It was the first time the weather was perfect on a thursday evening so I decided to join the KBC mountainbike club on their weekly outing. They start at the Heverlee Caserne at 6.30pm and then go for a 2-hour drive in Heverleebos and Meerdael Forest. We started easy in Heverleebos but one of the guides quickly had a problem with his bike. Turned out the axle of the wheel was touching the disc of the rear brake. Probably an error in the bike shop since the bike just came back from an overhaul. One guide gone so that left me to guide the rest of the group through the Forest.

No problem of course , I only had to take into account the fitness level of the weakest of the group and make sure that we would be back around 8.15 or thereabouts. The group was pretty strong and I incorporated a couple of technical tracks to ease them towards more confidence in up-and downhills. There were obviously also a couple of "testosteron toms" who would escape on each of the climbs, incorporating a bit of interval training. Of course they had to wait at the next turn for the rest of the group and the guide. I developed an easy pace and tried to keep the group together. The trails were perfect, dry and mostly clear of debris. Near the end, after a couple of steep climbs in the Nethen area, the fatigue was starting to set in and I turned the group back towards Blanden and towards Heverleebos where we split up. Me heading for home, the rest heading for the starting place where they left their cars. Dusk was setting in and the warm sun was long gone so I was glad to not have inderdressed. In the forest the wind wasn't noticeable but once you came out into the open the chilly northeaster grabbed you in the face like a cold hand. Good thing I wore a windbreaker and long sleeved shirt and 3/4th lenght Assos Roubaix pants.

Ride Stats : 34.5K and 305/350 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 1h55mins

2587/25025