With the Vespa through Middle Hesse: Adventure and helpfulness at the GVR

With the Vespa through Middle Hesse: Adventure and helpfulness at the GVR

This year's German Vespa Rally was a colorful festival of enthusiasm for the popular Italian cult vehicle. From August 21 to 23, 2024, Vespa fans from various parts of Europe gathered in Gießen to continue the eleven-year tradition of the event. The Vespa Club Gießen took over the organization, and although it did not go according to plan, the atmosphere was characterized by a warm willingness and fun.

The couple William Vanderstuyft and his wife Mia from Belgium could not take part in the Rally as originally planned. On the way to Gießen, they had to take an unpleasant forced break in Gummersbach after their car had a breakdown. Instead of transporting their vespas by car, they loaded them down and finally drove to the scooters to the sports hall on the Ried in Wieseck. "We have already covered many kilometers on the Vespa, but we haven't had such a situation yet," says the experienced driver, who looks back on an impressive number of kilometers of 12,000 on his 64 -year -old motorcycle.

Surprising unsubscribe and a lot of joy

When the event started on Friday evening, 60 participants were originally registered for the Rally, but unfortunately the Italian guests had to cancel at short notice, which reduced the number of participants to 28. Despite these setbacks, the participants came from different locations to face the challenges of the rally. Anton Hüttl from Linz was particularly proud of his “Struzzo” built in 1954 and even came home with a price. The participants enjoyed the traditional Italian Vespa culture and the conversations about their beloved scooters.

Andreas, all of which only speak as a "muesli", provided laughter with his red nose and happy sayings on the way to the start. Christopher Kolb, the only participant from the Gießen region, was there for the first time and made it to the top ten in his category. A remarkable performance that made the team spirit clear among the vespa -drivers.

The participants had to cover a total of 240 kilometers in two days, of which the first day included 170 kilometers. Andreas Hübbe, who traveled on his PX 80 from Hamburg, appreciated the picturesque backdrop with the small villages that were on the route: "Every village is like a little fairy tale," he enthused during the break.

help in need and fair play

In the middle of the competition there were also challenges. One participant had a fall and had to be taken to the hospital while another driver in Rauschenberg had to deal with a defect in his scooter. The scene illustrates the community among the Vespa lovers: several participants stopped to help, even though they missed parts of the competition. Her selfless behavior was later awarded the FairPlay Prize.

Despite smaller complications, the rally was celebrated as a great success. The President of the Vespa Club Germany, Christian Laufkötter, emphasized at the award ceremony that it should not only be about the competition, but above all about fun. This thought was fully divided by the participants, among whom the secretary of the Vespa World Club, Marco Manzoli, was present. The winners were celebrated with much applause and finally started their journey home.

an unforgettable experience

Despite the challenges that existed, the German Vespa Rally 2024 remains as evidence of the passion and community spirit of the Vespa drivers. It was not only a meeting of like -minded people, but also a celebration of the Italian way of life that is lived behind the handlebar of a vespa. The events seem to embody the heart of the Vespa culture, while participants such as the Belgian couple Vanderstuyft and many others will continue to fall in the future to fascinate the cult scooter.

background of the Vespa rally

The German Vespa Rally is an established event that brings enthusiasts and lovers of the legendary Italian scooters together. This rally has now become an important social and cultural event in the Vespa community. The first rally took place in 2014 and has continuously developed since then. The event not only promotes the exchange about the fascination of the Vespas, but also strengthens the community among the participants who often arrive from different countries.

Another aspect of this rally is the economic benefit for the region. By participating hundreds of vespa -drivers and their companions, local restaurants, hotels and shops experience an increase to visitors that are important for the local economy.

statistics on the use of vespa and stay in place

According to a study by the European Motorcycle Industry Association (ACEM), the popularity of scooters, including Vespas, has increased in Europe in recent years. In 2023 there was an increase in the new registrations of scooters in Germany by about 12% compared to the previous year. This reflects a growing interest in environmentally friendly mobility and the search for practical alternatives in urban traffic. Vespas not only enjoy a rich tradition and history, but also stand for a nostalgic lifestyle that appeals to many people.

Another remarkable aspect is the trend towards restored vintage vespas that has increased for several years. According to a survey among Vespa owners, more than 60% are interested in the restoration of older models, which underlines passion and commitment to the community.

Vespa community and their values

The Vespa community is known for its strong solidarity and helpfulness among the members. These values also became clear on the German Vespa Rally, where participants quickly provide help in emergencies. This shows that driving vespas not only has an individual, but also a joint aspect.

In addition, a variety of clubs and events can be found within this community that promote the exchange and care of the Vespa culture. Over 400 Vespa clubs are registered in Germany that organize regular meetings and events. Such initiatives help to keep interest in vespas alive and inspire new generations of drivers.

The commitment to community and support in difficult times is one of the main characteristics that combine the vespa -drivers and makes the rally an unforgettable experience.