Super jeilezick
The Harley Dome Cologne attracted around 16,000 motorcycle and party fans to the friendly Rhine metropolis
• Harleys, music and everything that goes with it delight Cologne residents and guests
• Large parade with 4,000 to 5,000 machines through the cathedral city
• The next Harley Dome Cologne is expected to take place from May 29th to 31st, 2015
In the past, says the Cologne dialect band Brings, times were just super cool, a “super jeilezick” - but today? Today some things are even hotter! At least that was the opinion of around 16,000 visitors who came to the Harley Dome Cologne from May 23rd to 25th to celebrate Harley-Davidson's wonderfully odd birthday in predominantly bright pre-summer weather in the "most northern city in Italy". The company from the USA is now 111 years old - what other metropolis would have been better suited for a birthday party than the one that traditionally takes place on November 11th? announces the 5th season at 11:11 a.m.?
So there was a full weekend program in and around Cologne. It all started on Friday evening in the city's breweries and clubs, where biker specials were put together to match the event.
On the following two days, people crowded together on the event site at the Tanzbrunnen. The numerous stalls selling motorcycles, clothing and accessories were crowded from morning to night, with relaxed and exuberant chatting, celebrating and talking shop well into the night. The free test rides on current Harley-Davidson models were very popular. A large Harley truck delivered 22 test machines and an authentic driving simulator on which contemporaries without a driver's license were able to get a taste of the Harley feeling.
Meanwhile, the fascinating conversions that faced the strict eyes of an expert jury at the custom bike show caused a stir. A strong line-up of bands provided musical entertainment: Ten Years After, Hank Davison, the Blues Brothers tribute band Heart and Soul and local heroes Cat Ballou, Kasalla and Miljö took to the mic on the open-air stage Hand. And because we were in Cologne and were able to enjoy the view of the cathedral and old town from the event site, we naturally sang along and swayed along to the heart of the event.
One of the highlights of the event was the large parade, which was held under the patronage of the Cologne police chief and under the motto “Against intolerance in road traffic”. The acclaimed caravan of 4,000 to 5,000 two-wheeled beauties led over two Rhine bridges and the Cologne Ring on Saturday.
Joining us for the first few kilometers were Bianka and Joachim, a young couple who had tied the knot in a civil ceremony at the event just a few hours earlier, before heading to the cathedral in the heart of the city, where they were married in church .
“Cologne plus V-Twins – that makes for a super thrilling ride,” says Christoph Kuckelkorn from the organizer HKE GmbH. The people of Cologne, the city leaders and Harley-Davidson themselves agree with this without reservation. That's why there will of course be another Harley Dome Cologne next year. 2015 is expected to be celebrated from May 29th to 31st. Everyone who has already experienced the first edition of this successful event will definitely be there again.
Text & image copyright: Harley-Davidson 2014 / photo credit Joachim Rieger / Harley Dome Cologne
