Concentration Camp to Westmalle

Today is the first day in a couple weeks that I did not ride my bike. My boss is not doing well physically. Hopefully everything will go well.

I had planned to ride tonight, but the rains came and the ride was cancelled. Maybe next Wednesday. I will be have to ride twice as far this Saturday.

I have plotted a course for day 3 from the concentration camp to the Westmalle area.

Day 3 travel

Then this is the route around the Abbey area.

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=686042

Map from Leuven to Concentration Camp

Day 2

Map From Brussels Airport to Leuven

Airport to Leuven

Riding in the rain and fleshing out some Belgian sites

Had a great ride this morning.  Rained a bit but was very cool.  Chose to ride off the road except directly from my place to the Trinity Trails.  Going up the hill on Taylor is quite a bit more difficult than going down.  But I made it without stopping.  Even had a small cheering section.  A hiker near the top of the hill kept saying "You can do it!!!"  A couple others gave me big smiles as I crept by.   The other cycling lessoned learned this morning is to watch crossing metal bridges particularly in the rain.  I rode toward the Stock Yards and crossed the metal walking bridge.  As I crossed the bridge, my bike's tires slid.  Didn't fall but got quite a rush.

I think I have discovered a way to use the official Belgium biking mapping system on youroute and save it here.  If you are unable to see the map PLEASE let me know.

On the first day, May 13th, I hope to get an intact bike off the airplane and put it back together and ride from the airport to Leuven.  This is the home of Leffe and Stella.  If all goes as planned, after this is posted you will see another post that shows a map of the route.

Then on Day 2, that maybe the next calendar day or just the second day on the road, I plan on riding from Leuven to the National Memorial Fortress of Breendonk - Concentration camp of Breendonk.  I have never been to a concentration camp.  It holds some dread but I need to go see.  http://www.trabel.com/mechbreendonk.htm

Cadence, going greater distance and more on mapping software

I play no musical instrument.  I hated marching when I was in the military.  Not much into clapping along with the songs in church because before long I am clapping to the beat of my own drummer.  So when I started reading about cadence in cycling, I became worried.   For the past week, I have tried to push through my lack of rhythm and pedal to a cadence.  Sort of has worked for me.  And when I join the cadence and shifting into one plan, I think it may work well.  Except yesterday when Bryan drug us up Hidden Road.  I was barely able to breathe and pedal at the same time by the crest of that hill let alone be concerned about shifting and cadence. 

I have been putting in 100+ miles each week.  Yesterday's 20+ ride to Burgers' Lake was good except for a ride up a cliff that I mentioned before.  But if I want to make sure I can ride 500 miles in two weeks, I should think about doing some fairly long rides.  I don't think that I am up for a ride to Austin and back, but am thinking about riding to Mineral Wells soon.  Would be open to any suggestions about route or any other destination.  Also, looking for folks to join me in the ride.  I would like to set about a 12 mph pace so that with breaks one would average about 10 mph. 

On one of the official Belgian websites, www.routeyou.com was suggested because the smallest path was supposed to be listed.  I haven't found it to be overly helpful yet.  Just finished mapping out a rough route.  It was 505 km.  That is just the basic route with no distance for touring.  Of course, when I clicked on a link and returned, the route went away.  One good thing about doing and redoing these maps is that I am better understanding Belgium's geography.  Probably something that will come in handy.  Stand by because one of these days, I will be able to share a map with you.  But not today.

Going out with the Night Riders to do about 12 miles.

Detours

Although I have been getting in my 24+ km each day, I have not been blogging.  Getting to the point where my knee feels best when I am riding.  I guess that is a good thing.  The heat so far really has not impaired my riding.  I never drank a lot of water.  Liquids yes.  Water no.  But lately I have been drinking water.  A lot of water.  

I have been trying to create and save a Yahoo or Google map.  Google seems to be the best but I still am not very confident that when I save a map that it will be there when I return.  So I am still looking for other, better options.  Will gladly try any other program so let me know if there is something better.

Maybe the couple days that I spent on creating maps was a good thing.  I am now leaning toward NOT going in Brussels right away.  Rather I am thinking of riding to Leuven from the airport.  It is only 18 km and is primarily in the country.  Leuven is the home of Stella and Leffe.  More importantly it is a college town so should have plenty of bike maintenance experts.  Going into Brussels tired and jet lagged probably is not the best idea.  Further, if I finish my trip in Brussels, that would give me a couple day pad.  I would hate to have to rush across Belgium trying to make my flight.

This new plan probably would mean that I would not see Waterloo battlefield, but that is not on my list of have to stops.  If I get there great.  If not, have another beer and relax.

Knee is better and route out of Brussels

Sort of funny how my knee feels better when I am riding than when I am walking.  Doesn't hurt walking but is a little stiff.  Rode about 20 km with the Night Riders on Sunday and got my 24 km in today.  I work from home tomorrow so hope to ride early in the cool, cool of the morning.

In the mail today, I received my Vlaanderen Fietsroute - Flanders Bike Route Map.  I am thinking of staying in Brussels from Friday, May 13th through Sunday, May 15th.  If what I read is correct, I will be staying near the Grand Place.  Business hotels give great discounts on Friday and Saturday nights.   I plan on leaving Sunday and heading south out of town along the Brussels Canal for about 20 km.  Sort of this path, http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLJ_en___US381&q=Sainctelette+brussels+map&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Sainctelette&gl=us&ei=WSwgTNvOB4WonQegquB6&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ8gEwAA

Somewhere near Huizingen, I will pick up LF 6 to Overijse.  This is about 23 km.  Depending upon how early I leave and how many times I get lost, I might swing off LF 6 at Rhode-Saint-Genese to visit Waterloo battlefield.  http://www.groteroutepaden.be/grlf/v1.nsf/docs/LF6.html 

Really getting into selecting a route.