Because of the uncertainty of the Sart ride I had decided to do the 50K Accro loop today. I asked Moster Blond if she would like to join me and together we set off around noon in the Centre of Grez Doiceau. The weather was cloudy and quite cold compared to the weeks before so we were well covered with long sleeves, windbreakers and 3/4th pants. During my ride to the start I already did my good deed for the day when I helped out a biker who had a flat. He had a spare tyre and a pump, but his pump did not work. So I lend him mine , having first put his inner and his outer tyre back on. Quite to his amazement I didn't need any tools for this. I am quite good a changing tyres without tire irons - something I learned during my competition days - it just takes a firm grip. This little intermezzo meant that I was only just in time at the rendez vous point. The Accro Bike loop is a ride I have been doing for some time now, both the 42K version - which used to be a chrono loop - and the slightly longer 52K version. MB had already done the 42K version when I guided her and other BigM members a few years ago. But today we would go for the bigger loop. This has a few extra climbs and descents and a longish tarmac section linking it to the 42K trails. The
Accro ride is a collection of small trails, steep uphills and sandy
and/or rocky downhills through the rural and green landscapes around
Grez-Doiceau, Chaumont Gistoux and Dion . Every now and then a little
tarmac section allows some recuperation. The 52K version has some 800
heightmeters in it, not bad for Brabant Walloon I would say. The trails were amazingly dry - except for a section where a spring creates a little stream following the trail for a few hundred meters. I thoroughly enjoyed the good conditions. At one point I had to do a little trail-exploring because a downhill section had been closed recently for all traffic. Luckily the first trail we tried was the good one. Some awesome gullies in it - which made MB scream - but I got the feeling during the ride that she became a lot stronger uphill and more confident in the downhills. Way to go MB.. ! I just have to say something about that nice Gary Fisher - Subaru team shirt MB wore today. She only uncovered it for the last 30 minutes of the ride, - having worn a windbreaker over it until then - but damn, that shirt looked good on you girl :wink: !
