Weather forecast called for possible showers, even an occasional thunderstorm. After having checked meteox.be I decided to take my chances and follow the LF6 Vlaanderen Fietsroute about 40K out. This route takes me through Bierbeek, Meldert, Hoegaarden and then to Laar and Neerwinden. When I was close to Neerlanden and saw 41K and 1h45 on my counter I decided to turn. Up till now the sun had been my companion but when I turned around I noticed some darker clouds over the far horizons. In Laar I passed some witnesses of the July 14th storm. A lots of trees had been broken and I stopped to take a picture of an old willow.

When I neared Meldert I was sure I would not be able to escape a gathering thunderstorm. I had heard the thunder a couple of times and I could see the dark center cloud on my left. When I left Opvelp it started to rain. I put on my Goretex Paclite and for 3 to 4 K it rained heavily. When I left Bierbeek the rain subsided and the wind already started to dry my clothes. Only a couple of kilometers to go now and I finished with a good ride under my belt at a long distance pace and with an average heartrate of only 109bpm.
Ride Stats : 82k and 535/590 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h29mins
5616/58530
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