Today I set out through Meerdael forest focussing on riding offroad through the fields towards Sart-Melin. The roads were still too icy to risk riding with the Hilset so I just took the Litespeed and its knobby Big Jim tyres and set out on the snow and icy trails. Had a wake-up call very early during the ride when my front wheel parted sideways. I succeeded in staying upright, don't ask me how. From then on I was more weary. I rode through Mollendaal on a cobbled road towards Opvelp and then further on towards Beauvechain. My GPS lead me along mostly field roads with the occasional small tarmac connection. The field roads were mostly fine to ride but sometimes the snow got deeper and my wheels washed away from side to side. But some careful steering and anticipation got me through all the difficulties. The worst was the black ice. It looks like an ordinary wet spot but it is very slippery and icy and its best not to touch the brakes when riding over it. Couple that with cobbles that are angled in all directions and you get the picture. This is a very good way to learn how to control a bike.
When I arrived near Sclimpré I noticed the church of Sart-Melin in the distance and plotted my route towards that point. In Melin the main roads were still snowed under. No salt here, just some sand and ashes which also prove very effective against the ice. I had no trouble riding over the roads. Soon I arrived near Morsaint and from there I rode through Pietrebais . It started to get darker now and I decided to make my way up towards the N25. I was the first on the bikepath leading next to it and I rode in the direction of Nodebais to stop at the little chapel.

Took some pictures there and then set forth towards Nodebais centre and onwards towards Tourinnes. Still on smaller roads but then I made my way up towards valduc and decided to follow the N25 through Meerdael forest because it was really getting dark now and my hands started to get numb from the cold. Still I had a great ride, all kinds of snow and ice with some magnificent views and a great red sunset to boot.

Ride Stats : 37.5K and 285/315 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h8mins. -4 degrees C average temp.

862/9205