Solex ride

What an original activity, riding through the vineyards on a solex! Tom Solex suggested it, so I had to try it out!

We set off in the early morning from the Zotzenberg parking lot in Mittelbergheim. We hadn't even arrived when our guides for the day were already busy testing all the machines, like little bees foraging around their hive, and arranging them next to each other.

By the time all the participants arrive, it's time for the briefing: our guide explains the rudimentary operation of mopeds. How to switch it on, start, stop, switch off the engine, a few safety instructions, and... the excitement builds. He then assigns us our respective Solexes so that we can each make the most of the outing.

First test ride, directly in the parking lot. Having never ridden a motorized two-wheeler before... I found it relatively easy to get the hang of. I wasn't born in the golden age of the Solex, but I jumped straight back in time. Everyone tried their hand, more or less skilfully, and tried to tame their still-cold mounts, then came the moment of departure.

In a cloud of smoke worthy of the good old days, we descend into the streets of Mittelbergheim, then begin a circuit of some fifteen kilometers in total. We pass through Epfig, Blienschwiller, Nothalten and take our first break just outside Itterswiller. It's time for a refreshment break!

Although it's nice to be assisted by the Solex, we have to help it up the steepest slopes from time to time. We take advantage of this stop to admire the surrounding vineyards, and to chat with a few walkers who are surprised to see the whole Joe Bar Team disembarking.

We set off again, hydrated, to make our way a few kilometers further on to the domaine Wohleber, in Andlau. We were met by the farm manager, who gave us a remarkable presentation of the site. You can feel the man's passion for both his profession and the place.

The owner takes great pleasure in telling us the story of the stones, the structures and the various alterations that the previous owners may have made, and that he is now making in his turn. It has to be said that for a building built between the 16th and 17th centuries, there's a lot to tell, and I'm willing to bet that this gentleman will be inexhaustible if you ask him!

Then it was time to accompany us into the tasting cellar. Here we tasted a crémant, a riesling, a pinot noir (which smelled of cherries) and a gewurztraminer called "Cuvée Alice". A delight, really! We couldn't resist taking a few bottles home with us.

Between sips, our host shares a few anecdotes. He explains, for example, that to detect the presence of carbon dioxide it was customary to place candles high up and watch the flame, or that the water pebbles on the floor play a key role in the cellar's hydrometry. Very interesting!

On another note, he expresses his dismay at current wine consumption, explaining that consumers' new supermarket habits are leading to a gradual closure of tasting cellars. Both because of a lack of regular customers, but also because of a lack of successors.

After this interlude, we're back on our bikes for the last few kilometers. This time, it's time to head back, passing through the vineyards one last time, and taking the opportunity to say hello one last time to the smiling people we pass. It's a truly timeless moment to be moving along at 30km/h, lulled by the gentle sound of the 2-stroke engine.

Back to the parking lot, and... it's time for the aperitif-dinner, all local please! Beer, soda, water, breads, planks, condiments... we're right on theme. Alsace with a capital A, it's unmissable! There were so many adventures to tell, and such conviviality! It was the icing on the cake!

In short, if I had to choose just one word to sum up this outing, I'd say "bucolic".

Don't hesitate to do this outing, you'll be warmly welcomed, and you'll have a lot of fun!