Last Wednesday - 3rd March - dawned a fantastic autumn day. It is the best time of year around here, and so I saddled up the Burgy for a short day's ride.

By the way, the Burgy has a name now; since new, I have been trying to get one to stick and finally, one has - he is now known as - GRAHAM.... (well it's mostly grey.)

We live close to the foothills of the Victorian Alps - lots of fabulous rides to choose from - today I decided to ride the Redbank Road, described in road guides as one of Australia's best rides. From here in Albury, via Wodonga and the road to Tallangatta, turned off to Gundowring and I was on the Redbank Rd although it is not called by that name until further on.

The road is not busy; just some local farm traffic, winding along the eastern bank of the Kiewa River (the Kiewa Valley Highway is the busy one, on the opposite side of the river). What can I say? The road was good (all bitumen surface); the air was balmy; the sky blue; the scenery a knockout, river flats leading me towards the bigger mountains in the distance.

Called in at Ceccanti Winery, close to Mount Beauty. It is a tiny family owned winery with a low-key restaurant - lovely dining area under the big shady trees - but closed on Wednesdays! Apparently it is a good idea to book, they get very busy sometimes, and I can see why. Cellar door sales of their own wine, and a Tuscan-style menu.

On to Mount Beauty, at the foot of the mountains, and I know it is all alpine riding from now on, so I turn around and head back to Tawonga, where I have lunch (a home made egg-and-bacon pie) from the very friendly Old Tawonga Store. Good spot for lunch or coffee, limited menu but good bakery-style stuff.

The road home is along the Kiewa Valley Highway, and it is similar to the Redbank Road, but a bit better road construction although much much busier. Plenty of nice bends, a mixture of straights and hills, up and sown.

Home mid afternoon - a great ride, about 240 km total distance, easy and fun. I can hardly wait for my next opportunity!