The German authorities have reacted well to the threat of the COVID-19 virus and have recognised the need to slow the spread of the disease. One emphasis is on "social distancing", i.e. you keep well away from others just in case they are suffering from the disease. This has led to nonessential meetings by clubs, etc. being cancelled.
Just as examples:
- All of the Heidelberg University Hospital public lectures, coloquia, symposia and the like have been cancelled for the present or at least postponed.
- The Mannheim Maimarkt, an Ideal Home and Agricultural Show that should have started at the same time has been forbidden by the Mannheim City authorities for the first since WWII. It is a large show with up to 340 000 visitors and 1400 exhibitors. It goes on for eleven days. The Maimarkt is however of little interest to cyclists, though of considerable importance for the regional economy.
- The ADFC (German Cycling Club) has cancelled its programme of regular meetings and all local cycle tours.
However SPEZI should have taken place in six weeks time. SPEZI is a major cycling exhibition held in Germersheim, Rhineland Palatinate. Actually for us SPEZI is the major cycling show. It is the world's largest show for recumbents, recumbent tricycles, quadracycles,
folding cycles, tandems, family cycles, velomobiles, transporters,
electrical bikes, special needs bikes, adult kick scooters, child and
load trailers, customised designs and accessories. SPEZI has been postponed until August. The SPEZI organisers hope that by that time the illness will have passed its peak and we can all attend the show. Keep an eye on the SPEZI website: https://www.specialbikesshow.com/welcome-to-the-spezi.html.
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| A view of the main SPEZI hall in Germersheim in 2015 |
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