Looking at another sunny and warm day, so a long ride was on the menu. I settled on the Biz' On the Bike 120. A slightly altered BOB 145, with the first bit  - going towards Huldenberg and Ottenburg - skipped . But the remainder was still quite a ride, with some nasty hills, some even steep and/or long enough to demand a passage on the inner ring. Most of the hills have gradients around 4, 5 or 6 degrees, with an occasional 7 degrees popping up. These can all be taken on the big ring. The ride takes a loop through Nethen, Pecrot, Bossut and Grez , then taking off towards Chaumont Gistoux were the first climb awaits. The ascent towards Longueville. I must have had good legs because even on the 10% section I still had a gear to spare . Onwards to Incourt, Opprebais and Maleves. Behind Maleves , some smaller tarmac tracks lead me though Thorembais towards the N91. Crossing that the trail takes me to Gerompont before turning towards the south towards Ramillies.
I'm at the southernmost part now and take a left along the Rue Romaine, which runs parallel with the Route de La Hesbaye. I've been here before and just north of Branchon I take a turn towards the North, and into the wind. Towards Jandrenouille and then a left to reach Folx-les-Caves.  I stop for a little bite to eat in the shade of a tree alongside the road. I'm some 65K into the ride and I will need my strength for the next part which takes me mainly to the north, and thus against the breeze. The sun is burning and in a sense the wind is very welcome, because it brings some much needed freshness. From Folx-les-caves a difficult bit brings me to Orp-Jauche where I take a 160 degree turn to the west and Autre-Eglise. After Hedenge and Bomal the road again turns straight to the north and another tough section. But the again I tun left and have the wind in my side when I speed towards Jauchelette. Crossing the Chaussee de Jodoigne and I am on small tarmac roads riding towards the north-northwest.
I've been here many times before and the climb before Dongelberg is a tough one, but I make it on the big ring. Lathuy is next and when I reach the N240 I decide to ride towards Jodoigne instead of braving the cobbles in Saint Remi Geest. From Jodoigne I take the Ravel and join the GPS track again in Zetrud-Lumay. Into Hoegaarden and a stiff climb out of it towards Hauthem. Hoksem and Kumtich are next and before long I am speeding towards Willebringen and Neervelp. A little loop along the E40 towards Bierbeek-Bremt and then I follow the E40 to reach the Galgenberg and Haasrode. A fine ride which took some calories out of me.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 123K and 970 heightmeters (Garmin) in 04h25mins

8187/41665