What to expect at European Bike Week at Lake Faaker See in 2018
On September 4, the largest European Harley-Davidson Event on Lake Faak in Austria, with over 100,000 visitors expected from all over Europe and the world.
The weather forecast predicts that it will improve again from Wednesday onwards, but until Tuesday we will have to accept that there may be some rain.
The police are showing a strong presence.
What will change this year is that the police will have a stronger presence in the run-up to the event. This is because, in the past, a number of Harleys have been stolen at the start of the event, and the authorities now want to put a stop to this. However, we can assume that vehicle checks will also be expanded somewhat this year, with new technology being used to measure the noise level and speed of bikers. In addition, video surveillance will be expanded to cover the entire festival grounds.
Einen Schwerpunkt setzt die Polizei auf die Campingplätze und die Motorradparkplätze, um Diebstähle zu verhindern, in der Vergangenheit sind besonders auf den Campingplätzen immer wieder Zeltschlitzer eingefallen, obwohl jemand im Zelt war, wurde im Schnellverfahren gestohlen. Die erhöhte Polizeipräsenz dient somit der Sicherheit, aber auch der Kontrolle, der ein oder andere wird wieder zahlen dürfen und das kann in Austria teuer werden.
Accommodations around Lake Faaker See
Accommodation is still available, especially in the surrounding area where you can still find affordable places to stay. Carinthia generally has a wide range of small guesthouses, and I have always had very good experiences here.
From Tuesday to Sunday, the road around Lake Faaker See will once again be a one-way street, and cars will only be allowed to drive there with a special permit or if they are residents of the campsites.
Between 9 a.m. and 4 a.m., there is a shuttle service around Lake Faaker See from Tuesday to Sunday morning, and some of the buses also stop at the neighboring villages. Just keep an eye on the bus display, otherwise you might end up in Villach.
The Harley-Davidson Parade
The parade through the Villach region starts at noon on Saturday (assembly from 10:00 a.m. in Rosental Straße from Ratnitz). The parade is not brand-specific, so anyone can participate with their bike. Helmets are mandatory, of course, and please try not to change lanes or overtake other participants.
The music program
ZZTop, Bruce Springsteen oder Lynyard Skynyrd haben es in diesem Jahr trotz dem 115-jährigem bestehen der Company nicht bis zur European Bike Week The music program is always quite good, however, and those who want to party into the early hours of the morning will find plenty of opportunities throughout the area.
Test drives and new models
The real stars of the event are the Harleys, which arrive in Austria by the thousands. We will once again get to see many beautiful machines. Anyone interested in a new Harley-Davidson can take part in free test rides or simply visit the large EXPO exhibition next to the main stage in Harley Village to see if any of the new 2019 models appeal to them. Test seating is included, and the driving simulator will also be on site again.
Take beautiful trips in the surrounding area
What makes Lake Faaker See so special is its beautiful surroundings, which are ideal for cruising. If you are unfamiliar with the area or would like to ride in a group, you can take part in one of the guided tours on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. The Alpe Adria Chapter has planned three wonderful day tours that are sure to be worthwhile. You will find the Chapter's stand on the large square in the village, where the indoor Harley parking lot is also located.
If you want to go on the tour alone, we recommend a trip to Slovenia or Italy, or take a look at the report of my tour to Slovenia.
Ride safely!
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