After watching Jaroslav Kuhlavy take the Olympic Gold in the XC mountainbike race in Hadleigh Park, I rode out for a medium-length ride myself. I wanted to check out the church of Neerheylissem so I again took the road through  Meldert and Hoegaarden, Outgaerden and Goetsenhoven - where I had to wait for a local cycling event to pass - and then to Meer where I took a right to reach the Brabant Walloon region and the Helecine village. Arriving in Neerheylissem I stopped near the church for a couple of pictures of this 12th century monumental building..

On towards Opheylissem where I had another appointment, this time with the old abbey which was turned into a Provincial protected building. Only a couple of buildings remain from the original abbey but they have been beautifully restored. The place is now very popular with tourists.

From Helecine I set towards Jodoigne on the N222 which took me with good speed through Pietrain and into Jodoigne. On towards Dongelberg and crossing the N91 into Incourt and on to Longueville. The sun was out in full splendour and even though I left at 4PM it was still strong and warm. Down to Grez where I took the direction to Hamme Mille along the N25. From Hamme Mille I finished my right with my usual loop through Beauvechain, Opvelp, Bierbeek and Haasrode. The wind was not as strong as yesterday and it looked to have shifted towards the southwest. With an average temperature of 28 degrees this was a very pleasant ride.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 78.5K and 535 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h46mins

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