“People leave with smiles on their faces!”: a nostalgic journey on mopeds in South Aveyron

Benjamin Nicolas et sa compagne Cindy ont lancé Mob12 voici quelques semaines dans le Sud Aveyron. MIDI LIBRE – F.MAYET

Called “Mob12”, the small company offers seven certified vintage two-wheelers (and fully restored) for family or friends getaways of a few hours or a day.

The gray bends of the asphalt pass by to the rhythm of the two-stroke engine. Below flows the Tarn. Soon the village of Peyre and the characteristic silhouettes of the houses clinging to the cliff emerge in the landscape. Nothing is missing from the postcard. Not even a vintage certified moped that goes at the almost unreasonable speed of 45 km/h top speed! Just before Comprégnac a cyclist smiles as he sees the wild and gently backfiring team pass.

"I've been racing mopeds for five to six years. I first bought some to renovate for myself then, one thing led to another, with several machines in the garage I thought about starting a rental business." Benjamin Nicolas, forty-year-old now at the head of Mob12, has as much passion for small mechanics as for these very atypical two-wheelers… and legendary. "Seven machines have been available for rental since mid-July. I live in Saint-Rome de Cernon but I can also organize departures from Millau and Saint-Rome de Tarn."

Adapt to customer wishes

If Benjamin has set rental rates (*), the man also shows great flexibility in adapting to his clients' desires for discovery. " I offer a few circuits but if people want, for example, to go up to the Larzac to see l'Hospitalet, it's possible. We talk about it the day before. In the evening I make an itinerary based on the times (two hours, four hours, eight hours…). The first clients I had wanted to go for a ride on the Aubrac."

As many desires, then, as there are ages. "It goes from 25 to 60 years old."There are two essential rules to be able to ride a moped: be an adult and hold a B license or a BSR (road safety certificate). Helmets, gloves and two-wheeler insurance are provided with each rental. Not forgetting gasoline and assistance if necessary. With the advice of wearing closed shoes.

“Very often, rides create a bond”

Benjamin does not always accompany the rides. “Some prefer autonomy. For an eight-hour rental, people leave quietly in the morning, stop for a drink. At noon they have lunch before swimming…" All this to the rhythm of two-stroke engines until October. Unique in Aveyron – "two exist in Hérault" – Mob12 100% guaranteed a real youth cure. “Everyone leaves with a smile after having wasted twenty years riding one of our mopeds… And, very often, the rides create bonds. Many people who see us pass by come to chat, to tell their moped memories."

Mob12 offers seven fully restored and certified vintage mopeds! MIDI LIBRE – F.MAYET

And Benjamin tells his story of his quest for mopeds. “I have a lot of Motobécane. The brand has changed its name several times. Notably to Mobylette. I often buy wrecks, via classifieds sites or specialized fairs, then I restore them completely. Sometimes the parts are hard to find. On average, it takes a month and a half to get a moped back in working order. Then it's off for at least twenty years!”

Passionate right down to the handlebars, Benjamin also takes part in moped races. “There are three a year near Carcassonne: one lasting six hours, one lasting twelve hours and the third lasting twenty-four hours. We meet in teams of three or four.” Mechanical pleasure tinged with nostalgia.

(*) Vintage mopeds for hire with Mob12. Several options: 2 hours (35 euros), 4 hours (50 euros), 8 hours (80 euros). Reservation by phone at 06 95 80 40 43. Mail : locationmob12@gmail.com I subscribe to read the rest