Today I had my mind set to ride towards the Sept Fontaines area in Dworp and do the 35K Hallerbos/Lembeekbos GPS track. The day announced itself quite sunny and warm so it was in good spirits that I rode towards the Sonian Forest, taking the easy route over Korbeek Dyle and Duisburg. There was a dry wind blowing from the south and I was glad to be encapsulated by the majestic trees of the forest. Riding straight through the Sonian to reach the Middenhut, from where it is only 7 or 8K to the Sept Fontaines.

I started at the field entry of the GR route and immediately it was wet and I had to take care not to slip and slide where I did not want to slip and slide. There seems to be water everywhere in this area - that is probably why it is called Sept Fontaines - and the long climb into the outskirts of Hallerbos was also along a very wet track. Then some tarmac and a long way up to reach the Hallerbos. I immediately noticed that the only flowers which were in bloom where the white forest anemones. Here and there I could already spot the blue hue of a bluebell but the great mass of them will probably bloom somewhere next week

The GPS track is a pretty good one, even though at some places the track and the road don't fall together. But it is pretty obvious which track you have to take. Into Braine Le Chateau and the track guides me through narrow Pistes Cyclistes . Some of them very steep, and always meandering up and down. Crossing a busy road and then I reach the Lembeekbos where I can relax during a long downhill through this forest. But what goes down must come up again and indeed, before long I am grinding teeth and struggling on my lowest gearing to make the grade. Nice track and I am through Lembeek forest , taking a break to eat something.

The temperature has risen to an ungodly 21 degrees and my water is almost out. Before long I cross the busy road again and now follows another piece of Hallerbos, always going up and down through its many vales. Lots of white flowers left and right from the track but no bluebells yet. A Japanese couple halts me and we talk a little. They want to know if this is the famous blue forest and I tell them that this is indeed the place but that they should come back next weekend for the bluebells. They are very enthusiastic and very friendly as we part our ways. I still have about 40K to go and from Dworp I make my way back to the Sonian Forest. A little stop at the 2 Stooges before I enter the forest.

At Duisburg I can score a Cola from a shop and I guzzle it down, its coolness and sugar give me a much needed rush to complete that last 20K of my ride. I am pleased with the overall average but I felt pretty tired at some places. Perhaps a lack of hydration? I did eat 2 Isostar bars, and stupidly lost another one out of my backpack side pocket somewhere on the track !
Now its time to recuperate . The muscles felt tight and strong today but like I said , also some tiredness possibly due to the warmth and the lack of drinking.

Ride Stats : 115.5K and 1195/1390 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 6h8mins30secs

1085/12110