Big Bad Log

Didn't feel like an organised ride today. No doubt most trails would be muddy and since going to the Ardennes under those circumstances is out of the question I answered positively to the invitation of Michael - aka the Big Dane - from BigM to go and have a workout at Bois des Reves. Bois des Reves is a parc in Ottignies where they have a MTB trail spanning some 2.8K and 80 heightmeters. Over the years I've added to that and now my lap consists of 5.5K and 140 heightmeters. We met at the carpark and I did a first lap with Michael showing him the way around the trails. He decided to stick to the 2.8K loop and since he was a lot stronger in the uphills and I wanted to do at least 40K today I let him ride alone. He needs to work on his technique and also for that Bois des Reves is great. The trail consists of some downhills with switchbacks that have roots in them, followed by steep uphills and some tricky passages over roots. The safety nets from last years' Belgian Mountainbike Championships were still there. One passage in particular took me 3 laps to feel secure enough to ride it. But I did and I was pleased with that. The rest of the track is just a matter of staying concentrated and push hard on the steep uphill sections. I left it on the middle ring and I made all the hills.

I found another alternative uphill which avoids having to turn on some roots and is a bit less steep than its alternative as well. The sweeping downhill through the valley which the Piste VTT follows was blocked by a big tree so we needed an alternative for that as well. I only saw Michael again at one point when he was trying to figure out the best line down on one of the switchbacks. I showed him the perfect track and after that I didn't see him again. When I was finished doing my laps I waited for him at the entrance but it appeared he had already gone.. Hmm, not very nice to leave without a message but I'm sure he left because his car wasn't at the car park either.
Me I had a very good workout, and a tough ride as well. 7 big laps netted me almost 1100 heightmeters. The Litespeed was more than sufficient on these trails - it's light and nimble - but on some if the more technical tracks I would have prefered a stiffer front end (blame the SID for that ) and some suspension in the rear. The ride's profile tells a thousand tales I'm sure.

Ride Stats : 40.5K and 1080 heightmeters in 2h51mins
Hill Factor : 26.6
Ride's Profile :

3344/30720

21-05-2008, 08:47 geschreven door mieke