18 February - Dandenongs

The forecast today promised early drizzle and a warm day. Left home at 10:00 on the Honda for a ride to Olinda via Pakenham, Cockatoo, Emerald and Belgrave. The conditions were almost perfect, no wind and the cloud cover disappeared as the day wore on. Spent a couple of hours in Olinda with lunch at the Olinda Cafe. It was very busy and the carparks were full but there's always somewhere to park a bike. The return trip was through Kalorama, Lilydale, Yarra Junction and Noojee, and by then the sky was completely clear. The ride between Powelltown and Willow Grove was just spectacular. Got home around 4:30 after a perfect day on the bike.

Total Distance 330km.

11 February - Grand Ridge Road (continued)

Despite a weather forecast of rain and possible storms skies in Traralgon looked reasonable and so, out came the KLX for a trip to the last part of the Grand Ridge Road from Mirboo Nth to Seaview. All went well until about halfway down the Grand Ridge Rd. As I stopped to take this picture I could see the rain approaching so on with the wet weather gear. That worked a treat because it stopped raining immediately. Had a very pleasant run into Korumburra and as I stopped for lunch at the bakery cafe I ran into three local Ullysians who invited me to join them at their table. We had a great chat over lunch, and I was almost convinced that I should be riding to Mildura in March for the Ulysses AGM. After lunch, the wet weather gear was packed away again and once again it had the expected affect. Between Mirboo North and Boolarra the sky turned black with streaks of lightning. Nowhere to stop to don the gear until I got to Boolarra. This time I was glad I put it on - it poured all the way to Churchill and quite a few lightning flashed too. Despite the deterioration in the weather the ride was very enjoyable. I can certainly recommend this bit of the Grand Ridge Road even on a road bike. There are a couple of stretches of gravel but these are quite manageable.

Total Distance 225km.

4 February - The Grand Ridge Road

Zane and I met in Traralgon South and rode to Balook with the aim of travelling the Grand Ridge Road to  Mirboo North on our KLX's. Shortly after Balook this winding road through the Strzelecki Ranges reverts to  gravel with some of it quite challenging. Mostly it winds through forests of mountain ash and occasionally there are glimpses of rolling hills and farm land. After passing the occasional car eventually it's pretty clear there's not another person around for miles. Definitely a road I would not travel alone - a flat tire here could mean a long walk or a long wait and most likely a night spent in the bush. Eventually though, the bitumen resumes and it's an easy ride into Mirboo North, where we stopped for coffee and cake at the Bullock Dray. A great ride - some time soon we'll complete the next leg which runs from Mirboo Nth to Seaview.

Total Distance 190km.

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.