The 100 Miles of Amsterdam: a rooky report

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As seen from a Salmson VAL3. Driver: Laurens Klein. 'Rooky' reporter/navigator: Rosemarijn Veenenbos.
Mainphoto Wico Mulder; check his fine selection of the event.

Roaring pre-war engines ruling the city centre of Amsterdam, this very special event took place last Sunday-Monday. Of course I am talking about The 100 Miles of Amsterdam. For me it was the first time to participate and even the first time to navigate… With a roadbook with maps from the 1950s, or so it seemed. I realized I was the worst version of 'Denis Jenkinson’ navigating a Salmson VAL3. How to bring the Salmson to the finish without any light from the headlights on the narrow and dark dykes? Well, with a generator that wasn’t charging, but with a bit of cheating using a flashlight, we mastered the challenge until we almost ended up in a ditch! Luckily the Salmson jumped out again.

The most fun was roaring through the empty buildings that once used to be where Citroen Netherlands were established. Today the building is deserted and the organization had the splendid idea to take the rally right thru the buildings. The ramp up to the first floor, where Citroens once used to be parked and serviced, proved to be very popular with both participants and spectators.

Another fun thing after having left Citroën behind us is when you see everyone driving in different directions and apparently no one is having a clue where to go. Especially around the roundabouts - according to Wiki a 1927 US invention which landed in Holland in 1939 -  it was total madness. Also fun, but a bit disappointing, was that several times our friends with the Peugeot 125 from 1905 succeeded in catching up on us, I believe 4 times. They could not go faster than 50 km/h, but with them having start number 42 and the Salmson number 7, this was not a good sign! 

If you ever have the chance of participating or visiting this event, you can be assured to have a great night. It is a great experience to see so much pre-war muscle ruling the narrow streets and bridges of the old city centre of Amsterdam and Haarlem.

(text & photos Rosemarijn Atalante Veenenbos - Crankhandleblog)

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