Mulhouse Motor Museum
Alsace (France) – Wed 14th Sept 2016 – Rest day in Mulhouse
Weather: 16⁰C min – 30⁰C max, fine, clear blue sky
Another 30 degree cloudless day greeted me when I awoke in Mulhouse this morning, so I dressed quickly and headed into the city centre to start the day with breakfast at a boulangerie patisserie. When I ordered a large cappuccino I was served a mini size cup of strong bitter coffee with a dollop of whipped cream floating on top. Unable to drink it I found a Starbucks around the corner and enjoyed a Grande Cappuccino … Starbucks coffee has never tasted so good – at least you know what you are getting!
Caffeine charged, I unchained my bicycle and rode aimlessly around the city, soon coming to the realisation that there is virtually nothing of interest in Mulhouse … until I decided to visit the Cité de l’Automobile (car museum). Wow!!! Although not a car enthusiast, I was completely blown away by the most remarkable collection of vintage cars, lovingly restored and now on display in the old Schlumpf factory premises. The collection of over 400 stunning pieces dates back from the beginning of the automobile age in the 1890’s to present day Formula 1 cars. Here you can find early Mercedes-Benz, vintage Ferrari’s, Lotus Grand Prix racing cars from the dawn of formula 1, Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts, Alfa Romeo’s, Aston Martin’s, Maserati’s as well as original early model Renaults and Citroens. But the highlight of the collection is the Bugatti’s, the world’s most extensive collection.
The forecast is not good for my 45 Km ride to Basel in Switzerland tomorrow … a 70% chance of light rain and a maximum temperature of only 23 degrees. Still I can’t complain because the weather in Alsace has been about 30 degrees and cloudless every day for the last week. When bike touring you have to take the bad with the good.
Oh Kev you could have purchased one of those vintage cars! Buying one of those vintage cars could have saved you a bike ride in the rain tomorrow to Basel in Switzerland. You would have entered Basel in style and not gotten wet. (wishful thinking on my part).
Congratulations on your excellent narrative and photos covering your 2016 European Bike Tours. Well done. We thank God that you have safely, successfully and happily completed your rides. May the last ride to Basel in Switzerland go well and may the rain hold off. The villages on the different borders would all have very interesting histories (even intrigues) during World War II and World War I – even post war histories. Many films have been made regarding such things.
Love, Nancy
Thank you Nancy. I completed my journey when I arrived safely in Basel this morning.It has been a marvelous experience, and I have been very fortunate with the weather.Even today I was lucky to almost beat the rain, with just some light rain falling for the last 5 Km. My first impressions of Basel are favourable – it looks a lovely town.I will have plenty of opportunity to explore it more because I am staying here three nights with friends,before flying back to London on Sunday. Lots of love, Kevin