Day 7

Like to last couple of previous days, we started out under steel gray cloud with temperatures in the mid 50's or so. From the cycling standpoint, just about perfect weather.

We left La Louvière following the Canal du Centre. A wide canal with beautiful bike paths. 

As you may know, canals often have a series of locks that allow traffic to flow from one level for the canal to another. Years ago as I traveled along the Erie Canal in New York there would be a series of locks that would raise or lower as the canal would change.

Today we got a chance to see another way to raise and lower boats. In this case its the Strépy-Thieu Boat Lift. Instead of a series of smaller lock lifts, the boat lift make  a huge change in height in one big step.

From the photo below, it may be difficult to imagine, but this structure is capable of lifting or lowering 2 canal boats a total of 240 feet (up or down) in one motion. Quite an engineering feat!

The route of the rest of the day followed a variety of surfaces including; canal paths, roads, farm roads and cattle tracks.

Oh lets not forget about the wind.  As you can see by the route map below, the route was generally to the Northwest, often turning directly West. Unfortunately we had a very strong wind with gust up to 56 kph (35 mph). As we made our way, we would turn left into the wind and almost come to a standstill then turn right and get a crosswind followed by another turn to the left into the headwind. It became very tiring.

Also had the opportunity of experiencing the famous Belgium cobblestones as well. It wasn't the first time in this trip, but it was the most bone shaking and frankly the most terrifying part of the trip. 

Imagine, you are at the top of a hill. Late in the ride and just hoping to swoop down the final hill into the town for the night. But instead, as you roll down off the top of the hill, you are picking up speed and round a couple of turns, then suddenly the smooth asphalt is replaced with the famous Belgium cobblestones. All of a sudden, shouts ring out as a pleasurable downhill cruise turns into a balancing act as your skinny wheels are ricocheting off the tops of the crowns of the cobble stones and your hands begin to ache as you grab the break levers in order to slow this bucking carbon frame machine to a manageable speed. Luckily the cobblestone ends and the smooth asphalt returns. Soon the road flattens out and you make the last series of bike paths turns into the hotel for the night. As you dismount you're giggling with your biking buddies and think to yourself, what a great day to be alive.

Today's Photos

Happy Biking,

Brian