Bike Day on the Deutsche Weinstraße (Pfalz)

Every year, the Deutsche Weinstraße (Wissembourg in the south to Bockenheim in the north, 85 km) kicks off the cars for one day to let the people get out and walk, ride and roll through some of the country's more spectacular scenery while sampling the region's finest product: Wine.

This year it's Sunday, August 31st.

More about the Deutsche Weinstraße here and here.

And info on Bike Day (Erlebnistag Deutsche Weinstraße) here.

I can't recommend it enough. We'll be starting somewhere north, riding south through wine-making mainstays such as Bad Dürkheim and Deidesheim before wrapping it up in Neustadt an der Weinstraße. Neustadt is well-connected to Mannheim, Heidelberg, Kaiserslautern, Karlsruhe, Speyer, Bad Dürkheim and Landau, so if you're anywhere around these parts, you should really get out and do this.

If anyone wants to join us, please let me know.

(I will post this in the BW section as well.)

Can you inline skate as well? I just bought some and have only used them once or would biking be better?
Did you post this in the BW forum as well? It could be an article for the front page if you find a pic! You get TT bonus points

The response to this thread is phenomenal! Look at all you bikers! I don't have the time to respond to all of you, but I will respond to the sole inline skater:

Elfenstar... Yes, you can inline skate, but I would recommend biking, as we'll be covering nearly 30 kms. A lot of it is downhill (gradual), so sitting back and coasting is nice (tough to do on skates). I have pictures, but you'll just have to come to see for yourself.

We'll be starting this Sunday at Neustadt an der Weinstraße Hauptbahnhof around 11 a.m., taking the train north to Freinsheim, and slowly riding south back to Neustadt. Last year we started just south of Freinsheim around 12:30 and rode past Neustadt (still not sure why, because riding past Neustadt involved a steep hill) and we finished around 18:00. That included a lot of breaks along the way. If you're not up for the whole thing, you can always hop on the train at any point back to Neustadt for a connection home.

Let me know if anyone wants to meet up. And PM your contact info if you want to meet up but can't make the start in Neustadt.

Hope to see you there.

So this is the thread Elfenstar wanted me to announce this on. She knows a hot thread when she sees one. I could have started a new thread, clean slate, expectations unimaginable. Unpredictable. Just how awesome is this event? Could this be the best day of my life?

This is post four. Posts one through three took place roughly a year ago. Two were by me. One by the aforementioned Elfenstar. But do not let appearances fool you, TTers. This is a hell of a day on the Deutsche Weinstraße.

It's Erlebnistag Deutsche Weinstraße time again! This year the wheels are in motion Sunday, August 30. Really nice page on it (in German; surprise surprise) here.

The info above is still correct, other than the date, so I see Elfenstar's point, but still...

Maybe she wanted a picture:

The Wine Queen in the only motorized vehicle allowed.

I had better photos from the previous year but there's been a hard drive replacement in the meantime and... well, you know.

Get on your bikes and ride!

yeah sounds like a deace day out for sure, me and my girlfriend will be keen for sure!!
Peace

in the year past, a few friends and i met at MA Hbf, took the train to Bockenheim an der Weinstraße, then made our way down to Bad Dürkheim to meet up with bohemka, et. al. where we all then gaily journey together to Neustadt. it was a lovely day. i've already pencilled it in my calendar for this year.

One week to go! Do yourself a favor and clear next Sunday's plans and insert this. If you live anywhere in the area it's a must-do event. If anyone has any questions regarding transport, the route, recommended stops, etc., let me know.

I would LOVE to do this and we have even talked about doing this. But this is the one weekend in August that I can not get away from Munich

Perhaps next year!!

I know! Sorry to hear it. Plan on it next year for sure. In the meantime I promise to post the absolute worst pictures I'm able to take to lessen the disappointment.

Five days. Five measly days. I'm here for all questions and convincings. Dare to give me an alternate agenda for Sunday and I will prove it invalid. It'll be a wonderful day.

what does your route look like this year? i think we might start again in bockenheim or grünstadt, then make our way down to neustadt, but perhaps then cycle on farther, not sure. i have some on the tour who want to do a lot of drinking, some who don't want to go more than 50 km, others who would be happy with just 20.

Great to hear you're doing it again. I figured you'd be repelling into a volcano in South America, just to capture enough hot air to balloon back to Europe.

I think we'll be doing the same route. The southern part is certainly nice, but it's tough to pass up the mainstays of Bad Duerkheim and Deidesheim. And Wachenheim and Forst are really nice as well. Plus, it seems more downhill than up. Maybe that's the schorle talking, but it does. And there's a nice spot in the middle of the vineyards where my friend has friends from his home town (Niederkirchen), so that's always been a fun stop. Five schorles for 10 euro. Good tip for the drinkers. And unsurprisingly that's where our day has ended in previous years.

If you do head south past Neustadt, there's a bit of a bummer hill up to Hambach, but once you're past that it's downhill to Diedesfeld and then on to Maikammer and Edenkoben. And beyond. Nice towns, but I think we'll stick to what's worked. You could probably catch a train directly from Landau home, though, if you do head down that way. But check that.

You've got my number. Buzz me when you're flying by this year.

Only one shopping day left until Deutsches Erlebnistag. Schorle Power!

Edit: I suppose I should include some info...

We're taking the train from Neustadt north to Grünstadt (just south of Bockenheim, where Elfenstar will likely start) at 11:05. And then we'll merrily ride south, sampling heavily. It's really as simple as that. And it's a blast.

The edit strikes back: Thanks a lot, mod teamers, for putting this on the calendar.

Forecast for tomorrow: Sunny skies. High 21C, humidity 35%. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: 5

I'm really sorry that the air quality is not available, but I hope that doesn't deter anyone. I can attest the air quality is quite fine. Come on out!

Hey
Will look you up when I get there tomorrow.