Il Giro del Monadnock just keeps on growing! Started as an impromptu Alfa drive around southern New Hampshire’s Monadnock region three years ago, it attracted six cars, although we had a terrific time. Last year, we were up to sixteen—even more fun! This time, we reached twenty-three—word has gotten out!

The day started out in Concord, MA, where Alfisti from the southern climes (Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) met up in the Papa Razzi parking lot for the first leg of the tour. The temperature being rather brisk, the majority of the Spiders’ tops were up when they arrived, but most were dropped before we shoved off. Our nine or ten cars hit the road shortly after 9:30 for a 35-mile jaunt via secondary roads up to Hollis, NH, where we were to meet up with some of the northern contingent.

A couple of miles past where we were to rendezvous (a garden center not visible from the road), we collectively pulled over, scratched our heads, realized our error, reversed direction, and found the place, pretty much right on time. Here, we were met by another six or seven cars and their owners. Our greetings and associated chit-chat were cut short, though, when the garden center staff kicked us out, claiming that they needed the parking space for their customers. Next time, we’ll find a garden center run by Italians!

So we headed off on the morning portion of Il Giro del Monadnock, Rendition III! Tour organizers Guilherme Bonatto and John Percival obviously spent a good deal of time and effort laying out the route for us, since it was all most enjoyable! The drive incorporated twisty back roads, plus some spots where we could get in some spirited sprints. The scenery we took in comprised farms, estates, ponds, views of Mount Monadnock, and (of course) the beautiful New England fall foliage, which was just beginning to reach its prime. The tour included a couple of wayside stops, where we could stretch our legs and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Although we were given detailed directions and maps before we left from Hollis, we all pretty much just followed the car in front of us. However, at one point, it became apparent that we had lost the rearmost half dozen cars off of our entourage. Oh, well—not much we could do—we figured that they would probably find their way to Peterborough eventually. At one of our stops, though, Guilherme decided to change our route to one that would take us back in the direction where we’d lost the others. Sure enough, just as we were about to take a turn, we spotted the stragglers coming from the other direction! So they merged back in with the rest of us, and we all continued on. All’s well that ends well!

We eventually wound our way into downtown Peterborough, found some parking spots, and meandered into R.A. Gatto’s for lunch. Although they didn’t offer much Italian food for an Italian restaurant, the food they did offer was excellent, especially the seafood. On top of that, they were very friendly, the prices were quite reasonable, and they served us quickly (always a concern with a big group eager to get back on the road again). At the restaurant, several more AONErs met up with us for lunch and to join us for the afternoon portion of the tour. In all, we had 23 cars (20 Alfas and 3 lesser cars)!

After lunch, we had a little time to stroll around this pretty town on the banks of the mighty Contoocook River before queuing up for the afternoon leg. Whereas the morning’s route took us over the scenic back roads east of Peterborough, in the afternoon we headed west. Again, we were treated to a powerful dose of New Hampshire’s majestic rolling hills, winding roads, sparkling lakes, and colorful foliage. All on a picture-perfect beautiful fall day!

Speaking of which, arranging for the weather is the responsibility of Guilherme’s wife, Barbara. To say that she always comes through for us is an understatement, since all three Monadnock tours have been held under cloudless, deep blue skies, with bright sun and crisp, bracing autumn air. When asked the secret of her success, Barbara simply replied, “God is Brazilian!”

During our afternoon romp, we again discovered that we lost a bunch of cars off the tail of our serpent. We carried on for quite a while, wondering what might have happened to them. But eventually we spotted familiar-looking shapes approaching rapidly in our rear-view mirrors, and the snake was made whole again!

Our journey included a stop at the top of McDowell Dam, a site that provided sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. It also provided the perfect backdrop for our cover photo (a shot that was duplicated by everyone else present with their digital cameras). Thanks to Joel Edinburg for conceiving the idea and arranging our cars so perfectly! On the way out, though, Nick d’Eri caught the exhaust of his Fiat Dino on one of the speed bumps and pulled a couple of sections apart. A little labor that included wrenches, mallets, and manually lifting up a side of his car got him back on the road with only a few minutes delay.

Around 4:00, we rolled back into Peterborough, parked, and walked to an ice cream shop, the traditional way that Il Giro del Monadnock ends. After spending some time reviewing the day’s mutual experiences (while satisfying our sweet teeth), we climbed back in our fine Italian sports cars (in most cases) for the journey home.

Once again, our gratitude goes out to Guilherme Bonatto and John Percival for planning and carrying off such a highly-appreciated event! And especially to Barbara, without whose complete control of the climate the event would truly suffer. We’re already looking forward to next year!

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	The line-up in front of Papa Razzi’s
	Having missed our rendezvous point in Hollis, we pull over and scratch our collective heads
	A couple of shots taken at a pond-side stop along the route
	This intersection is where we lost a few off the rear
	A stop along a deserted road
	Entering town.....
	.....and leaving town
	Parading into downtown Peterborough
	A few shots of our hungry crew at R.A. Gatto’s
	Staging our cars as we're about to leave Peterborough on the afternoon leg
	Looking leftward as we travel along
	Hope that’s just dust behind you, Kevin!
	What roads!  What Cars!  What foliage!  What Alfisti!
	Some shots of the very fine cars in our entourage
	Tough to stick to paved roads in New Hampshire
	Some shots taken at our stop atop McDowell Dam
	Nick needed a lift to give him access to his exhaust
	Forty-five years separate these two classics
	Gene may have left his Alfa home this day, but the quadrifoglio on his Elise's gas cap shows where his heart lies

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