Die Klassik-Weltmesse Essen and round Holland on the Clown Bike - Day 1

 It’s that time again! I hope that it’s somewhat less controversial than last months to the IOM! On the back of the successful trip to Retromobile in Paris with Jean last year, the other great European classic car show, Die Klassik Weltmesse, is held every April in Essen. Looking at the map it didn’t seem that far away via the Hull Rotterdam ferry, the dates worked out OK for work and after asking the family if they wanted to come with me (they didn’t!) an itinerary was planned. As I’d be driving past Utrecht on the way back, it seemed rude not to visit, and to do so I’d have to take a bike! Then it’s not too far from Amsterdam so I could cycle there and check out the much vaunted cycling infrastructure, cycle back to Utrecht and get the ferry home. Classic car show, road trip in Jean, ferry’s and some cycling, perfect!

I’d been looking out for the weather all week and true to form with me and ferry’s it was looking decidedly horrible for the 12 hour crossing late on Wednesday night. With crystallised ginger, (cheers for the tip Dec!) and Andi’s anti sickness bracelet on, Jean was packed, the Brompton serviced on the drive and off to Hull we went in the driving rain and gale force winds. I’ll admit driving a tall, narrow, slab sided old car with 29hp isn’t the ideal thing for strong winds, but she’s a trooper and with an unusual lack of drama the 70 miles were dispatched to Hull and we were in the queue for boarding with half an hour to spare. 

Once on board the cabin was basic and small but fine, I got my bearings and risked something to eat, knowing I’d be probably seeing it again soon! As the cabaret got started with a truly excruciating magic act, I tried to find somewhere quiet to read my book. Stumbling on the Chelsea game in the Irish bar while the singer was murdering a succession of ballads I had an hour then toddled off to bed just as it was getting rough. To be honest, it wasn’t that bad and all of a sudden the wake up call through the tannoy was going off and we were pulling into Freeport, Rotterdam. Man the weather was terrible! Braving the wind and rain to get on deck and watch our approach, I was hoping Jean would be OK in this on the 170 miles to Essen. 

Through passport control, though and off on the dual carriageway to Rotterdam and the torrential rain stopped and as always when starting driving in Europe, after the first 30 minutes of abject terror, you get used to it! Slipstreaming the trucks from the ferry, she got up to a steady 90 kph and we settled in for the trip. With not much to see apart from some impressive wind turbines and lots and lots of heavy industry, we were out of Holland and into Germany where the issue became getting used to cars doing 80 mph faster than your going!!! Just under 4 hours from getting off the ferry, we pulled off the autobahn into Essen and only a few miles later were into the “classic car” car park right in front of the show, we were here!

I know most of you aren’t here for the cars, but the show was massive, like 3 or 4 times bigger than the NEC and there were cars there I’d never even heard of, never mind seen. I had 5 hours of gawking and taking pictures, I think I got round most of it (30,000 steps my Garmin said!) and for the €25 it was a bargin! As they kicked my out with my model of Jean I bought (slightly wrong colour so Mizz will have to get her enamel paint out!) back to the car and to the hotel in one of the less salubrious bits of Essen. Checking in with my crap German ( I know enough to ask for things, but when they reply in German I fall to bits…) the sun had come out and it was out on the bike to have a quick spin round to see what Essen had to offer.

Oh my. After 10 miles I finally found something that wasn’t covered in graffiti or rubbish to take a photo in front of. I knew it was the heart of the Ruhr and had a big industrial history but it looked absolutely on its arse. Coming back out of town and back up to the exhibition centre, I finally stumbled upon a nice bit near Bismarkstrasse which had a better vibe. It was getting dark now so a quick pedal back down the hill, drop the Brompton off and add to the days steps by walking back up to find somewhere to eat. 

1 pint of very strong German larger later and a lovely prawn courgette spaghetti later I was planning my day for tomorrow. Weather’s going to be lovely so might have a spin out in the morning, then I want to visit the Zollverein world heritage site, before leaving Germany with Jean taking me to Utrecht for tomorrow night. Closest I’ve come to a police van today was the VW T25 at the show…😁