The world looked like a dirty, smelly wet rag this morning. It was drizzling and there was a mild wind blowing from the southeast. It was warm though with an average temperature of 9 degrees C throughout the ride.
I rode off with the Hilset for this last ride of 2011. First I passed by the Caserne de Hemptinne in Heverlee, which saw the passing of the Fidea Classic cyclocross yesterday. The volunteers where still taking down the various paraphernalia of the event and the big tent was still there. Toi Toi toilets were being hoisted on a big truck. I checked out the vehicles on display at the Caserne entrance and obviously recognized them all, having done my military duties as a member of the 2nd Regiment Gidsen. The Leopard I was my workhorse. The Heverlee caserne is now home to the 1ste Jagers Te Paard.

From Heverlee I rode on passing Arenberg and Egenhoven on my way to Leefdaal, Vossem and Tervuren. Around the ponds of Tervuren with the drizzle being blown straight in my face by the wind. I paused for a watery picture of the Tervuren Museum.

From Tervuren I turned left and had the wind at my back for a - welcome - change. Through Eizer and into Huldenberg I rode. The middle ring on the Hilset has a dent in it , I need to have this looked at. The long climb out of Huldenberg was done on the small ring. To Sint Agatha Rode next and then passing Sint Joris Weert for a final loop through Nethen and Hamme Mille before arriving back in Blanden.

The past year has been a strange one. First there were medical troubles which kept me occupied in January and most of February. Cause was a kidney stone that took some time passing through and had to be removed chirurgically in the end and the subsequent recovery and loss of form.
Then I had me setup a road bike  - shock, horror - but his proved to be a great move because it not only allowed me to ride a bike through the summer but as it turned out I quite liked this bike and I got an amazing 8000K out of it between the months of May and September.
Downside is that the Merlin has not been used that much this year. Once the horseflies are around I do no longer desire to go offroad. The risk of being bitten is too high and wearing longsleeved shorts and long trousers is no fun in the warmer months. Next year I intend to take the Merlin to the Ardennes more often in the late spring and the early autumn. 
 
Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 54K and 460 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h35mins

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