Rise and shine at 7.30am to beat the heat. I was planning to combine the 50K of the 1W Tour des Loups, with the 100K of the BizOnTheBike . Starting out in Pietrebais the 1W moves slowly towards Perwez. The wind was blowing hard from the south - a dry hot wind - and I struggled a bit in the beginning. Not wanting to stress myself too much in view of the lenght of the ride - I guessed it would be between 85 an 90K - I took it easy and tried to enjoy the sun which was already  making its way like a speedy fireball towards the zenith.
Passing through villages with names like Maleves Sainte Marie Wastinnes I reached the outskirts of Perwez and took the 50K version of the  1W along the ravel towards Ramillies

Then the track turned towards Mont-Saint-Andre and Bomal. A bit further the track then is joined by the 90K 1W trail as it drops into Jauchelette.

A tough bit is the climb out of Dongelberg, where the sun is hammering on my back. After Dongelberg I reach Lathuy and when I cross the N240 and enter Melin I have to switch from the small 1W signs to the big blue BizOnTheBike arrows. My trail now leads me to Saint Remy Geest and Zetrud Lumay. I pause to take a picture of the Hoegaarden church before entering this village at the edge of the language border.

The trail now makes a loop towards Hauthem and the Marollen Chapel before entering Hoksem where I take a picture of its unique church with the two church roosters.

A long uphill and fast downhill takes me to Kumtich where the track at last turns towards Willebringen, Neervelp and Bierbeek. It turns out my guess was exactly right since the trail measures almost 90K. With a riding time of almost 4 hours I beat the midday sun. When I arrive home some small clouds begin to appear. Perhaps we will see some rain in the afternoon.

Ride Stats : 89K and 680/735 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 3h59mins

5318/56265