Europe’s largest biker party carries Switzerland

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It’s a tradition: Europe’s biggest biker festival – Love Ride Switzerland – always takes place on the first weekend of May on the grounds of the disused military airport in Dübendorf ZH. A charity event with a shared ride of enthusiastic motorcyclists and people with physical disabilities.

After its 30th anniversary last year, around 10,000 cyclists are expected again next Sunday, with around 7,000 motorcycles, sidecars and tricycles from all over Switzerland and neighboring countries. May 7 is dedicated to fundraising for people, especially children, who suffer from muscle disease or are disabled due to another physical disability in daily life.

philanthropy from passion

No wonder that the first Sunday in May, especially from 11:00 am, the joint “ride” via Zurich Unterland and the Oberland is the highlight of the year for disabled passengers as well as for many charitable two- and three-wheeled vehicles. drivers. “It’s nicer than Christmas,” says many of the people involved, such as Bruno Leutwyler (58). The Passion Fire guitarist has been helping out voluntarily since 2006 and is currently the President of Love Ride Switzerland. “For May 7, above all, I wish good weather, a large number of visitors sending signs of solidarity and adequate travel opportunities for the disabled.”

Big bikes, big heart

The sparkling and grateful eyes of the mostly young passengers are a source of motivation for the more than 600 volunteers, as well as for the many cyclists who come to the Love Ride in Dübendorf each year, whatever the weather. “It’s great to make these people forget that they can’t move for a day,” says Hanspeter Weiss (67). Zurich lowlander has been joining the Love Ride with Suzuki team “Red Liberator” for 25 years. And despite coming to Dübendorf from his vacation in the Swabian Jura, he will be there again this year.

Triker duo Ursi Camen (67) and Christian Anderwert (67), who have been on Love Ride for nearly 20 years, have a similar experience. They only taste it when they’re spectators, and they’ve been actively participating in the almost endlessly long parade for 13 years. “In 2010 we realized our dream and bought a tricycle. Since then we’ve always been there – in any weather,” Ursi and Christian proudly say. Definitely next Sunday too.

Source: Blick