I was looking forward to this day as it was to be the second big ride taking in the top half of the Snowy Mountains. Ben had raided his support vehicle and fitted a fresh rear tyre and rim using bike stands carried in said vehicle leaving the front tyre and rim for another day !!! However just before we were to head off light drizzle started, so on with the wet suits and off we went.

The route included Tintaldra, Tooma (where Derek decided that Melbourne was a better place than the Snowies in the rain), Elliot Way, and Kiandra where we picked up the Snowy Mountains Highway to Tumut. This road is mostly fast sweepers where one eye is on the road the other is used for keeping an eye out for the revenue collectors.

The downhill section into Talbingo needed great care as there was lots of shiny black bits. It is amazing how the confidence rises as the surface colour changes to light brown with no shiny bits. As an aside, road repairs here in South Gippsland have taken a turn for the better: repairs are done in sections instead of patches with often the loose stones swept away leaving an even and grippy surface. Hopefully these repairs will last longer and road worker jobs will not be lost as a result.

Lunch was at Tumut where six wet-gear attired riders squeezed into a booth for souvlaki and thick shakes that did not spill when tipped over. After refuelling the bikes it was on to Gundagai and back to Tumut via Brungle, then to Wondalga were we turned onto a pine forest logging truck road that reminded me of Lavers Hill without the bark. Bruce, who had been rear rider, gave a War Cry and was away taking corners in his own interesting lines. At Rosewood a break was taken where tales were swapped. "Grouse" - said Rhys. Bruce had a well earned fag. That was the shortest 50 km of the trip.

We then headed for Walwa through Tumbarumba, Tooma, and Tintaldra. Ben suggested that as we knew the way home anyone who wished could pass the leader. Funnily, those who did went the wrong way, one turning round when the others didn't follow, the other realizing that a dirt road was not the correct route.

The early finish (4 pm) gave us time to prepare for Dinner. Having already sampled the medium rare steak, mammoth mixed grill and the seafood basket, I decided to have the lamb-steak with mint sauce followed by ice-cream with strawberry topping, Rhys "surprise me" topping of strawberry and chocolate did surprise him. A sporty evening followed with the action being the local darts competition, The Australian Open Tennis, or the day/night cricket game between India and Pakistan.

Having read that one of Geoff Hall's best ten rides was the recently tarred Omeo Highway I was keen to try this way home. Tim and Rhys decided to accompany me when we left in the morning.

Last day. Tim greeted us with the news that he had been talking with some drilling contractors staying at the Hotel. They had travelled up the Omeo Highway (via Mitta Mitta) 4 days ago and noted at least 40 Ks of twisty, corrugated, gravel roads. In their opinion, it would not be a pleasant trip on a bike. We decided to travel the known tarred route to Omeo via Mt Hotham.

After strapping on luggage (except Ben who used his support vehicle) five bikes headed for home. Around the Lake to Granya and across the gap to Tallangatta where Rhys took over the lead to help Ben who is a bit light in the points department and had had an encounter of the Plod kind two days earlier. (Mr Plod played cat and mouse with us, followins,then dropping back, racing ahead, hiding in the bushes. We all survived. .. Ed.)

Onwards to Gundowring North, Gundowring, and Gundowring Upper where Rhys tried to find a new route to Falls Creek but ran into gravel road. (That 's cool Rhys, that's cool.) We back-tracked the 7 km to the Dederang turn-off, refuelling at the BP service station on the Kiewa Valley Highway. The group went its separate ways, Bruce and Ben travelling home via Whitfield and Yea.

Wtim, Rhys and I headed towards Mt Hotham meeting a surprising amount of traffic, including a mountain bike rider and a semi that left little room for Tim to pass. Almost to the top the roads were wet and black. Not a pleasant mix, so care was needed. A quick stop at the top, then down to Dinner Plain for lunch. Rhys, after trying his pasta, decided he was not hungry. Then the roller coaster ride to Omeo and Bruthen. When almost there I found myself behind a ute who decided that to keep in front, he would 4-wheel-drift around corners. A twinkle stop was called for.

We refuelled at Bruthen where it was on with the full wets. Then onto Bairnsdale, Bengworden and Stratford where Tim, who was looking like the Michelin Man, decided the rain had finished, and removed his rain suit. Onto Heyfield, Tyers, and Moe where it really started to rain heavily. At Yarragon it was hard to see so on to the Highway. I turned off at Drouin thinking that this rain would grow the grass to help pay for the great trip, I don't think the others saw the rain in that light.