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For the 17th consecutive year, the car-free event, “Happy Mosel,” takes place Sunday along the Mosel River. From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Mosel Wine Street is closed to motorized traffic between Schweich and Cochem. Bicyclists, inline skaters and walkers can enjoy 140 kilometers without having to watch for vehicles.
The official opening ceremony with the minister president of Rheinland-Pfalz, Kurt Beck, starts at 10 a.m. in Leiwen/Mosel (east of Schweich).
Visitors will find an entertaining program along the car-free route. About 50 towns and villages along the Mosel will offer special activities, musical and dance presentations and sports demonstrations. Local vintners, clubs and restaurants will offer a variety of food specialties that are typical for the Mosel region, such as Mosel fish and Riesling soup.
On a stage in Bernkastel-Kues, sports instructors will present martial arts including taekwondo and karate. Children will also have the chance to try walking on stilts, balance across a bouncing bridge and test their strength in rope pulling.
In Trarbach, near the SWR 1 stage along the Mosel River banks, tired bicyclists can get a sports massage to refresh their energy. A bike show with the group Doc Team will demonstrate daring feats on bikes. The band Freddy Wonder will perform from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Brass Machine plays from 2 to 6 p.m.
An arts and crafts market with about 20 vendors will be set up in Enkirch.
In Zell, the show group 7trial will perform acrobatic tricks. Professional cyclists will show what they can do on an obstacle course with music and fire.
In Cochem, guided tours of the castle will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The organizing tourist office, Moselland Touristik, and the Schweich Union Community will sponsor the contest, “Bicyling for charity.” Honorary people and mayors must collect money by cycling as many kilometers as possible. Donations will go to support the care of senior citizens in Schweich.
Moselland Touristik expects more than 100,000 visitors. Polizei, firefighters and the German Red Cross will be in charge of their safety. First aid stations will be set up in various locations and mobile paramedics on bike will patrol the route. Service stations will take care of bicycles with problems.
Although Mosel Wine Street will be closed to traffic, all towns can be reached by car. Watch the “Umleitung,” or detours, and parking signs.
Special trains will travel from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Koblenz and Trier. If space is available, bicycles can be taken along for free.
For more information, visit www.happy-mosel.com.
