Three-day test in the Belgian Ardennes. (S1: E2)

The time has come within a few months. To prepare myself optimally, I undertake a three-day tour within Belgium and the Belgian Ardennes from Friday 16/04 to Sunday 18/04/2021. I simulate as much as possible all aspects of the 15-day trip. The distance and amount of elevation gain on each ride correspond to an average ride on my 15-day adventure. I will leave with the same luggage and stay at two different locations.

For three days I cover 560 km with more than 7000 vertical meters. Curious how it will end? Then read on below.

Day 1 Buggenhout to Bouillon - Friday 16/04/2021

The first day is over and it went pretty well. To be fair, I have to admit that the weather was perfect before that. Average temperature and little wind. I left Buggenhout around eight o'clock, direction Bouillon. It was the first time for me that I cycled to the Belgian Ardennes. Once you have passed busy Brussels, you drive from village to village along quiet roads. Komoot has succeeded very well in choosing the most beautiful roads with beautiful nature. One time Komoot went wrong when I tumbled in a field road with a large mud pool halfway through. I was reminded of the words of my good friend Sven who recommended a gravel bike to me. Such roads are apparently child's play with such a bicycle. But that may be something of the future.

Driving with 17 kg of luggage is not child's play. Especially because my BMC Roadmachine is made of carbon and is quite light in weight. When descending I had to be very careful that my bike did not start to swing. Because when that happens I will no longer be able to control the bike with all the consequences that go with it.

After 8 hours and 30 minutes on the bike I arrived in Bouillon.

Some numbers of the day:

• 195 total number of km
• 2750 vertical meters
• 185 average wattage
• 115 average heart rate
• 23 km / h average speed
• 58 km / h maximum speed
• 8:32 am by bike
• 9:43 am on the way
• Burned 5650 Cal

Today I tried to dose my strength as best as possible. I am curious if this has been successful. Tomorrow I will tell you more about this.

Day 2 Bouillon to Hermalle-sous-Huy - Saturday 17/04/2021

After a hearty breakfast in line with my nutritional schedule, I started the long day. The sun was there with a pleasant temperature for cycling. Only the wind has played tricks on me at certain times. The ride started immediately with a steep climb with climbing percentages above 10%. That was immediately a good test to see if I had already recovered something.

And from then on it was like there was no end to all the climbing. At one point there was a climb with percentages above 15%. For me this is a good test to see if I get that almost 20 kg extra weight upwards. Because in the Spanish Pyrenees it will not be less in a few months. And above all, the climb there will be much greater in distance. It was also not surprising since I passed Barque de Fraiture , one of the highest points in Belgium, passed. And then a beautiful gift came out. Over a distance of 16 km in a descending line towards Durbuy. Blissful.

If you spend more than 9 hours on the bike, it is logical that you think about everything. Now I was wondering how you should organize such a trip if there were no Garmin devices and Komoot apps? Then you should be constantly staring at the map on your tube. That wouldn't have been for me.

Before arriving at the inn I passed the shop to have enough food and drink for the last day tomorrow. A necessary evil because shopping is not my forte.

After a few kilometers, the toughest test awaits me tomorrow, the climb “Roche aux faucons” with an average gradient of 1% for more than 9 km. For me there is no other option than to persevere. Because when I have to get off the pedals, I never get my heavy bike with the center of gravity up at the back.

Some numbers of the day:

• 182 total number of km
• 2850 vertical meters
• 187 average wattage
• 114 average heart rate
• 21,5 km / h average speed
• 60 km / h maximum speed
• 8:32 am by bike
• 10:04 am on the way
• Burned 5750 Cal

Day 3 Hermalle Sous Huy to Buggenhout - Sunday 18/04/2021

At 8:00 am I left for the first trial and ultimate test. Will I be able to climb the climb “Roche aux Faucons” without difficulty? It is a famous climb with an average of 9% gradient over 1 km and a section of 14% gradient over 100m. It took a while but it went well. To be able to master the gradient of 14%, I had to cycle 400 watts constantly. That's why I do anaerobic workouts that involve higher wattages.

The weather was glorious with both the temperature and wind in my favor. The cycling went pretty smoothly and you notice that after a while you get used to the heavy luggage and become more skilled in steering. I follow the route that Komoot has mapped out for me. That is of course very useful when everything goes well. At one point I was cycling on a motorway near Liège. It was too late to turn around. I have to say that this doesn't feel as pleasant as cars speed past. Komoot also guided me through the center of Brussels. I personally don't like all those traffic lights. But it must be said that there is a lot of attention for cyclists with road markings everywhere.

What has the three days taught me now? Well, cycling for days on end should be doable if I dose properly and cycle as low as possible wattages. A feeding schedule is highly recommended. I have never had an energy dip. A good night's sleep is super important. The only thing I have not been able to test is the temperature. In Spain and France the temperature will be 20 degrees higher. How my body reacts to it is difficult to estimate. And I also took the test for three days. My First Adventure (S1) will take 15 days which is 5 times as much in the end. But if it is true what the specialists claim that the result is achieved with 25% physical strength and 75% mental strength, then I think I have a chance.

Some numbers of the day:

• 181 total number of km
• 1820 vertical meters
• 173 average wattage
• 110 average heart rate
• 23 km / h average speed
• 64 km / h maximum speed
• 7:56 am by bike
• 9:02 am on the way
• Burned 5000 Cal