Today the temperatures were picking up and it was 11 degrees C when I rode out with the Litespeed to do an offroad ride. It has been a while again since I last saw a bike, this time the culprit was a cold that had me in shivers for more than a week.
I decided to try the base loop of the Haasrode MTB organised ride. They have changed the loop considerably and promised me 'some trails you might never have ridden before'. Yeah right, as if.
But they were right, there were 2 trails that were completely new for me. One in Gottechain where they changed the loop to go downtown and then go back up through a very narrow track straight up the slope. From the moment I saw the climb I knew I was not going to make it. My body is still recuperating and my heartrate was already much higher than I want it to be. So I declined myself to walk instead of ride it. But I will have my revenge soon.

I was being watched by a herd of what looked to be mouflon sheep. They were curious but they did not want to come too close. Took a picture before I attacked the hill. As said, on foot.

The loop then incorporates another new section, very tricky and with deep ruts which were just ride-able. There was not much mud but I can imagine a lot of walking here when it has rained. Back towards Gottechain and then crossing to Bossut. Here another newly-found track moved me between houses and gardens. The track then leads towards Nethen and into Meerdael forest .
Closing the loop I had nearly 40K which was more than enough for a first outing. I was not surprised to see almost 500 heightmeters on my Garmin. I think I will do this track again and I can recommend the Haasrode organised ride, it should take place around August the 15th.
With an average heartrate of 141 I still have some way to go back to becoming fit. But I hope a first step has been taking. I will have to wait how my body reacts to the stress put upon it. Tomorrow I have another appointment with the kine for my shoulder. It behaved quite well today but towards the end of the ride it began to bother me. So all is not well in that department. Stretching needs to be done and the stretches are long and deep.

Ride Stats : 39K and 450/490 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h24mins

306/2775