WHAT IS BACH BY BIKE?

Exclusive bike journey on the trail of Johann Sebastian Bach

Two young musicians have developed a unique cycling tour for culture and nature lovers.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) lived all his life in what is today Thuringia, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. As a world-famous composer, it is extraordinary that his life and work took place almost entirely within this limited area.

Mareike Neumann and Anna-Luise Oppelt, two young Bach- and bike-enthusiasts, took the opportunity to develop a unique journey from Bach’s birthplace Eisenach to his place of death, Leipzig. Come with us and “experience” Bach by Bike! The tours, depending on the variant, include not only Eisenach and Leipzig, but also Mühlhausen, Gotha, Wechmar, the Bach family’s ancestral home town, and Ohrdruf, Arnstadt, Dornheim, Erfurt, Weimar, Naumburg, Weißenfels, Halle and Köthen.

During the tours, you will visit the regional Bach-Festivals such as Bachfest Leipzig, Bach Biennale Weimar, Köthen Bach Festival and MDR Music Summer.

On long-distance bike paths, you will discover the charming landscapes of the Thuringian Forest, Ilm Valley, the wine-producing area Saale/Unstrut and the Saxonian Burgenland. You will explore museums, memorials and many original, preserved places, such as Dornheim Church, Bach’s wedding church. In addition, you will meet people who, often on voluntary basis, protect Bach’s heritage. Guided tours of organs, exclusive visits, intimate concerts and – for those who enjoy singing – sight-reading of Bach chorales during breaks will round off the trip.

In 2021 every tour includes a festival; you will listen to top-class concerts in the end or during the tour (Bachfest Leipzig, Bach Biennale Weimar, Bach places of MDR Music Summer, Köthen Autumn Festival – Köthener Herbst).

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are currently unable to guarantee that the festivals/concerts will take place. If a festival has to be cancelled due to the pandemic, the tours will naturally be adapted to the situation, we will do our best to provide a replacement programme in cooperation with our many musical partners at the locations, and the discrepancy in the tour price will be refunded. The main focus of the tours is the experience of exploring the stages of Bach’s life by bicycle. The journey is its own reward here!

In 2021, the tours will be conducted exclusively by Bach by Bike for the first time. We have developed a sustainable tour concept and pay our tour guides, musicians and local partners fair wages.

The well-stocked travel package includes a full-service luggage service, packed lunches and selected, bicycle-friendly hotels along the scenic route. Upon request, bicycles and E-bikes can be hired.

The project inspired other musicians: the patronage of Bach by Bike has the Starbratschist Nils Mönkemeyer taken. He played a concert in Eisenach at the opening of Bach by Bike on 30. 5. 2015.

Bach by Bike is open to special requests from groups and individuals.

Apart from the tours, Bach by Bike engages in developing an official cycling route with signposting and marketing through the three states involved.