Another steaming hot day in The Netherlands

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Last weekend the Dutch (or to some, Frysk) 'Elfstedentocht' was held for cars built before 1949. This year, it was the 31st and it was a warm edition after an extremely cold spring.  The biggest problems were the sun on our white skins and radiators getting warmer and warmer.
The Elfstedenrally (or in English Eleven City Tour) is a tribute to the famous long distance speed skating tour in the north of The Netherlands. This route is about 250 km and you need to get a stamp at each of the eleven cities to get the finisher plaquette. This is no torture as this is arguably one of the best looking areas of The Netherlands.
The most impressive aspect of the tour is the number of participants. With 600 cars & motorcycles on the road in the same tour it's a bit like going back in time. Wherever you look, it's classic cars, classic cars, classic cars  and... classic motorcycles. Parked at gas stations, in front of shops and waiting at traffic lights. The picture is accurate in the sense that most cars are Model A Fords, Citroens (B14, C3, C4) and be it in smaller numbers MG, Riley and Alvis as well.  

Not only the participating cars came in great numbers. Spectators  as well. Thousands of locals are very well aware of this event, this museum on wheels.  From 7 in the morning all along the 150 mile route, people were sitting on the roadside and drinking, eating and having fun.

It was another great Eleven City Tour with lots of fun, great cars and great people. We are happy that there are still that many people who really enjoy the early cars and we would like to know what classic car-thing you did last weekend. Let us know in a comment below.

(text and photos Laurens Klein)

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