The European Chronicles 2022.8. Rising From The Ashes

August 08, 2022

The European Chronicles 2022.8. Rising From The Ashes

Rebuilding

The Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum burned to the ground January 18, 2021.

To. The. Ground. Nothing left. It is close to the top of Timmelsjoch Pass, connecting Italy and Austria.

Incredible.

I rode up from the Austrian side last year and rebuilding was in progress, but not completed. Over dinner last week, Christian told me it is back open...I HAD to go, plus the weather in that direction was best. Win, win.

First, arrivederci to Bemelmans Post, a truly great hotel, great staff, food, spa and location. Would return in a heartbeat.

A 30 mile frolic and detour leads me to a closed road and having to retrace my steps, plotting a new route to Timmelsjoch...oh, well, Betty can't get it right all the time. 😎

Easy enough to regroup, and heading up now...

There are tunnels...

From Italia into Austria

Pay your toll here.

You do get some bling for your euro.

Mia parks up, and it is time for some lunch before the museum. Restaurant is back open as well.

The restaurant has been completely rebuilt.

Beautiful outdoor deck, with a kid's playground.

Moto Menu

Moto Hotels

Moto Pizza, with a view

Excellent, and time for the museum!

Up the stairs, turn left, and you're confronted with this:

The instinctive response is, Wow!

Honestly, how is it possible that they rebuilt the museum, the restaurant and acquired all the bikes in less than 18 months? Really incredible.

This will be mostly a photo dump, there are hundreds of interesting bikes.

Let's start with early days...an 1885 Daimler.

The coveted green frame...

Experiments in front suspension

Only a mother could love...

Some eye bleach

Christian mentioned that it was Red Bull money that put Humpty Dumpty back together again. If true, very little "branding," this Motogp bike is almost all there is.