Tour d’Amitié 2024: by bike to the heart of our French friends

From the Odenwald wine island to the sunny Rhône valley – a journey that moved more than just pedals.

There are moments when Europe is written not on paper but on asphalt – kilometre by kilometre, encounter by encounter. When our four women cyclists gathered on the market square in Groß-Umstadt on 10 October, a palpable energy hung in the air. Seen off by friends and supporters, they set out not only on a sporting challenge of over 840 kilometres but on a mission of humanity. In their luggage they carried not only provisions but also a donation for the “Handicap” association in our partner town. This gesture underlines what our twinning is fundamentally about: solidarity and standing up for one another across national borders.

On the trail of history along the Rhine

The first stage led the group from familiar Hesse into the history of our continent. Via Speyer and Wanzenau they travelled on to Neuf-Brisach. Here, where the Sun King Louis XIV once demonstrated his power through Vauban’s impressive fortress, our ambassadors cycled through a Europe that is open and peaceful today. A special stop was made in Breisach – a town that had already pledged itself to the European idea in 1950, shortly after the horrors of war. These historic places reminded us that the freedom we enjoy today is a precious good. The 330-kilometre stretch of the first days was marked by the joy of discovery and the awareness of treading historic paths that once divided and today connect.

When rain strengthens togetherness

But such a Tour d’Amitié is no mere fair-weather pleasure. On the way from Montbéliard to Dole and onwards towards Chalon-sur-Saône, autumn showed its rough side. During the ride along the picturesque Doubs and Saône, our women cyclists were put to a severe test. Muddy gravel tracks and heavy downpours challenged body and mind, and when a rear tyre gave up as well, team spirit was called for. This is exactly where the value of strong support showed: thanks to Reinhold and Ulli, who were on hand as the support team with dry jackets and technical help, even this hurdle was overcome. Doris, Anne, Barbara and the whole team fought their way through the mud – motivated by the knowledge that friends were waiting in Saint-Péray. These stages taught us that together you can get through stormy times too.

Arrival in the light of friendship

As if ordered, the sky cleared for the final stage from Mâcon to Saint-Péray. In brilliant sunshine and with the majestic panorama of the vineyards before their eyes, the women approached their destination. A goosebump moment occurred as early as Châteaubourg: a group of French cyclists was waiting there – exactly the men who had cycled the reverse route to Groß-Umstadt the year before. That they now came to meet our ladies to ride the last kilometres together is a wonderful symbol of the reciprocity of our partnership.

The reception in Saint-Péray was warm and overwhelming. Members of the local committee, the mayor and many friends received the delegation with open arms, flowers and the obligatory toast. The partnership, which has existed since 1966 and is based on wine growing and culture, was revitalised that day by sporting ambition and human warmth. The evening ended at the restaurant “Auberge de Crussol”, where over good food and French wines the exertions of the journey were quickly forgotten. It is on evenings like these that we feel that Groß-Umstadt and Saint-Péray have long since become one big family.

Become part of our European family

This trip has shown that twinning is far more than official signatures in golden books. It is sweat, laughter, mutual help and shared experiences. Have you developed a desire to experience such moments yourself? Whether sporty and active, culturally interested or simply curious about other ways of life – our Twinning Committee offers you many ways to feel Europe up close. We warmly invite you to become part of this living friendship, whether on the next citizens’ trip or as an active member of our association.