I am deprived of a lot that defines me as a person since COVID hit our world. I am all about spontaneity and getting chatty with complete strangers. Once in a while I need to know there is another world, one yet unknown to me and I love to be immersed in its different culture. I miss getting lost in remote areas, feeling safe in my friend’s hugs, disappearing in the modern dance that takes place on stage in the theatre where I normally am a regular visitor. I missed me, myself and didn’t feel comfortable that I was losing control of who I am.

This weekend was about regaining myself. Travelling to this world where I feel at home. First of all, that meant spending it with a dear friend.Being stuck for too long alone in my apartment made me yearn for companionship. I didn’t have to think twice to know where to head at. Nature, as remote as possible in our little country. We ended up in a place overlooking rolling hills and the meandering Sûre. The owner of the place was a warm-hearted person, a like-minded spirit. Not to forget Félix and Laika, the dog that barked if he wasn’t caressed and the cat that spent all evening purring on my lap.While cracking that delicious Pinard de Bruxelles, we checked out the route we would ride the next day

The region we cycled in was new to both of us which made the whole day look like a discovery, curious to find out where the next bend in the road would lead us to. Our legs immediately got challenged at the start. During the first part of the route, we were often accompanied by panoramic views, no one to be seen as far as the eye could reach. At certain moments, it felt like we were roaming through the backcountry of Southern England.  We dived into the Northern part of the Forest of Anlier and soon found out that the trail planned seemed to demand a lot of our bikes since there had been some heavy forest works. Many trees had been cut down and new ones planted. We found an alternative and entered a domain that made us feel in a different era and completely alone in the whole forest. While attacking a technical downhill I noticed a beautiful tiny tower in the distance, I could make out the roof of a small shed. We headed over there. A mysterious place, deserted. We spent some time looking through what was left behind in the cabin and were catapulted back in time.  There, amid the trees, complete silence except for the chattering birds and Phil playing Sherlock in the shed, I realized I was at the right place. It showed me that I don’t need much to be happy, to find myself and get energized for another period of being stuck inside focused on work and my construction project.  We’ll keep the location of this one secret, some hidden treasures are not meant to be found.

The remainder of the ride led us through peaceful sleeping villages and different parts of the impressive Anlier forest. We devoured wide forest roads, ancient tram lines, bumpy single tracks and some other stimulating downhills. We met up with some curly cows, the ones in my hometown can’t compete with these beauties. We set off in the morning guided by the sun for a rough stuff ride in a desolate area to arrive back at our bnb where we ended the day having our apero on the terrace with a view that summarized our trip: breathtaking. We slightly adapted the ride to make it fit for our club event and after pizza crawled into bed.

The next day, we would welcome the Wildhood family in La Roche for another 1500m of awesome climbing.  What helped me through the past year is my bike and Wildhood, the awesome community we created in only one year. Recon riding another club ride was the perfect activity for the weekend, regaining myself while preparing new adventures to share with our cycling buds.

Words: Sofie Schuer

Photography: Phil Michiels