and 500 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h56mins

7471/36865

23-06-2013, 14:01 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Mmm, weather forecast calling for a strong southwester and some light rain or drizzle from the early afternoon. Started around 9.15AM to beat the rain but the wind beat me. I rode through Meldert towards Hoegaarden and there followed the Ravel 2. My original plan for today was to ride to Namur but with the wind blowing in my face on the Ravel - albeit there was some shelter from it provided by the shrubberies - and the amount of dark clouds parading the sometimes sunlit skies, I decided to change that plan.

On the split I took the Ravel towards Perwez. There I had to circumvene some local festivities but I quickly found a way towards Thorembais and Maleves-Sainte Marie-Wastines. The wind was blowing in my back now and I was speeding along , enjoying the breather. Passing Opprebais and riding towards Chaumont-Gistoux the wind was back in my face and I had to grit my teeth. Once past Chaumont on my way to Bonlez I was again driven along and before long I was crossing through Grez-Doiceau and on my way to Hamme Mille. From Hamme Mille to Nethen the wind was bothering me again but once turning right towards Sint Joris Weert I took advantage of shelter and made my way to the north. At the Zoete Waters I took a left turn towards Korbeek Dyle and the Sint Jansberg steenweg leading me into Egenhoven. Here I felt some raindrops but I was close to home with only a passage along Arenberg and through Heverleebos leading me into Blanden. A good ride despite the wind and the threathening skies.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 91K and 590 heightmeters (Garmin) in 03h04mins

7385/36365

22-06-2013, 13:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Warm but threatening skies when I left home on the Vortex around 7pm. With temperatures of around 25 degrees and a little breeze the conditions were excellent for some fast lap, not too far from home to be able to ride home if a thunderstorm should be approaching. Apart from some dark skies and a couple of big raindrops all was peachy though. But the thunderstorms will come, tonight ot tomorrow, the red and purple blotches on meteox.be are approaching.
I had very good legs today and the Haasrode Industrie tarmac was smooth rolling. The little climb went well and I had a best average lap of nearly 33.5kph. No surprise that my average on the 60K ride was more than 30kph.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 61K and 345 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h53mins

7394.5/35775

20-06-2013, 21:52 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

This evening I was home around 7.30 and it was still 32 degrees C when I rode out. There was only the slightest breeze blowing and even the tarmac felt sticky. My legs were good though and I decided to do some extended laps around the Haasrode Industriepark. Making it a good 8K in lenght when I was satisfied with the lap. Did a couple of them and managed to get the average speed up to around 30kph, even though there were a couple of faux-plats in it, sometimes going up to 4%. But the legs were good and I did a solid 2 hours ride, without really pushing things. With this temperature it is better not to push too hard. The hot bath afterwards was really hot and I just kept on sweating.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 60K and 355 heightmeters in 1h58mins

7234/35430

18-06-2013, 22:31 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf