Montbeliard: The Peugeot Musuen

August 31, 2017

KEN writes

After we got into the hotel yesterday afternoon the temperature began to drop. Then there was some thunder and the most amazing downpour and wind, I certainly felt glad we were not out there and felt sorry for the poor cyclists still on the route. I guess the canacule was over.

For many days there has been forecast rain for all day Thursday. We were anxious all night and woke to low temperatures and light rain. Tricia in particular was keen to press on so after a very French breakfast we were loaded and off. Easily back on the track we had an early off but mostly did very well helped along by a tail wind

Parts of the gorge we were going through were very nice. Brown and white dairy cattle, some chamois and lots of maize and misty rain which didn't bother us much. By nine we had done 29k and happened on an opening bar with a large dog taking an interest in the customers

Back on the track we sped on and by eleven had done over 59k. We had had bad trouble getting into Montbelier last time so were taking extreme care and this time reached the centre on canal paths. We were there at twelve and tried hard to find the tourist information to get a map to find our hotel and the Peugeot Museum. Eventually Tricia got a route on her phone, we began to see signs and got there at one.

One of the aims was to get to the Peugeot Museum and it was right next to the hotel, so without changing we set off and headed for the bistro there. I expected to get a sandwich and coffee but that was not on offer. The seating was full and people were having a real meal. Someone next to us was devouring a pigs knuckle and everyone was having a large meal of several courses. We settled for what I thought would be simple and cheap - a hamburger - that too was fancy and enormous.

After that it was time for the museum itself. The Peugeot family started in the 1860s making coffee grinders and washing machines. As the first cars, motorbikes and bikes started to be made they joined in before 1890. Their first cars had a Daimler V twin motor but shortly after they started making there own 2 cylinder motor. In the early years of the twentieth century they were making a range of fine machines including the Peugeot Bebe designed by Ettor Bugatti. They did make Knight sleeve valve engines from the twenties to early thirties but returned to poppet valves. Some of the late twenties cars are very impressive but not very innovative. Thirties cars were elegant and post war cars well made and durable. The first Peugeot to come to NZ in any number was the 203model with worm rear diff and a great reputation for performance and durability

Peugeots have become very common in NZ. The museum didn't go into other things like some years ago they took over ailing Citroen and they have flourished since and in the last few months when GM disposed of all its European car making they took over Opal and Vauxhall

I have been for a walk to find the way on and seen trucks pouring out of the factory loaded with cars.

The shut tourist information but I did hook on to their WIFI

The V twin Daimler engine first used in the Peugeot cars

1937 2 litre two seater - the same model came 5th in Le Mans that year

6000 of these trucks were made for the French Army in WW1

Today's ride: 69 km (43 miles)
Total: 1,405 km (873 miles)

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