Les 12 Heures de l’Auge

Description

The «12 Heures de l'Auge» is a crazy tandem race with wild teams that enliven the streets of the old town of Freiburg for 12 hours. A festive atmosphere and good cheer are the ingredients for this competition, which creatively combines teamwork and joy in a happy way.
The vehicles share the commonality of having at least 2 wheels and 2 pedals, while the rest is left to the teams' imagination. In the races, beds on wheels overtake flower pots, which are closely followed by a Russian submarine!
The race starts at 10:00 AM and ends at 10:00 PM, followed by an open-air disco. The race is popular: it is open to everyone, not just athletes. The number of team members is freely selectable, and they can switch on the tandems as they wish. Each team is assigned a spot where they can set up their stand.
The race was established in 1969 and took place every year until 2004. In 2012, the famous humorous tandem race made a grand return to the Freiburg old town after an eight-year break.
Since then, it has been reinventing itself, and each edition becomes a unique event. In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, more and more teams have confronted their wheels and kneecaps with the cobblestones of the historic district in front of enthusiastic fans.
On June 7, no less than 31 teams will participate in the traditional race of the costumed tandems. A three-meter-high “Velo-Ciraptor,” an Egyptian pyramid, the retirement home Les Chênes (!), and a team from Northern Germany: the day promises to be a real summer carnival in La Neuveville.
During the renovation work on the Zähringer Bridge and in the Quartier de l'Auge, the race has been temporarily taking place “outside” of l'Auge in the neighboring historic district of La Neuveville on an alternative route since the 2023 edition.