Around the airport

I didn't have much time for a big ride this Saturday so I took this rather uninspired tour around the airport. The taste of sweet kerosene:

I did this on Saturday this weekend just after heavy rainfalls. The bike would suffer. But it is still winter so I was on my "bad weather bike". One of the criteria for the new flat was to have a decent place to clean the bike. Not a cellar or garage. The courtyard and the water hose really are a quick and easy alternative to cleaning indoors. So rain is a bad excuse for laziness.

very close to IKEA, yet countryside.

The way out through Nossegem and Sterrebeek is unspectacular, yet good to ride, safe for some passages on these concrete roads and unuseable "fietspad" through Nossegem. Just don't use it.

In Perk I passed the picturesque Kasteel de Ribaucourt which is unfortunately not open to the public. The area around it, the Hellebos, is nice for Sunday afternoon walks (and a beer or coffee at Chalet Lillebroeck). A good alternative to the Tervuren Park or Bois de la Cambre without the masses.

Back via Houtem (probably the ugliest village in the area - or is it Peutie?) into Brussels where surprisingly only minor bike cleaning was necessary:

After work cycling Brussels

A 45k round that can easily be done afterwork - with the right equipment when it is dark. I have a quite strong headlight with which I can ride even if there is no street light. The 5€ decathlon one will not do. And even if there is street light in the countryside I'd recommend a really strong light. I got a B+M Ixon Pure with 30 Lux that lasts for about 5-6 hours.

The track and map is available here.




I like this way out of town after work because there is a reasonable bike path as from Woluwe Shopping and traffic on Broqueville is not too bad, even at rush hour. From the airport I took the bike path that runs along the highspeed train to Leuven, just until Veltem Beisem. From there a road with hardly any traffic goes to Nederokkerzeel.

from Veltem-Beisem to Nederokkerzeel

This quiet little town has several well paved small country roads that go back towards Brussels. I chose the most direct one, although without any street light. It runs directly towards the airport.

towards the airport

From there I took the same way back. It's just very convenient, especially in the dark.

When I started riding at night as well I felt a bit uneasy in the beginning. But so far I had no problems at all being seen (provided some proper lighting and my neon winter jersey). In fact it's even more secure than during daytime hours I feel.