#12 - Did I just do a tour?

Let’s start with the answer: Yes I did it… I think?
It all depends on how you define a tour. To me, touring is mostly a feeling. The feeling of being on the road. Being away from home, more then going for a ride and returning home to sleep. Having to take care of myself with limited resources.
And in a way I did that.

Just before we took of

The past two days, I took part in the annual ride of the Belgian HPV club. The starting point was at only 12 km from my home, so it felt natural to simply ride the trike there. And since I was planning to stay the weekend, why not do it the way I want to tour as much as possible? So I decided to take my camping gear on the trike. To sleep outside, under a shelter. I could have taken a tent, but since I plan to sleep in the elements as much as possible in the future, why would I?. On site, I knew there’s this little wood storage, that offers some shelter. The perfect spot to spend a night but still be safe from a possible shower at night.

So on friday, I left home all packed up. I took more with me then I really needed, since I wanted to know how the trike would handle under the load. Spoiler: he did great. I hardly even noticed the gear I had with me. I loaded the heavier stuff as low as possible, and the King Rack still had plenty

of free space up top. This thing really is a great piece of kit. It’s purpose built for touring with full gear, and it makes life pretty easy on the road. I just mounted both my Ortlieb bags to one side, and then strapped my foldable camping bed to the other side. The sleeping bag went on top, and off I went. Into the unknown.

The relative unknown of course. I know the roads around here pretty well. They have taken me every where, all my life. On day one, I just had a fun ride. It took me in a wide open circle from my home to the campsite. It could just be a 12 km ride, but it turned out to be a 67 km ride. On my way there, I discovered what had been rattling the past few days. Somewhere behind my head, something was making a noice with every bump I took, and I hadn’t been able to find the source before. Now, I found out it was the little mounts for the mudguard. They had come loose just a little bit. Of course it wasn’t as simple as just tightening the screws, because they seem to be of an odd size. Or the screws just are very low quality, because they all skipped on the tool. My guess is they are actually a size between 3 and 4 mm. And those were the only tools I had. I got them fastened enough to stop them from making an unbearable soundtrack to my ride.

I arrived late in the afternoon, as one of the first participants. A couple of people were there already, and I was welcomed with a nice talk and a beer. People kept dripping in, and soon, there was a great collection of recumbent bikes, trikes and velomobiles with people gathering around them discussing rides, comfort, tips and tricks and just general information. Seeing this huge variety in rides really was great. From really basic recumbents, over an old school Alleweder and trikes, to high end four-wheeled carbon-bodied velomobiles. They all have their fans. I went to bed pretty early, just to make sure I was ready for the trip on Saturday.

That day started way too early for me. 5 am wasn’t my first choice of time to wake up. But there started to be some light in the sky, and the birds decided to start their songs. It did give me the first epic moment of the day. Lying on my bed, I noticed a bat circling the shelter I was under. It kept flying around for about half an hour, until it was time for him to go to sleep. After a healthy breakfast, including some “dynamite” coffee, we started the ride at 10.00. I was still not sure I’d be able to complete the entire longer option. 97 km wasn’t just about 20 km further then I’d managed up till now. The predicted 25 kph speed, also seemed pretty steep for my untrained legs. I’d done my first 1.000 km in under 6 weeks, but my pace usually stays under 20 kph. But as soon as we left the campground, I felt at ease with the pace. At least the start went well. I knew the roads very well, what helped in planning ahead, and round corners without loosing too much speed. I combination with excellent hand signals by Vanessa, The start actually went much easier then I expected.

First stop of the day

After just 5 km, there was a short brake to climb a watching tower, but the first actual break for coffee was held after 20 km. The coffee tasted great, and we met up with the riders on the short tour. The first chance to decide on switching to the lighter option. But up till this point, the ride went so smooth, I didn’t even consider it. We left the Wortel Colony of Benevolence with the legs rested, to cross in to the Netherlands. A pleasant ride towards the bi-national town of Baarle-Hertog and -Nassau. to turn south again, following the old railroad we had been riding north before. Just across the border in Belgium, we took the halfway break to eat. I had a delicious turkey sandwich, that got my stomach all filled and happy.

In the afternoon, the trip got slightly modified for time reasons. 97 km became 90 km, dropping what I considered to be the most beautiful part of the original plan. The forests just north of the town of Poppel, are amazing to ride. I was there earlier this week , and it was great fun keeping up the pace on the meandering path going slightly up and down the whole time. The part that’s known locally as the Aa-route also was left out, meaning we soon ended the route following the canal back to camp. However sad we missed those parts, I’m sure I’ll be riding them again soon enough. As a one day ride, or as part of a tour.
Just before we got back to our starting point, I had a minor breakdown, because my chain jumped of at the back, and got blocked. An easy fix, that only held me back for a minute.
Back at camp, many groups started talking about the ride of the day. great stories were shared and enjoyed together.

Unlike I had planned, I left for home that evening. After the delicious bbq, I decided I wasn’t going to sleep in the elements just to make it a three-day event. I could already feel my body was in need of some rest. I had a couple of drops in my blood glucose during the day, and after the ride, I clearly had low blood pressure. Notting allarming, but I had to listen to my boddy.
My first tour was over. Contemplating that fact on my way home, I realized I actually achieved some milestones this week. My first tour, however short. My first 1.000 km on the trike in just under 6 weeks. It could have been under a month no thanks to the Belgian weather. My first ride of more then 100 km in a single day. My first ride taking camping gear with me…
I’m sure there’s much more of them to come