Driver wanted! Bike-the-Line Tour: Cycling for Peace from Wismar!

Driver wanted! Bike-the-Line Tour: Cycling for Peace from Wismar!

The cycling season has begun and is bringing a breath of fresh air for social projects in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Men from the region are full of energy to do good with sporting ambition. Robert Höller is planning to ride his gravel bike to the North Cape to collect donations for tree projects in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. At the same time, four extreme athletes from Schwerin are setting off and cycling 500 kilometers through the state to generate money for children's hospice services. These initiatives impressively show how sport and social commitment can go hand in hand. Nordkurier reports on other exciting events in the region.

Among the highlights is the upcoming Bike the Line tour, which starts in Wismar on June 27th. The goal is ambitious: At least 80 cyclists should be recruited for the first stage to Schwerin. This tour commemorates the historic events of 1945 when the Western Allies met the Soviet Red Army. Wismar, located on the demarcation line, is the starting point for the route that leads via Magdeburg, Torgau, Chemnitz, Karlsbad, Pilsen and Linz to Vienna. Nordkurier emphasizes that the cyclists are not only looking for sporting activity, but also want to create awareness of peace and the history of the Second World War.

An interplay of sport and history

The Bike-the-Line tour starts on June 27th at around 4:30 p.m. at the University in Wismar. A summer party will also take place there to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Wismar Children's University. Children have the opportunity to accompany the cyclists for the first few meters through the city before the first stage leads to the Teehaus memorial in Klein Trebbow in Schwerin. The following day the cyclists set off for the next stage to Dömitz and Tangermünde. The tour will be documented by a camera team who will capture the experiences. Another attraction is expected on June 30th: GDR cycling legend Täve Schur will take part in the ride.

This event has a deeper meaning that goes beyond the sporting aspect. The cyclists plan to digitally document 80 “points of interest” along the route to highlight the importance of the places. The participants' accommodation costs are also covered through discussion groups and sponsorship. In order to sufficiently finance the project, the crowdfunding platform is used www.betterplace.org used.

From the peace ride to the bike-the-line tour

The idea of ​​organizing a cycling event to promote peace is not new. From 1948 to 1989, the Peace Ride was organized in the former GDR as an important stage race for amateur cyclists. Often referred to as the “Tour de France of the East,” it has left a lasting mark on the cycling landscape. The first peace trip attracted numerous participants who wanted to demonstrate connection and tolerance in a competition. Many memories of this time and the setbacks in history are still alive today. According to Friedensfahrt, the event was very popular in the 1960s and attracted millions of spectators.

The combination of cycling and social commitment, as seen in the current Bike the Line tour, reflects the spirit of the Peace Ride. In this day and age, a strong symbol of community and remembrance is being sent. The final highlight of the tour will take place in Vienna at the United Nations, where an official reception will crown the activities. Registration for the Bike-the-Line tour takes place via www.biketheline.de/de and the University of Wismar.