It’s about time for another decent drive. May 21 to the Rockley Pub via the less travelled scenic route.

2033 Views 77 Replies 13 Participants Last post by ClaudioAntonioli, 7 d ago

Alfanut

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

It’s been a while since our last group drive. I just did a reconnaissance drive for an Alfa Club run I’m planning and thought, with a slight variation, this would be an ideal drive for the 4Cs. Basically heading towards our old haunts but this time going though Burraga on the way to lunch at Rockley….The road surface is absolutely first class. Just shows what can be done when when a solid foundation is prepared for the logging trucks that ply the roads during the week.
Dog Rocks Road has been completely patched too. It’s in much better condition than this time last year.
Easter School holidays, an Alfa Club drive and Mothers’ Day kind of makes me wary of doing this any earlier, though May 7 could be a date. May 21 is the Sunday following Mothers’Day.
Who’s up for a drive?
Same start location as last time, the cafe car park opposite Richmond RAAF base at 7:30 for an 8AM launch. First stop at Monkey Creek for those who only want to do a short morning run up the Bells Line (though you’ll miss the best part of the drive).

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Gilly

· #41 · 13 d ago

Alfanut said:
Hi Adam, Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve spoken to the people at the Victoria and Albert Guesthouse at Mt Victoria and they are opening the cafe early for us (9:15, so they said). Hopefully the fire will be lit. It was when I dropped in a couple of weeks ago. No view, but it was warm in front of the fire. They did SMS me a couple of days ago to confirm if we’ll be coming, so I assume it’ll be OK. If not, there’s a cafe over the road. For future reference, what time does the Halfway Hotel open? See you on Sunday, Cheers.👍

No problem Jim - their web page says 7am on the weekends, I guess this caters for the hotel guests as well.

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Alfanut

Discussion Starter · #42 · 13 d ago

Gilly said:
No problem Jim - their web page says 7am on the weekends, I guess this caters for the hotel guests as well.

How about we stop there on the way back and have a look? I‘ve stopped there a couple of times when out on the bikes with mates….but that was almost 40years ago.

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Gilly

· #43 · 13 d ago

Alfanut said:
How about we stop there on the way back and have a look? I‘ve stopped there a couple of times when out on the bikes with mates….but that was almost 40years ago.

Sounds like a good idea…There are sections of the Jenolan caves Rd and McKanes Falls Rd that definitely worth trip..

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fas74c

· #44 · 12 d ago

Alfanut said:
That daily maximum continues to drop. Definitely Winter woollies weather.
Oberon
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…and can’t you just hear those Turbo’s and Intercoolers licking their lips…

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Alfanut

Discussion Starter · #45 · 12 d ago

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The final forecast before tomorrow’s drive. No rain but jeez it’s going to be on the chilly side. Great for the engines though. See you blokes tomorrow morning out the front of the RAAF base at around 7:30 or so for an 8AM launch. If for some reason you can’t be there please let us know so we’re not needlessly waiting. It should be a great day. Some lovely, empty roads await.

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Cheers. 👍

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Alfanut

Discussion Starter · #46 · 12 d ago

fas74c said:
…and can’t you just hear those Turbo’s and Intercoolers licking their lips…

Really looking forward to this one, Anthony. It’s been too long a time between group drives for sure.

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Alf Alpha

· #47 · 11 d ago

Thanks Ladies and Gents for the fine driving company today, it was a lot of fun 😎

It was pleasing that some of you learned where some of the switches are in your 4C that you haven’t used before 😂

It was the first time some of you have flown low level and in cloud in your 4C’s too. I’m pleased to report that we all emerged from the cloud unscathed. When @Alfanut did his weather forecasting using chicken bones, he told us it would be cold and cloudy - he made no mention of us actually being in the clouds.

The water beading on your freshly polished cars from the rain also looked pretty good.

Photos will have to wait ‘til tomorrow as it’s beer o clock and my legs are tired from working the brake and accelerator pedals all day long.

Cheers,
Alf.

Reactions: 4

Gilly

· #48 · 11 d ago

Great drive and company despite the weather and traffic home on the Great Western…. Thanks again for arranging Jim

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Alfanut

Discussion Starter · #49 · 11 d ago

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Bloody hell Alf, I’ll have to take it up with management. The smart arses at the Bureau thought it must have been a laugh not mentioning the altitude of the cloud base. Once we cleared the tourist roads you have to admit the rest left a smile from ear to ear.

How many times is that we’ve aimed for lunch to have at least one go missing? (We’ll have to get everyone to pass a map reading quiz before the day of the next drive. 😉😲🙄)

Even though some of the roads were wet, by the smiles on the faces, everyone had a ball. Hope to get a dry run next time.

Thanks to all who participated. Seven 4Cs turned up. For those who could but didn’t you missed another classic. For those who did, another one to store in the memory. I appreciate the support of those who came along. It makes all the planning worthwhile.

The Contis are way better than the Pirellis in the wet and Rosie tracked true over all the rough stuff. Very happy.
A few photos….
Regrouping in the clouds at Black Springs.

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Stevens Park, Rockley

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More of Steven’s Park.

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Fas74C

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Some of the lads at Rockley

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Another regrouping stop near Hampton

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Our lunch venue, The Court Room of The Rockley Pub, with fire blazing.

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Alfanut

Discussion Starter · #50 · 11 d ago

Gilly said:
Great drive and company despite the weather and traffic home on the Great Western…. Thanks again for arranging Jim

Yes, Blackheath was the usual Sunday arvo disaster. It flowed reasonably well after that. For me it was time to chill and listen to the footy on the way home.

Glad you enjoyed it Gilly. The roads less travelled are often the most interesting, as was the case today.

Reactions: 3

Gilles27

· #51 · 11 d ago

Great drive with great company as always.
You’re not wrong Adam it took me hour and 20 minutes just to get to Penrith from Blackheath.
Anyhow finally in my flanno pjs lying on lounge with my labradoodle reminiscing the awesome day driving through the clouds.
Edit on the m4 I came across a rx7 rotary and Nissan gtr with rear wings up to the sky wanting to race me
Umm no thanks I let the car do the talking.
Those lines are a class act on the 4C and I have nothing to prove.
Geez Louise what is it with these western Sydney ferals ( no offence to my buddies who live out there cause I’m sure you know what I mean )
Lastly a shout out to Jim for all the prep you put into these drives. We love ya mate!

Reactions: 3

fas74c

· #52 · 11 d ago

Great day out fellas…and a massive thanks to Jim for all the planning of another super route and booking those fantastic venues for morning tea, lunch and the afternoon pit stop.

The drizzle and precipitation did not dampen the mood or the driving ‘brio’ of the magnificent 7 4C’s, with some fantastic stretches carved-up…with barely a Camry or Caravan in sight.

The company as ever is as enthusiastic as are knowledgeable…and I’m already looking forward to the next group drive.

Personally I had never driven in the ‘A’ Mode….so it was a quite an enlightening experience to flick between all modes on full flight. Let’s just say…even with all the Nannie’s on-notice a lot of fun and brisk movement can still be dialled-in.

Oh…and seeing three examples of those delectable, drop-dead group-buy rims in the flesh…how they fill those arches and complement the 4C Styling is just art and perfection happily colliding.

Until the next drive…

Reactions: 4

Alfanut

Discussion Starter · #53 · 11 d ago

fas74c said:
Great day out fellas…and a massive thanks to Jim for all the planning of another super route and booking those fantastic venues for morning tea, lunch and the afternoon pit stop.

The drizzle and precipitation did not dampen the mood or the driving ‘brio’ of the magnificent 7 4C’s, with some fantastic stretches carved-up…with barely a Camry or Caravan in sight.

The company as ever is as enthusiastic as are knowledgeable…and I’m already looking forward to the next group drive.

Personally I had never driven in the ‘A’ Mode….so it was a quite an enlightening experience to flick between all modes on full flight. Let’s just say…even with all the Nannie’s on-notice a lot of fun and brisk movement can still be dialled-in.

Oh…and seeing three examples of those delectable, drop-dead group-buy rims in the flesh…how they fill those arches and complement the 4C Styling is just art and perfection happily colliding.

Until the next drive…

Anthony, I sat near the back of the pack for some of the drive today. It never fails to bring a smile to my face to see a line of 4Cs snaking along a mountain road at speed. What a sight! How sorry I feel for those who’ve sold who have never experienced that sight and the camaraderie that goes with it. It’s very, very special to me. Thanks for coming along and sharing your stories.. The drama of the rear end of your 4C is really something else. I never get tired of looking at it on these drives. (The nose is pretty special too.) A great day.

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EVL4C

· #54 · 11 d ago

Thanks Jim awesome day out, you are a legend👍 the roads were great and yes I actually did learn how to use my cruise control, wipers and that the 4C has modes other than Dynamic all in one day 😂 the food and venues were some seriously gourmet sh$&

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Alfanut

Discussion Starter · #55 · 11 d ago

EVL4C said:
Thanks Jim awesome day out, you are a legend👍 the roads were great and yes I actually did learn how to use my cruise control, wipers and that the 4C has modes other than Dynamic all in one day 😂 the food and venues were some seriously gourmet sh$&

Thanks, Ricky. Your road rocket is pretty unique too. I forgot to ask what the single oval centre exit exhaust yours has. Love the wheels and the stance. I’m sure others who didn’t come had fun with their 4C but it would have been hard to match the roads we were on with NO OTHER TRAFFIC to get in the way, even if some of the roads were damp. Thanks for coming. Much appreciated.

Reactions: 1

Alfanut

Discussion Starter · #56 · 11 d ago

I filled up 2km from home. 30.9L for a cost of $57.00 for 400km of fun (except for the last bit heavy traffic heading towards Sydney). Very few cars can do what the 4C does for so little.

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Alf Alpha

· #57 · 11 d ago

Alfanut said:
I filled up 2km from home. 30.9L for a cost of $57.00 for 400km of fun (except for the last bit heavy traffic heading towards Sydney). Very few cars can do what the 4C does for so little.

My stats for the day:

6.9 l/100 km
441.5 km
71 km/h average (included leaving the car idling on the shorter stops)
6:10 (six hours ten minutes run-time for the engine)
33 litres at the pump when I topped up this morning (with some change from AUD $60)
Time spent with Mates - Priceless

Indeed @Alfanut VERY few cars can do what the 4C does for your soul when you share some time with your buddies on great driving roads.

Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson would have loved that drive, but they would have had a production crew holding them up on those sweeping country roads and wouldn't have had as much fun as we did.

I still can't believe I didn't see that huge hole in the car-park that I dropped a front wheel into and ran aground on 😂🤣😂 Another funny story to tell the guys who missed this drive when we get together again for the next one.

Once again thanks for all of the work you put into doing the recce run and arranging the moody weather for the photos (which I shall post shortly).

Cheers,
Alf.

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Alf Alpha

· #58 · 11 d ago (Edited)

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Alf Alpha

· #59 · 11 d ago

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Alf Alpha

· #60 · 11 d ago

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