The THC-AROC spring tour will start at the Whole Foods at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave for an informal breakfast and tire kicking, followed by about 150 miles of mixed twisties and fast paved roads through the heart of the hill country. Along the way, we'll enjoy bluebonnets in bloom, great driving, and a group lunch at the Pecan Street Brewery in Johnson City (Pecan Street Brewing | Brew Pub, Restaurant, Live Music | Texas Hill Country) where "the ballroom" will be reserved for Alfisti and friends.
Please RSVP to me ([email protected]) with the number in your party by Monday April 6 to make sure the restaurant is prepared for the crowd. Tour instructions and lunch details will be sent out in response to your RSVP.
Prelim trip out to check out the scene. VERY pretty. Trees very full and fuzzy. Lots of wildflowers. LOTS of people out! Make sure and book this one. Free breakfast from Peter!
PS: this road was CR2147/CR404 from SH281 to CR410 nearby our place.
The likelihood of heavy rain led to rescheduling this drive to May 23. No bluebonnets, but hopefully dry roads, great friends, and good food. Details will follow.
We braved the very wrath of God to venture out to look at flowers shrouded in mist. As did half of Austin and Houston also apparently. Ran across (twice) a bevy of 40-50 BMW's (and we thought they were the woosies), several motorcycle groups and two bicycle tours. Sprinkles and mist and a bit dreary in AM until crossing the 281, then just overcast, and dry after noon. Not may flowers east of 281. We continued down the 1323 to the Willow City loop which was AMAZING and rewarded us well. It was the highlight of the day. Routed back on the 16 through Fredricksburg and in 290 and soiuth on Old San Antonio Rd to Alamo Springs Cafe for one of those massive "cover" burgers we did on a tour many years ago (and several times since). Still no rain eating outside. No rain all the way back home. Not many flowers south of 290 either. Did 216 miles. You might try and get out in the next week and make it to the Willow Loop road past Wilow.
And a few more pics. On the BMW group we ran into at Stripes in JC, there were virtually no old ones. I did not even see a 2002 or earlier. But they flocked around the Giulia and took pics. What's up with that? We also ran into their regatta on the Willow Loop again and got continual thumbs up. Get out there and drive!!!
Ok, a few more. DO try and make it out if you can. Kristy & I plan several more forays in the next two weeks, Fred wants to join in also. The first one was the worst low water crossing we encountered. It only had about 4" of water. Most were dry. I know, I know Dean, don't rub it in. We wouldn't have minded a little rain as long as LWC's were not flooded and the estimates only showed some 0.25" - not enough to flood. So we ventured out.
The magic of the Hill Country called us too. We where just a few hours behind you Bruce. This was an amazing year for wildflowers. We went out on both April 11th and then again on the 14th on several unpaved roads and had to forge a rocky stream (free car-wash).
Hey you guys, you don't have to wait to get out. The bluebonnets have peaked and are well into seed, but the purple, orange, and yellow wildflowers are now in bloom. Did a 4 hours trip out the NE side of the highland lakes 1431 north of Marble Falls, FM2432, Park Road 4 along Inks Lake, then around the southern half of Lake Buchanan, which is 24' low now at ~30% full. Hit a new fave locals spot on SH29, Tamale King, for some of the best Mexican food I can recall. Then up 261 and back on 29 trough Llano, and east on the SH71 with a loop through some really rustic roads, CR308/310, then a dash home east on SH71. Get on out!
Thanks. A few Alfisti were at lunch yesterday in Blanco after a spirited tour out through some more rural roads, meeting a group from San Antonio. Fred asked if anyone ever commented on these posts. After nearly 1000 hits, someone did!!
PS: Pic of Bob Fernald in his Zen driving state road testing my 69 Spider on a favorite road of his.
In addition to being a great Alfa engine and race-car builder, a respected authority on old Alfas and their lore, a guy who never met an Alfa he didn't like, Bob is also an experienced race-driver. He is the fastest and safest driver I've ever ridden with. Zen is an accurate description for Bob in this photo; when he's "in the zone" he's always several critical turns ahead of where he actually is. Bob is such a smooth driver, that you may not realize that you are going really fast . . . until you look at the speedometer. You read about people being that good. Well, I can attest that he's the real thing. In another time, guys like Bob might very well have been leading "revanooers" on merry chases with a load of moonshine riding behind the seats. As Junior Jonhson is said to have remarked about his moonshine running days . . . "Them trees start gettin' real close together when you're doing 140 . . .". That's Bob.
i've got a '79 Alfa Romeo that I need to have looked at.
i know there's a guy out in Spicewood, but was wondering if anyone knew a good Alfa mechanic in the Austin city limits.
problem: fuel pressure light comes on after engine gets hot and car eventually stalls out.
i've troubleshot and...
I'm so frustrated with this project. Basically, I rebuilt my system using modern components for R134 refrigerant and better performance. To cut to the chase, after borrowing a pump and gauges and vacuuming the system (it held for 24 hours), I tried charging it. However, with almost two 12oz cans...
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