27 October - Walhalla

Not great bike weather today but I wanted to try out my new Strike Genius waterproof GPS unit.
My last unit was damaged beyond repair when the mount disintegrated at about 100 kph. I managed to catch it and thought it was OK, but when I got home, the screen was shattered. After a bit of research I decided on the Strike unit and I'm very happy with my choice. I'll find out how good the waterproofing is the next time I ride in the rain. So, off for a quick ride to Walhalla. Fortunately the longer I rode the better the weather got and by the time I reached my destination it was fine and sunny and there were people everywhere.

Had a very nice lunch and a coffee at the usual spot and chatted about motorbikes with a couple of guys who came over for a closer look at the BMW.

Total Distance 105km.

19 October - Cowes, PI

The forecast was for a warm sunny day today so the plan was a 10:00 start and a ride to Cowes, Philip Island. Actually the start of the ride was quite cool and somewhat gusty and overcast and for a while I considered shortening it but as I reached Leongatha the skies cleared and the temperature rose into the twenties which was encouraging. From here on it was a lovely ride which culminated with lunch at Gullivers in Cowes. The return trip was via Archies Creek and Kongwak and Korumburra where the bakery (coffee and apricot slice) beckoned - also a half hour stop here gave the bum a chance to recover a bit. The great weather continued for the rest of the day through Leongatha, Mirboo North etc. An oldie but a goodie.

Total distance 330 km.

14 October - Warburton

We've just returned from a five week caravan trip to Queensland ( see www.theoandrosa.blogspot.com)  which means no motorcycling for about 6 weeks. Today promised to be a nice day and so I was pleased when the Beemer started first try. Had an absolutely glorious ride to Warburton via Nilma, Powelltown and Yarra Junction and a great lunch at Three Sugars. The weather just seemed to improve as the day wore on and the ride home was even better. Called in to take a look at Blue Rock Dam which is currently overflowing. I took the opportunity to try out the new Panorama feature which was included in the latest iPhone IOS6 update. You simply scan the camera from left to right and it will automatically save it as a panoramic shot. I hope the same feature will be added to all cameras soon - it works a treat. Got home just before 4pm after a very enjoyable ride.

Total Distance 280 km.

2 September - Fathers Day - Portsea

Yippee!! Second day of spring today and the forecast was for a fine warm day. Zane rang at 8:00 am and indicated he wanted to take the the Harley for a run (the KLX is poorly at the moment) and so we met at the Mid Valley BP for a run to the Mornington Peninsula. It was still cold and foggy at 9:15 but the promise of a fine day steeled our nerves as we headed up to Mirboo Nth and Leongatha. In Korumburra we stopped for morning coffee at the excellent bakery in the main street. From there we proceeded along the Sth Gippsland Highway to Tooradin before turning left towards Rosebud. By then the temperature had risen to 15 degC and the sky was bright blue. Rode all the way down to Portsea before turning back for lunch at a cafe in Sorrento across from the old Continental Hotel. Plenty of people about enjoying the sunshine and the quite summery view out over Port Phillip Bay. It really puts you in the holiday mood and the memories of a cold damp winter are receding quickly. After lunch we topped up the bikes in Rye before heading for home in the same direction as we came. Got home just after 4 pm - a really enjoyable ride.

Total Distance 422 km.

26 August - Ulysses Monthly Ride

Looked out the window this morning and it was not a day I would normally choose to go riding, but the monthly Ulysses Club ride started at 10:00 and as a sign of solidarity I decided to go despite bleak looking skies and gusty winds. When I arrived at the Great Australian Icecreamery, our rendezvous point I was surprised to see about 10 bikes already there. The destination for today was Walhalla which is only a 40 minute ride so I assumed that Bill our ride leader had plans for a longer ride. How about Walhalla via Mirboo North? Yep! up to Mirboo Nth (via Boolarra) for morning coffee at Dalliance. By then the sky was black in all directions and rain seemed certain as we headed off to Moe via Thorpdale and then on to Walhalla. The rain didn't really eventuate and the temperature didn't drop much below 12 degC so not unpleasant really. By the time we reached Walhalla the sky was blue and we sat in a little park eating our lunch. So a really interesting ride, given the road conditions, recent rain, mud and cowshit on the roads combined with quite a strong wind the day was more like an advanced rider course than an outing, but enjoyable none the less.

Total Distance 216 km.

11 August - Dandenongs

Woke up to quite an overcast and chilly day but decided to risk a ride anyway. Had the Beamer serviced yesterday (10,000km) and keen to give it a run. Rode to the Dandenongs via Pakenham, Cockatoo and Monbulk and had lunch in a cafe in Olinda. After lunch I popped into Pie in the Sky to pick up some essentials (Apple and rhubarb crumbles) for desert tonight. The food in this place is outstanding. I'm dying to try the Beef Rendang Pie - maybe next trip. By the time I left Olinda it was drizzling so, on with the wet weather gear which once again worked a treat - the rain stopped immediately. The return trip was via a meandering route through the hills and joined the highway again at Pakenham. 

Total Distance 303 km.

2 August - Warburton

It's been a while since the last ride due to a range of other commitments and some shitty weather. It didn't look to bad this morning although the temperature was only 5.5 degC. Set off at 10:30 for a ride to Warburton and lunch at Three Sugars. The temperature did not rise above 11 degC at any part of the day so the wood fire at the cafe was very welcome. Home by 3:30 after a chilly but enjoyable day.

Total distance 295 km.