Almost 17 degrees C today. The plan was to ride the Base Loop of the 2011 Haasrode TT again, hopefully this time I would be a little faster and also would be able to get my heartrate down. Locker fahren, as the Germans would say. So I concentrated on that, trying to ride easily and let the bike do the work. The loop was very agreeable, I didn't have to hesitate because I only rode it last week so I knew it by heart. I made all the climbs, even the very steep one in Gottechain. I was very proud about that, since it really is a difficult climb with a little but of mushe ground down below which makes it difficult to get any speed for the really steep part. But I made it and a little further I could also enjoy the technical passage with ruts and slippery grounds in Gottechain before looping back to the village.

The wind was blowing from the East . In the fields of Hamme Mille I had the wind in my back today, which was an advantage I had as opposed to last week. My average heartrate was down 16 beats compared to last tuesday (125 against 141bpm) and I was 15 minutes faster around the loop. So I am feeling a little optimistic about my form returning slowly but surely. I need to slow down now so as to not overdo it. But today I had a great and very fullfilling ride. Nice weather, good feeling in the legs and great trails.

Ride Stats : 38K and 425/460 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h11mins

471/4670