After yesterdays' road ride I wanted to do another ride today but for this on I chose the Merlin Works 4.0 and decided to do the Meerdael Bloso routes. Starting around 10am with the sun shining but temperatures only around 10 degrees C and no wind to speak of. Ideally suited for a ride.
I started out on a good pace. I would maintain this pace throughout the ride. Putting some stress on my muscles and lower back so see how they would hold out. There is no other way to find out.
Starting on the green and working my way through the relatively flat sections in Heverleebos and towards Korbeek Dyle. The climb next to the railroad in Oud-Heverlee was a brutal switch from the big chainring towards the small one. I had 2 bikers behind me so I did not slouch. I lost them on the steep bit near the end. Short downhill followed by a cobble climb. Next onto the Blue Bloso at the Zoete Waters. This is the more hilly of the tree and some strain began to build up in my body whilst the steep sections were followed by - too - short downhill sections. On the climb behind the Kluis I had another biker in my sights but despite my efforts I could not close the gap. Down towards Nethen and then settling down for the long climb next to the Savenel wall. My aim was still riding in front of me, giving me a goa. Pity he followed the Blue Bloso to the left on the split with the Red. I continued along and still was able to hold a good speed. Out of Bierbeek the long climb into Mollendaalbos was the next big challenge. The sun was shining and I felt rather good on the bike. Taking care to keep my core muscles tight during the climb to relieve some of the stress off of my lower back. Back on the big chainring after passing the highest point in Meerdael Forest. The trails were super. It had rained a bit last week which has caused the dust to settle but there was no mud. The singletrack next to the Naamsesteenweg was a joy to ride. I stopped for a little photo break at the Dikke Beuk.

From then onwards the Red offers only a couple of challenges before crossing over to the Green. Back in Heverleebos and a couple of short climbs later I was where I had inserted myself on the routes a couple of hours ago. During the ride back along the Prosperdreef I was trying to initiate a cooldown but in practise I kept maintaining a good pace until the end.

Endomondo track


Ride Stats : 54K and 560 heightmeters (Garmin) in 2h33mins

2296/5010