Cycling without limits: On the Vennbahn by Europe’s eventful past

We cannot understand who we are without knowing where we come from. Former traffic routes are particularly suitable for a journey of discovery through history. An example is that Vennbahn: The once important railway line is now a 125 -kilometer cycle path through Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. Europe’s relegation started to war on the Vennbahn – and later the long way to peace.

For reporter Ricardo J. Rodrigues and photographer Christophe Olinger, life will play on the bicycle saddle over the next three days. They break up for a trip along an almost forgotten route that shaped the continent on which we live. In three stages you are looking for the traces of the time when wars began, borders were drawn and a whole part of the earth from ruins.

In a Europe in which intolerance increases again, it is now time to deal with the story. The travel dates are anything but coincidental: the start takes place closely 40 years after signing the Schengen Agreementwhich caused the abolition of borders in Europe – and 85 years after the National Socialists’ invasion in Luxembourg, which broke the country. We want to tell of the moments when the world got out of joint and the huge attempt to rebuild it.

On the first day we cycle from Aachen, which is located on the border between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, to Monschau in the Eifel National Park – through one of the most beautiful regions in Central Europe. On the second day it goes from Monschau to Saint-Vith in Belgium. We drive across an area in which large parts of the coal and iron industry were once located. This industry changed an entire continent. Luxembourg was particularly affected.

On the last day we reach Ulflingen in Luxembourg, the end point of our trip. A stage to remember the power of this Europe, which despite all resistances closed.

The article series « The Forgotten Way » will be released from June 16 to 19. Every day at 12 p.m. we publish an article on the websites of the « Luxemburger Word », by « Virgule », the « Luxembourg Times » and from « Contacto » – in German, French, English and Portuguese.

Now we’re breaking up because some stories are not waiting – and are more urgent than ever. Partida, Largada, Fugida. (German: « On the places, ready, go. »)