Had a day off from work and it looked like a sunny day was in the making when I rode out around 9.20am. I wanted to do a long ride, and score some heightmeters, so I chose the O2 Bikers Grez Doiceau roadbook. Obviously not the original track but my version of it. To be exact, I have been honing and tuning this track throughout the years and this was the 5th version of it, aptly named "Julie 5".
Getting to the start in Grez already had me riding through Meerdael Forest and the fields of Bossut. Then dropping into Grez where I set off for this 56K loop that would net me close to a 1000 heightmeters. I looked up the track on my Garmin Edge 705, pressed navigate and I was underway.
The tracks were perfect and the succession of climbs and descents were slowly wearing me out, like they are supposed to do. At some places there had been a lot of forestry activity and I had to clamber over fallen trees on many occasions. The trail sometimes went straight through a field but don't worry, its there and it will stay there. It struck me how open everything still was; no nettles, no ferns, no high grasses, no leaves on the trees. Perfect for riding on the trails.

Stopping for a first snack high above Chaumont Gistoux, some 2 hours on the lap. From here, things were getting pretty hectic. Difficult climbs, technical and steep, followed by tricky descents, and then another climb having my grind my teeth and looking for the smallest gears. Welcome in Accro Bike country !
At the Chapelle du Cheneau, after a long climb, I decided to stop and have another little snack. I would need it for the remainder of the trail. I was getting tired and I know the track stays relentless until the very end.

I had a lot of time to think about a lot of things while I was riding. Near the end I began to feel the bumps more and more and I figured I might have taken the Moots YBB which has suspension in the rear as well. But its time will come during the summer months. The Litespeed Obed is light and agile and is a strong weapon in the hands of an able rider

Arriving back in Grez after a little more then 4 hours I was still not home. I needed to ride back to Meerdael Forest, this time I chose to ride to Archennes and climb out of that towards Bossut and Nethen. Arriving into Meerdael Forest near Les Claines and then making my way past the Warande pond towards the Prosperdreef which I would follow past the Dovo army barracks. I noticed a lot of beautiful little white flowers and couldn't resist taking a picture of them.

Arriving home with more than 80K and close to 1300 heightmeters I was feeling very satisfied with my ride. With an average temperature of 16 degrees C I could dream away whilst humming the Ramones tune 'California Sun' . I include a link to the GPS track. If you decide to ride it, remember it is a succession of climbs and really takes a lot out of you. I would also appreciate any feedback you might want to give.

Ride Stats : 83K and 1205/1285 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 5h10mins

753/8515