28 January - Oakleigh and the Dandenongs

Hit the road at 08:00 to check out a faulty air conditioner at Rosa's parents' house in Oakleigh. After arranging for a mechanic to check out the unit headed towards the Dandenongs via Ferntree Gully. Had a very nice lunch at Pie in the Sky at Olinda before riding home through Monbulk, Silvan, Yarra Junction, Powelltown and Noojee. Quite a hot and sunny day and a very enjoyable ride.

Total Distance 285 km.

26 January - Coffee in Mirboo North

Beautiful weather and time for a quick ride. Took the Boolarra Rd up to Mirboo North for a coffee at the Bullock Dray. Returned via the Limonite Road. Short but sweet. Couldn't resist taking a picture of the Honda in front of this painted wall in Mirboo Nth.

Total Distance 100 km.

20 January - Warburton

SMS'd Marcus last night to see if he was riding today. Got a quick response which said "Why not", so we agreed to meet at 12:00 for lunch. The ride over, through Noojee and Powelltown was a bit chilly but it started to warm up by noon. Had a very nice lunch at "Three Sugars" and a leisurely catchup. The ride home was leisurely and most enjoyable.

Total Distance 285 km.

10, 11 , 12 January - Bright and Wandiligong

Departed Traralgon around 10:30 on Tuesday on the KLX250 to spend a couple of nights with John and Marie in Wandiligong. Took the KLX to try out the 50km of dirt road between Dargo and Hotham Heights. Stopped for lunch and fuel at the General Store in Dargo - quite a few cars and motorcycles about. The dirt road to Hotham Heights is a good quality road although corrugated and a bit narrow in some spots. Arrived in Wandiligong around 3:45 pm - quite a good run and only about 280 km from home. Wednesday was a cold and quite miserable day - no bike rides and instead joined the family for lunch at the Beechworth Bakery. Headed towards home this morning at 7:30 and started with breakfast at Beanz (in Bright) before heading up to Mt Beauty and the Bogong High Plains. The weather in the valley was bright and sunny and no wind but by the time I got to Falls Creek it was icy cold and I was riding through clouds a lot of the time. Just as well I was wearing thermals. The grip heaters were running flat out.  After about 30 km of this the descent into Omeo commences and the temperature increased a bit but even Omeo is quite elevated and still quite cold. It didn't really warm up until Swifts Creek. Had lunch at the bakery in Bruthen and made the final fuel (and toilet) stop in Bairnsdale. It was a very windy run from Bairnsdale back to Traralgon via Maffra and Heyfield. Reached home at 2:45 pm. Quite an adventure and the KLX performed faultlessly.

Total Distance 680km.