Wednesday 23rd May 2012 Bairnsdale to Colquohoun return 95km

It's amazing how much easier it is to ride when the gradients are gradual and you are not loaded up with heavy panniers. We did 95kms today and didn't feel all that tired afterwards. I think this trail (East Gippsland Rail Trail) is just as good as the Wangaratta/Bright trail - we've thoroughly enjoyed the ride today.

Tuesday 22nd May 2012 Bairnsdale

Today we drove from Everton through Mount Hotham to Bairnsdale, which is the start of the East Gippsland Rail Trail.

It was interesting to see Mt. Hotham which was quite a hive of activity in preparation for the forthcoming snow season. We climbed ever higher from bright sunshine into thick cloud and 2 degrees c. at the village. There was no sign of any snow yet, but I'm sure that it's not too far away.

Monday 21st May 2012 Everton to Wangaratta return 74km

Another excellent ride. We explored Wangaratta and found it to be quite cycle-friendly and pleasantly safe.

Sunday 20th May 2012 Myrtleford to Bright return 64km

We drove to Myrtleford and then cycled on to Bright. Bright is just as impressive as Beechworth. So far, this has been the best cycling that we have done.

Saturday 19th May 2012 Everton to Myrtleford return 54km

Beautiful ride through the autumn-coloured scenery. Very easy and delightful weather!

Friday 18th May 2012 Everton to Beechworth return 51km

Country Victoria is really very beautiful. We are now based in Everton while we do the Murray To Mountains Rail Trail. The whole trail has been tarred (hard sealed) , so it is much easier than the gravel rail trails that we are accustomed to.

Today we cycled 19 km uphill to Beechworth and then explored the very pretty town. Beechworth is the most delightful town we have visited in a very long time. All the trees in the area are displaying classic autumn colours, and the whole appearance of the town is very nice. It looks like it should be a movie set.

Wednesday 16th May 2012 Warrandyte, Melbourne.

Well, we had to cancel our last ride from Georgetown to Launcestown, when I got a dose of food poisoning from a local small takeaway. I thought that I was having a heart attack - breathless, sweating,nausious, clammy and unable to even stand up!

We spent a few very pleasant days with Chas and Fiona in Launceston, and then caught the ferry back to Melbourne and then drove on to Warrandyte. Warrandyte is on the outskirts of Melbourne and at the eastern end of the 43km Yarra bike trail which leads all the way to the centre of the city. We did the 86km return ride yesterday and found Melbourne city to be very pretty, especially along the river and in the parks.

Sunday 6th May 2012 Bridport to Georgetown 58km

Another beautiful sunny and still day. The ride was very easy with only a few minor climbs. Georgetown is at the mouth of the Tamar river, with a few 19th century buildings. We are going to spend a couple of days here to regather our strength, and then do the last ride back up to Launceston.

Saturday 5th May 2012 Derby to Bridport 55km

We woke up to thick fog in Derby, but the day turned out to be bright sunny skies. We cycled via Scottsdale which is another pleasant small town. There were a few climbs today, but nothing too difficult.

Bridport has a very nice coast and lovely beaches. I can see why it is so popular.

Friday 4th May 2012 St. Helens to Derby 75km

We were apprehensive about this ride, because it goes from sea level to 600m a.s.l. in about 45km then back down to about 150m a.s.l., but it turned out to be most enjoyable. The climb was very hard, but well worth it. We find the forests and the rolling farm lands more beautiful than the dense forests in the west coast. I think that today has been one of the hardest rides, but definitely the best ride.

Wednesday 2nd May 2012 Bicheno to St.Helens 78km

We spent the whole trip cycling in the rain. Fortunately, there was also a strong southerly blowing for most of it, which made it quite a pleasant ride. It's amazing that when look out the window of your warm cosy motel room at the rainy day it looks daunting, but after 10 minutes of setting off it is actually not unpleasant at all. We have really good rain protsction gear, but somehow we were still thoroughly damp when we arrived in St. Helens. My phone got wet which is a bit of a worry. I'm going to dry it out for a few days before I switch it on again.

St. Helens is a busy and attractive town which sits on a big sheltered bay. It is the first small town that we have come across that seems to be buzzing and booming.