Big Bad Log

5.58am. Rise and shine, give the cat his insulin injection and prepare to head out for a tour around one of my favorite training rides : the Accro Bike. This ride starts in Grez-Doiceau and I have two versions - a 42K and a 52K one. Today I decided to do the 52K version and do it in the reverse direction. This is a very good exercise in remembering a trail. You have to know it by heart to be able to ride it in the reverse direction without hesitation. I know this trail by heart, I have done it so many times and each time again I am amazed at its beauty and deceiving toughness. It is a steady connection of climbs and descents, one after the other. The 42K version has some 650 heightmeters and the 52K version around 800. I started early to avoid the heat. I am still wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and even though this is not that much hotter than short sleeved stuff, it helps when the temps are cool. When I left it was a marvelous 16 degrees C and during the ride temps would rise to about 29 degrees. My average temperature was 21 degrees though, because near 11am the sun was hiding behind the clouds and lots of the trails pass through cool and lush forests. Some of the little tracks were overgrown but with my long pants I was immune to the nettles and prickly thorns. The smell when riding along the freshly cut and harvested grain fields was making me reminiscent of my youth, when we used to play in the haystacks. The corn was gently whispering in the wind and I felt great to be able to be out here and ride. All the while I did not forget to check my legs for horseflies because even though I wear long pants, they can bite through them if need be. But since I have been applying some DEET before leaving I have not been bothered. Yet it doesn't hurt to be vigilant.

Some of you might think I'm a bit crazy doing all this stuff to avoid being bitten but I know why I'm doing this, don't worry. A couple of years ago I was bitten by horseflies twice within a fortnight and the second time the allergic reaction was a lot more violent than the first time. The doctor prescribed me an EPI-pen which I had to take along . The third bite in a row might send me into anaphylaxis and an Epi-pen is the only thing that can save my life when out in the field. Since I have been bitten twice this year - albeit that the first one was without much harm - I am not taking any chances thank you !
Anyway, the trails were great today and when I arrived home just before noon I felt tired but very satisfied. I had a narrow escape with a dog near the end of my ride - I think the poor bugger is half deaf now from my screaming and yelling - and I nearly turned around to have a go at its owner . There are 'dogs on a leash' signs everywhere so I figure that if I am attacked by some runaway mongrel it is my good right to protect myself and if I get a hold of its collar I will see its tongue turn blue before I let go. Pity I can't do the same with the owner - because that is where the blame really lies.

Ride Stats : 81K and 1055 heightmeters in 4h51mins

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