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The weather is staying extremely good for the time of the year. 26 degrees C today and a little breeze from the southeast. Ideal for a long road ride so I set out with the Vortex towards Meldert and Hoegaarden. Onto the Ravel 2 and riding through Jodoigne and Eghezee. I stopped just past Longchamps to set my GPS to follow a track I got from "Mousty" - a biker-ess from Blanden - that would lead me to Marche-Les-Dames. The sun was gaining strength as I set forth and left the cosy and safe haven of the Ravel to ride into the great unknown. The track lead me past Leuze and Marchovelette towards Gelbressee. Ondulating up and down before slowly going downwards into Marche-Les-Dames, near the borders of the river Meuse. I felt like this was an Ardennes ride - almost and I realized that this must be the furthest point I have been with this bike from my home - ever, until now.
I stopped to take some pictures of the military base - Commando Time - and the exposed rocks where the Belgian Army trains its special forces.
Riding along the borders of the river Meuse towards Nameche where I had to leave the valley to return to Eghezee . A 10% hill for more than a kilometer. Ouch! I was back on the plateau after having gained some 140 heightmeters and now moving towards the North again I rode through Franc-Waret and Fernelmont before reaching Eghezee again. A nice little loop, thanks to Mousty.
From Eghezee I followed the Ravel 2 again towards Jodoigne and Hoegaarden. It was getting rather hot now and my legs started to feel the strain of the kilometers passing. But I was close to home. Meldert, Bierbeek, Haasrode and then Blanden. A good solid ride and thanks to the weather without any worries about rain, wind or cold.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 122,5K and 780/820 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 4h41mins
10668/89352
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