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The weather had taken a turn since yesterday, with a strong wind blowing from the southwest and the temperature which was a couple of degrees warmer. I had an appointment with Johan H. to ride the O2 Bikers "Taalgrens" roadbook. I have done this a couple of times and it consists of a starting loop in Meerdael Forest, then moves towards Nethen and Bossut before crossing the N25 and making its way towards Pietrebais. It then moves on past Roux-Miroir , almost into Jodoigne before returning through the fields towards Beuavechain and ending into the Meerdael Forest again.
Since the wind was pretty fierce and the loops into the fields past Pietrebais are not very challenging, I had cut into the loop past Pietrebais, bringing us back north towards the Wahenge farm and from there we picked in on the loop again.
In the process we took some challenging tracks where I was grateful it hadn't rained for almost a month now. Past l'Ecluse the wind was blowing into our faces so I cut a couple of corners and brought us back straight into the sheltering arms of Meerdael Forest. I did a little loop incorporating my nightride parcours before making my way back to the roadbook trail for the last stretch over the Naamsesteenweg and into Vaalbeek. After the last climb up into the Heverleebos we returned passing the Haccourt castle and taking a couple of singletrails back into Vaalbeek. It had been a good ride, with the wind cutting deep into my reserves on the plains. I could feel my legs were still tired from yesterdays' ride and Johan had to wait several times because I chose to ride conservatively, saving my strength and energy. The last part of the ride saw some light drizzle falling from the skies which had been threatening all day.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 67K and 620/670 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h39mins
12278/107600
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