Today was election day and after doing our duty I was restless to ride out. The sun was shining and the forecast for the next couple of days wasn't very good. So after pushing the thought around for a bit I rode the Vortex out. First toward Bierbeek and Neervelp and onwards to Willebringen, Hauthem and Hoegaarden. Here I injected myself on the Ravel 2. I felt quite good despite yesterdays' ride so I could maintain a good average as I followed the Ravel slowly upwards through Jodoigne and then onwards in the direction of Eghezee. I cut to ride in Hottomont and stopped for a couple of pictures before riding onwards to the N91.

On the N91 I could make good speed, with the wind - the little there was today - half in my back. In Hamme Mille I was bothered by a Vito driver who began pushing me to the side of the road with his car, yelling and calling me names . Shouting that I should ride on the bike path instead of on the road. I joined the bikepath as soon as I could but he kept harassing me verbally until halfway up the hill . I wished him dead, kept my mouth shut and continued my way.
Just a short stretch to go now. On top of the hill I rode back on the road - the bikepath is a mess up there - but I did not see my friend anymore.
Undisturbed by other car drivers who probably understood why I was riding on the road instead of on the dump they call a bikepath here, I joined the super bikepath on the Naamsesteenweg leading all the way into Blanden. Had a good ride except for the moment with the idiot, which upped my testosteron quite a bit. But I decided to let it go, he does not deserve my attention or thoughts. This was my longest ride this year so far.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 71.5K and 460 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h26mins

2898/8110

25-05-2014, 14:13 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Despite the forecast for thunderstorms and rain there was not a cloud in sight when I rode off for a ride with the Vortex. I decided to stay close to home nevertheless so I rode towards the Haasrode Industrie Park for a couple of laps around the compound. The wind was blowing quite strong an after 2 small laps I decided to go for the slightly longer Lindenboom lap. This is some 8.1K and comprises a couple of ascents . The wind was really nasty only on two particular sections of a couple of 100 meters but for the rest it was not bothering me too much. The legs were slow to warm up but after a while they were fine. I moved the Arione saddle up 0.5cm and this felt a little better. After 6 big laps I decided to call it a day and ended up with a normal lap of 2.3K. On the way back to Blanden along the Expressweg I had to fight the wind which made this a very tough section near the end of the ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 62K and 385 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h07mins

2827/7650

24-05-2014, 12:43 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

I took a day off from work today - my first this year - and when the sun came out I decided to try the Vortex on a longer ride. First riding along Meldert and Hoegaarden towards the Ravel2 , I started following that past Jodoigne up to the point where it forks towards Perwez. I stopped to take a little picture of my bike through the window of a bus stop shelter in Hedenge . Following the fork towards Perwez I arrived in Ramillies. Up to now, the wind had been blowing against me. I was sheltered from it most of the time when on the Ravel but I was nevertheless very glad when I turned towards the northwest on the N91 and I noticed the strong push in my back. Good for the legs, good for the average speed.

I flew through Dongelberg and past Pietrebais and before long I was already in Hamme Mille. The legs felt good and also my lower back seemed to be at peace with this ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 62K and 385 heightmeters (Garmin) in 02h10mins

2765/7265

22-05-2014, 12:51 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf

Hot fot the time of the year with around 27 degrees C when I rode out on the Vortex for a series of laps on and around the Haasrode Industrie terrain. Still testing the F:izik Arione saddle and so far all is well. I did 50K today, which was the longest distance on the Vortex this year. I made sure to concentrate on riding without using too much force on the pedals, instead concentrating on smooth and fast pedalling. The laps went well, near the end the skies became menacing but I managed to keep it a dry ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 51K and 295 heightmeters (Garmin) in 01h46mins

2703/6880

20-05-2014, 20:56 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf