BabyG
16-03-2009, 11:19 PM
A few weeks ago a friend Rich and I packed our bags into the 'X and headed off for the tunnel and Europe, it was time to go have some fun in the alps. With my board safely entrusted to my flatmate who was flying over, we endured a crawl out of London before before opening the taps a little through Kent. We weren't quite able to make up the time to get the intended train, so as we disembarked the pressure was on to make the hotel in Leuven in time for the rugby to kick off. We'd arranged this would be a chance for him to try the car (first time anyone else has been in it since I've owned it!), so he gingerly proceeded out onto the Autoroute and towards France. It's quite a step up from his Beemer Compact, and he was being considerate both to the car and my nerves. A couple of hours later Dr Evil on the Tomtom delivered us to the hotel, and we headed in unstressed after a good 6hrs in the car.
After a couple of beers (Stella tastes better when it's at home) over the rugby it was time to hit the hay, we had an early start and a long stretch the next day. Following an early start and a quick check of the car's vitals, Rich took over the driving again, marshalling us through Belgium at a decent cruise, and really getting used to the car. Through Holland and onto the Autobahn, he was well at home and happy to lift the speeds a bit. Settling at an easy 115mph cruise, he was starting to get the taste, and as the traffic was nice and clear he opened the taps a little and was at 130 before he knew it. He couldn't quite believe the way it breezed up there in 5th, and I think he's got the bug.
Anyway, with quiet Autobahns around it was time for some petrol and me to have a go. The route took us from Koln, past Frankfurt and onto Wurzburg, Nurmberg then Munich, before breaking south for the Alps. Some great roads, and pretty quiet through to Munich. There were some really nice runs and a chance to properly stretch the car's legs - it's a credit to him and the NSX that he was a happy passenger well into VTEC in 5th! Not sure I could have done the same.
Munich got busy and we had a bad run through to the Austrian border, where the roads got quieter and a little more interesting. Finally we could break off and hit some of the mountain roads. This took a little longer than planned, as a number of major routes were shut for snow, but we had a good old blat around half of Austria before finally making our way through Zell am See and up to Saalbach. It was pitch black by the time we arrived (HIDs had paid for themselves in a single journey), tired but exhilarated. The first beer tasted oh so sweet!
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/richcracknell/Saalbach/SNC00073.jpg
A great mix of good banter, blue skies and the occasional dumping cloud meant the boarding was excellent. It was soon time to head back however, this time alone. Another early start and I was winding down the mountain roads, unfortunately slick with moisture and with inconsistent grip. This certainly got my attention early doors, and after a refuel for me and the car I was soon on the major roads and on my way to Germany. Traffic was too heavy for anything serious but the car soaked up the miles admirably, and shortly before lunch I was pulling into Zuffenhausen for a well earned break.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/richcracknell/Saalbach/IMG_0325.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/richcracknell/Saalbach/IMG_0329.jpg
And some unashamed porn from Stuttgart...
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/richcracknell/Saalbach/IMG_0305.jpg
The museum's pretty impressive and worth a visit if you're in the area. The building is stunning, and I got a good feel for some of the older Porsche models I didn't know so much about. There was a 917 exhibition on when I was there, with about a dozen different models lined up. Very cool!
Leaving Stuttgart, onto the road up to Wurzburg which is an absolute gem. Open, quiet, derestricted and twisty enough to be feel the handling at speed. Stunning.
I then made my way to and up the Eiffel mountains and into Nurburg. The approach up the hills is an event in itself with stunning scenery and wonderful, empty, well sighted roads for miles on end. Just as well it turns out, as the track was shut (despite advertising as a public day, hmmm) for private testing. Oh well, time for the mountain roads again and the trek back to Calais. Once out of Germany it was time to put the Cruise Control on and eat some miles, which the car delivered wonderfully. Tired but ache free, I climbed out in Calais and waited for the train.
Typically back in Blighty and the hardest driving of the whole trip - hosing it down with rain and pitch black. Grateful once more for the lights, it was a case of getting through it and getting back to London. A couple more hours and it was home for a deep contented sleep.
An unbelievable trip, and my admiration for the car continues to grow. Mountain roads, autobahns and a long cruise all dispatched without hassle, and memories that will last forever.
After a couple of beers (Stella tastes better when it's at home) over the rugby it was time to hit the hay, we had an early start and a long stretch the next day. Following an early start and a quick check of the car's vitals, Rich took over the driving again, marshalling us through Belgium at a decent cruise, and really getting used to the car. Through Holland and onto the Autobahn, he was well at home and happy to lift the speeds a bit. Settling at an easy 115mph cruise, he was starting to get the taste, and as the traffic was nice and clear he opened the taps a little and was at 130 before he knew it. He couldn't quite believe the way it breezed up there in 5th, and I think he's got the bug.
Anyway, with quiet Autobahns around it was time for some petrol and me to have a go. The route took us from Koln, past Frankfurt and onto Wurzburg, Nurmberg then Munich, before breaking south for the Alps. Some great roads, and pretty quiet through to Munich. There were some really nice runs and a chance to properly stretch the car's legs - it's a credit to him and the NSX that he was a happy passenger well into VTEC in 5th! Not sure I could have done the same.
Munich got busy and we had a bad run through to the Austrian border, where the roads got quieter and a little more interesting. Finally we could break off and hit some of the mountain roads. This took a little longer than planned, as a number of major routes were shut for snow, but we had a good old blat around half of Austria before finally making our way through Zell am See and up to Saalbach. It was pitch black by the time we arrived (HIDs had paid for themselves in a single journey), tired but exhilarated. The first beer tasted oh so sweet!
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/richcracknell/Saalbach/SNC00073.jpg
A great mix of good banter, blue skies and the occasional dumping cloud meant the boarding was excellent. It was soon time to head back however, this time alone. Another early start and I was winding down the mountain roads, unfortunately slick with moisture and with inconsistent grip. This certainly got my attention early doors, and after a refuel for me and the car I was soon on the major roads and on my way to Germany. Traffic was too heavy for anything serious but the car soaked up the miles admirably, and shortly before lunch I was pulling into Zuffenhausen for a well earned break.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/richcracknell/Saalbach/IMG_0325.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/richcracknell/Saalbach/IMG_0329.jpg
And some unashamed porn from Stuttgart...
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/richcracknell/Saalbach/IMG_0305.jpg
The museum's pretty impressive and worth a visit if you're in the area. The building is stunning, and I got a good feel for some of the older Porsche models I didn't know so much about. There was a 917 exhibition on when I was there, with about a dozen different models lined up. Very cool!
Leaving Stuttgart, onto the road up to Wurzburg which is an absolute gem. Open, quiet, derestricted and twisty enough to be feel the handling at speed. Stunning.
I then made my way to and up the Eiffel mountains and into Nurburg. The approach up the hills is an event in itself with stunning scenery and wonderful, empty, well sighted roads for miles on end. Just as well it turns out, as the track was shut (despite advertising as a public day, hmmm) for private testing. Oh well, time for the mountain roads again and the trek back to Calais. Once out of Germany it was time to put the Cruise Control on and eat some miles, which the car delivered wonderfully. Tired but ache free, I climbed out in Calais and waited for the train.
Typically back in Blighty and the hardest driving of the whole trip - hosing it down with rain and pitch black. Grateful once more for the lights, it was a case of getting through it and getting back to London. A couple more hours and it was home for a deep contented sleep.
An unbelievable trip, and my admiration for the car continues to grow. Mountain roads, autobahns and a long cruise all dispatched without hassle, and memories that will last forever.