WDC Pavilion in Rheingau

Die Eroica Germania im Rheinhgau – was hat das mit Design zu tun?

For nine years, several hundred people have gathered every August in Eltville-Erbach to celebrate Eroica Germania, a festival dedicated to cycling culture.

The highlight of the event is a shared ride – not a race – on classic racing bikes under deliberately old-fashioned conditions: steel instead of carbon, cumbersome gears, basic brakes, and baskets instead of clip-in pedals.

Why do people voluntarily choose this seemingly inconvenient way of getting around? What is the appeal of a bicycle powered by muscle rather than motors, offering no protection from the weather and often viewed rather negatively by other road users?

Uwe Buhrdorf, one of the organisers of Eroica Germania, takes the audience on a journey through the history of the Italian L’Eroica on the day before the start of the ninth edition. The event explores the origins and philosophy of cycling and bicycle racing, bicycles as design objects, community and identity, the special connection to Riesling wine and much more.

Of course, there will also be historic racing bikes to see and to touch.

English: Free ice cream while supplies last!