In the morning it looked like a fine day. Sun was shining and even though a nasty wind was blowing cold air from the northwest I decided to ride out. I wasn't sure which way to go so I started out along the track of the Ronde van Leuven starting from Blanden. But they were still arrowing the ride so I switched to the Kroem Foerce arrowing in Bierbeek and decided to follow this hilly trail through Linden, Holsbeek, Kortrijk Dutsel and Sint Pieters Rode until I reached Lubbeek. From there I rode up the hill towards Pellenberg but took a smaller road taking me towards Boutersem instead of following the big road. When I looked towards Bierbeek I noticed with a shock that there was a big black mushroom cloud hanging over Bierbeek, exactly in the direction I was planning to ride. I also felt the wind becoming stronger, no doubt hurrying out in front of the squall.

The only option I had was trying to avoid being hit by the rain so I followed the Tiensesteenweg towards Korbeek Lo, thus leaving the cloud to pass at my left. It seemed to work because I only felt a couple of raindrops when I crossed the outskirts of the depression. Arriving at the Mol I took the expressweg towards Haasrode and Blanden. When I reached the bridge of the E40 the road became wet. I stopped to take another picture, this time from the back of the cloud.

A bit later I arrived home and I had indeed escaped a lot of rain. So I was lucky today, being able to complete my ride in complete dryness.

Ride Stats : 51K and 440/505 heightmeters (Polar/Garmin) in 2h17mins

6601/69755