Big Bad Log

I've already done quite a bit of [mountain]biking this year - and some wonderful trails as well I might add - but today was my first organised ride of 2007. Wavre is some 20k away from my home so instead of adding to the global warming I took my bike over there, which added to my global warmup .
Upon arriving I left my bike at the guarded bike-park - I was the only one in the lot, but then again, most folks arrive in groups and can leave one of them to guard the bikes, a luxury I don't have - and the mademoiselle gave me a card with a number (8) corresponding to a numbered card she attached to my bike. I normally won't let people touch my bikes but I gladly make exceptions for pretty mademoisselles..
Oh, right, there were a few people I was supposed to meet at the start but some of them had already set off, and another one was going to do the 25K with her boyfriend (who is badly out of shape ) and told me I shouldn't wait for her.
So I didn't. I went to the inscription, ticked the 65K distance on the form - there were also 15, 25, 35 and 50K distances on offer - forked over 4 Euro to another mademoisselle , got my bike back from the bike-park - merci ma belle - and I was on my way. Oh wait, first I needed to attach a little card with the emergency numbers to my bike. Good thing these cards , you never know whats going to happen.

The Ride:
The first few K were meandering through the city but then we got into a park where the first offroad stretch was greeting my 1.8 Schwalbe "Nobby Nic" tyres. I chose these because of the heavy rainfall we had last friday. I would normally not consider such narrow tyres on a ride this long and I have to say, near the end my back was protesting the lack of comfort they offered . But considering the condition of the track, the choice proved to be a wise one. The trails were rather dry to start with. The loop went more or less anti-clockwise around Wavre. First we went toward Chaumont Gistoux and Grez-Doiceau, where a lot of the trails were very familiar to me. But still the trailbuilders managed to find some nice solutions to include some seldom used singletrails. I particularly enjoyed the trail next to the river Train, until the trail changed into a big mudhole that was. Foot on the ground and a few quick jumps brought me through the worse of it, back on the bike and the Nobby Nics found some grip to get me out of there - fast. The arrowing was rather sparse but more than sufficient. Although there was also the option to have your time clocked - a brevet this is called - on the 65K and I suppose if you really went fast you might miss some turns due to the arrowing being sparse.
But I only missed one - on a familiar track I must add - where they chose another option to loop out of than the one I usually take.. my bad . I quickly noticed I was wrong ( no more arrows ! ) and got back to the fork where I last saw an arrow. After some 20K I got to the first rest stop. This was stocked with food - dried fruit, cake , bananas and more cake - and water. Also some mint-flavored sports-drink which didn't invite to get a second glass. Sober but sufficient I would say. And who can complain when you get 3 reststops for 4 Euro, right?
The trail then ondulated toward Dion Valmont and further to the Bois de Laurensart. Here they added an extra loop for the 65K which took us on a screaming fast downhill and straight into our first *big* mudhole.. *Aaargh*. Those who know me know that I don't particularly like mud. The only people really liking mud might be the bikeshops, they get to change all the worn-out bikeparts. But I managed to get myself and my bike through the puddles unscathed. Experience is a good thing in these matters. Instead of burying yourself in the mud trying to go AROUND the puddles, just go STRAIGHT THROUGH them. The ground is harder IN the puddles, and the water will clean your tyres and bike, rather than clog it up with mud. I saw some lesser experienced guys burying themselves quite successfully in the sucking mud.. their agonizing screams left me to pedal away with a smile on my face. Yeah, I'm bad.
Getting to the second rest stop now, planted in a field in Ottenburg. I tried checking how long we had to go (I had 41K on my counters) but the girls manning ( lovely play of words don't you think?) the rest stop were not 'in the know' of such arcane things. So I figured it must still be 25K and moved on. Food and drink here were the same as on the first stop. Nothing fancy but sufficient. The trail now came very close to Wavre again but luckily another loop (or 3 ) was awaiting the long-distance riders'. First we got a fine loop going towards Rosieres, with a hollow road drop in a forest towards Tombeek to follow. Albeit another mudhole awaited us at the bottom of said drop. Oh well, let's get dirty - it's fun. Another climb followed taking us in reverse direction of a marked route (BLOSO Overijse ) and back towards Wavre.
I began to feel the accumulation of K's in my legs and riding alone - I only seemed to be passing bikers at the rest stops and only 2 or 3 passed me - gave me the impression to be on some trail exploration . I love the solitude of the longest distance on an organized ride. Most people seem to settle for the middle distances , 35/50K on this ride . I was just thinking of adding an extra stop to absorb a powerbar when the third reststop announced itself. So I ate it there, or rather I queezed it out of its wrapper. It had slightly begun to rain now, and the trails became covered with a wet sheen which rendered them a bit more tricky than they already were. Every now and then some cobbles were thrown at us, and you know how tricky wet cobbles can be. Alertness was required. Some 10K to go, and some fine trails were awaiting us yet. Looping towards Rixensart we came to a nice rollercoaster MX-type track. Only thing was, it was a loop and I nearly did it twice before I realized I better get off it if I was to regain Wavre anytime soon. Wait, I see an arrow pointing AWAY from the loop, OK thats it, lets go. Up until now, the bifurcations had been very well signposted, but this MX track needed another arrow or perhaps a plaque explaining it was a loop and where to get off of it. The last few K's were pretty tough, some very steep climbs and a nasty downhill in a wet field - incorporating a gully that did not seem ride-able to me. Those with tired muscles and lack of concentration better beware. There was a plaque marked 'Danger' though so I don't think a lot of bikers were surprised by it.

The Lowdown:

What I liked :
- arrowing was sparse but sufficient
- signposters at traffic junctions and crossroads
- dangerous downhills were marked
- guarded bike-park at the start
- 3 rest stops, sufficiently stocked with food and drinks .
- rest stops well divided over the ride (20K - 40K - 55K on 65K)
- some nice trails included and some surprises as well
- every biker got a card with emergency numbers

What I did not like:
- arrowing too sparse for chrono-riders
- no controls for chrono riders and stop/start procedure of chrono was archaic
- confusing trails at the MX track
- tough bit at the end might throw tired bikers off.

I can't comment on showers and/or bikewash facilities since I did not use these.

Synopsis:
A good ride, well organised with attention to detail and some very nice tracks. Arrowing and rest stops were sufficient . The chrono was their first one and it showed. If they want to do this again they need more signage and a better way to time the riders. Also, some control points along the ride to discourage cheaters. There were signposts indicating dangerous spots and at most road crossings signposters stopped the traffic for us. Never forget to say 'Thank you' they are sacrificing THEIR sunday for you! Bifurcations between the distances were well marked and not easily missed. Emergency cards and guarded bike-park are welcome extras. Pricing was more than fair.

The Bare Facts :

68K and 1000 heightmeters (Hill Factor 14.7)

More Info:

Ride's Profile : CLICK
Map of the ride : CLICK

Ride Stats : 106K and 1325 heightmeters in 5h43mins

4466/37420