31 December - Agnes Falls

Another brilliant day today and too good to pass up. Took the KLX to Agnes Falls located near Toora on the South Gippsland Highway. I've passed the sign to the falls numerous times but never had the opportunity check out what turned out to be a spectacular location. Definitely worth a visit and a nice spot for a picnic. Return journey via Yarram and Tarra Valley.

Total Distance 240 km.

30 December - Olinda, Dandenongs

                                                          (Photo Panoramia.com)


Zane (KLX250) and I (Honda) decided to take advantage of a promised warm and sunny day to finish 2011 with an all day ride to the Dandenongs. First stop was for coffee and muffins at Coco's in Yarragon. The next stop was Pakenham for fuel before we headed into the hills via Cockatoo, Emerald and then through Sassafras to Olinda. On the road between Sassafras and Olinda there are a lot of interesting buildings including this beautiful old guest house Rostrevor. Thought I would use this photo which shows the place after snow in 2008. Had lunch at the Olinda Cafe before heading towards Monbulk, Silvan and then to Yarra Junction and Powelltown. One more fuel stop in Yarragon and then home into quite a strong headwind. Altoghether a great ride and a memorable day - a fine finish to another riding year.

Total Distance 332 km.

16 December - Bayswater and Warburton

Rode the back way (Noojee, Powelltown and Yarra Junction) to Bayswater. Zane, who had travelled down by train, was picking up his Harley after some repairs and the idea was to ride to Warburton together and then home also through the bush. Beautiful day today and sitting outside a cafe in Warburton and enjoying an excellent lunch was very pleasant. The ride through the forests and the hills was also spectacular as usual even though it was the second time in a week or so.

Total Distance 355 km.

9 December - Warburton and Yarra Ranges

Left Traralgon at 10:00 this morning on the KLX. I had arranged to meet my friend Marcus in Warburton for lunch and a catchup. The weather was glorious, blue sky, no wind and around the 30 degC.
Arrived in Warburton right on noon and had a very relaxed lunch of toasted sandwiches and coffee. After lunch I followed Marcus up the Reefton Spur road to visit the Upper Yarra reservoir, around a 50km round trip. Riding on a weekday is great because most people are at work, or school and there's hardly anyone around. After the ride to the reservoir it was time to top up the tank at the Shell station in Warburton which seems to be the only one around for quite a distance. After leaving Marcus to return to Melbourne my return trip was back through Yarra Junction, Powelltown. Noojee and Willow Grove. Arrived home at 4:30 after a great day on the bike.

Total Distance 315 km.

2 - December - Up the South Face (of Mt Baw Baw)

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Good weather promised by the BOM so out with the Kawasaki to explore a road I haven't been game to try on the Honda - the South Face Rd from Rawson to Mt Baw Baw. It's quite a spectacular and well maintained road (some 25 km) but all gravel and after recent maintenance the gravel is quite thick in some places. The KLX handled it all OK. Although it was quite sunny, and mild in Traralgon, the temperature at the top of the mountain was decidedly chilly. Had coffee and a toasted sandwich at Kelly's Bar and Cafe before heading down the Baw Baw/Noojee Road. This is of course the main access road and sealed, but very twisty and requires a good deal of caution due to the tight turns, pot holes and wrinkles in the road which emerge once the snow clears. About halfway down I encountered a guy who didn't take enough care because he was standing in the middle in the road, and his cruiser was lying in a ditch at the side. He'd come around a corner too fast and was suddenly confronted with a steep ridge in the middle in the road which threw him to the outside of the bend and into the ditch. We chatted for a bit (he was OK) and would have tried to help him get the bike out of the ditch but apparently he'd already contacted someone who was coming up to help.

The rest of the return trip through Noojee, Neerim South etc was very pleasant and much warmer. Althogether a great ride.

Total Distance 230km.