Un caffè a Rocca Massima.

It would seem this year we are going to skip spring and summer altogether and go straight back to winter again. You scoff now, but I have a feeling we'll still be waiting for the rain to stop in August.

It has been raining almost every day since the year began, so that's five solid months of rain. How some people can still deny that climate change is real, baffles me, especially when you can see it with your own eyes: it's still raining...

We were supposed to spend the weekend up the mountains again, but decided against it (wisely): the cold, the snow and the rain of last month's adventure were still pretty vivid.

Instead, the German came up with a day-trip itinerary along some wonderful little back lanes in the countryside South-East of the Castelli area. He led the way from Rome to the top of the hill at Vivaro, where I was waiting and spotted the riders approach:

Here are the Four Horsemen:

We still have to fix the worrying oil consumption issue on Witold's Firebird Scrambler, once again a perfect motorcycle for this type of ride and this type of terrain:

We stopped for a bite to eat before heading off again and climbing all the way up to Rocca Massima; despite it being in the area, I had never been there before. Alessio knows some very scenic roads around these parts (notice his British Racing Green Fastback in the photo below, this bike definitely puts the fast in Fastback - mamma mia!):

Massimo has taken delivery of his Commando after some repairs (a punctured oil tank, new rear shock absorbers, etc.) and a major step towards converting back to standard ergonomics: standard footrests and controls, and a more conventional handlebar, albeit one that will be trimmed a little bit shorter. In the photo below you'll probably spot that the right-hand side cover is fitted incorrectly: we noticed too and put it back properly right away.

I really think a quasi-standard Roadster like this one is a handsome and practical machine.
My purple Fastback looks outlandish by comparison:

Ennio's white Roadster sports a single Amal Mk2 conversion, and a teeny tiny modern type ignition coil. This is a cool bike that gets ridden fast and hard:

There are some very scenic spots along the way, the kind that would make for some excellent backdrop to a few glamour shots of our bikes. Seeing as it's close by and definitely doable in just a few hours, I may have to bust out the old reflex camera and go explore a bit more... if the rain ever lets up!

Thanks to everyone who came along, and to Alessio for leading the way, good job.