Big Bad Log

6.57 am. The moon is my only companion as I leave my home to ride towards Bierbeek and the start of the Meerdael 2000 organized ride. It's a lush 7 degrees C and I'm feeling fine. Only my fingers are a bit cold when I arrive at the venue some 15 minutes later. As usual I help the organisation . My role is to ride the big loop of 55K to check the arrowing. The sun is just about to appear above the horizon as I start out on the loop around 7.25am. At first I ride together with some of the other guys but at the split between the 25/35K and 45/55K distances I continue on my own in the awakening forest. I love riding alone like this, and I am only passed by 2 riders before I reach the first rest stop some 20K into the ride.
They are still building up the rest stop so I only report I had to add 2 arrows at some dodgy points and then continue on my way. I have been riding into the ethereal and absolutely dry-trailed Meerdael forest for quite a while now and only after hooking up with the shorter distance the trail slowly leads us out of the forest and into the fields of Hamme Mille and beyond. It is still early but the sun is out and a little wind becomes noticeable from westerly directions. I pass some more riders now - official start is from 8.30 onwards so the early starters are already well onto the loop - and get passed by one or two pocket rockets. I am tempted to up the speed and follow them but I decide to wait until after the 2nd rest stop to go a little faster. I have to keep concentrating on checking the arrows instead of just following the well-known trails. At the 2nd rest stop, which is about 37K into the ride, I have something to drink (some very yummie banana-mango-fruit yogo drink offered by Chiquita ) and a little snack. Sadly there is no more sponsoring from Red Bull - I miss the Red Bull girls and their gentle smiles... Red Bull come back !!

After this rest stop I stay more or less in the fields with only a small section into Meerdael Forest again before splitting off from the main loop for another extra loop only the 35K and 55K riders can enjoy. My speed is well up now and on the flat sections I enjoy the occasional push from the wind, which seems to be gaining speed as well. Every now and then I enjoy the comfort of the Moots as a section of cobbles is thrown our way.. Nothing beats titanium in riding over cobbles. At the end of the ride I have 57.5K and just shy of 580 heightmeters. Average speed of nearly 21kph is fine for me.
I'm in just before the last riders are allowed on the trails and I hear that there have been at least 1500 inscriptions, which is a great success for the organisation. This is largely due to the great weather conditions but also to the grapevine buzz this ride has enjoyed and which has been very positive throughout the years.
Upon returning home I make some extra loops to enjoy the really beautiful weather conditions, leaving me with almost 71K and a nice 665 heightmeter total.

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