Not sure if that was wise or not, but four people were silly enough to come out and join me for Sunday’s ride (including Neill who truly had come a very long way to join the ride) despite the weather forecast so we stuck to Plan A.

I was breath tested on my way to the start point and it started sprinkling rain just as I arrived at Officer, so I donned my wet weather pants as a precaution.  That soon proved a wise move.

Once greetings were exchanged

(My Honda Pan European was outnumbered by 4 BMWs)

and we rode off north into the hills with Andrew doing Tail End duties and we kept the corner marking simple thanks to the small group size. Of course, as soon as we headed into the hills it started raining properly! Thankfully, we were all dressed appropriately but more on that later.   After enjoying some back roads and views around Beaconsfield Upper we joined the old highway at Pakenham and followed it to Nar Nar Goon while riding in intermittent rain and dry spells.

Then it was south into Gippsland farming areas, through Cora Lynn

and more back roads via Heath Hill and Athlone where the rain got quite serious. We stopped for a cuppa at Loch where a very obliging café proprietor provided us with shelter even though they were still preparing to open a bit later for lunch.

We then rode more of the delightful very very green hills

of South Gippsland, joined the highway at Koonwarra and stopped at Meeniyan for lunch and another chat.

While there we also chatted with another couple of riders one of whom was riding an old Honda CX 500.   

(some more Hondas to balance things out a bit😉)

We then rode north via Dumbalk and Mirboo North

(Neill enjoyed his ride with us)

to Thorpdale and some more back roads

(the roads above Trafalgar South)

and joined the Princes Hwy west of Trafalgar.

We then finally encountered traffic as people were heading home from the long weekend.  Once through Yarragon where congestion was caused by traffic lights, the traffic flowed quite well at the speed limit.

We parted company at Nar Nar Goon as I headed into the hills to go home.  The ride home along the freeway was almost sunny but once I entered the hills, I think I found own little winterish storm and it was truly a wet ride home after that.

Once home, I discovered that my old second hand riding jacket now leaks, so it is time for a new jacket before next winter! I had a chuckle, as it reminded me of the riding gear from over 50 years ago which seemed to be designed to collect water, cool it and deliver it to the groin! 

Despite those minor inconveniences, I thoroughly enjoyed the day riding and thanks to Andrew, Cevat, Jeff and Neill for coming along.

The Ulyssean camaraderie and riding (mostly with minimal traffic) were still enjoyable and being Victorians most of us know to always have the right gear for any weather with us.

I guess that I will have to try that route again soon and hope for better weather