By Andrea Hamman, 13.04.09, Mitteldeutsche Zeitung
Translated by Laurie Koning
From all directions came the motorcyclists on Sunday to the Aral Gas Station in Weissenfels (Whiterock). The hot machines rattled very promisingly. Thrilled, Steffen Marquardt followed the performance. He is a member of the motorcycle club “Dragon Bikers”, out of Weissenfels. These lovers of the machines on two wheels were invited to an Easter tour.
It was a mixture of race machines, Harleys, Benellis and additional well-known brands among the group. At last it was about one hundred motorcycles that were only waiting to finally get going. The fascination expanded among the “Non-Bikers”. Passersby came over and observed impressed the freshly polished gems as they glistened in the sun. Finally it was time. With a loud hum the bikes started. Photographed, acclaimed and marvelled at was the spectacular as it peeled away from the observers who had collected on the street. By the way, the 100 kilometer long tour had been brought together by Matthias Schulze. They followed over Zeitz to Königshofen, Eisenberg and Naumberg and back to Weissenfels. The conclusive destination was the property of the motorcycle club and its bar. A big Easter Fire with food and drinks was celebrated by the club members and their guests of the Easter Fest.
The club has existed in Weissenfels for 22 years and since five years ago this tour has been a strong tradition at Easter time. Only last year did the tour have to be displaced. It snowed on the appointed day. So the tour was postponed and a Spring ride occurred.
“Many motorcyclists have the wish to once ride in a big group”, explained Steffen Marquardt. The strength of the feeling of belonging together. Therefore, it was simply offered to get something going.
The organization was worth it because it was profitably also international: Three adult Americans joined with their machines. To thank was Elli Schmidt from Mahlow. She had a malfunction in the afternoon on her way at the rest stop by Köchern. Ready-willing offered Stephen Kraft, Ben van Buren, both from Texas, and Laurie Koning, from the US state of Michigan, their help. Both of the men are soldiers stationed in Germany. Laurie Koning studies in Germany. The trio met each other by and by first in Germany. They were directly on their return trip from Berlin when they stumbled upon Elli Schmidt.
Without further ado they were invited to the tour by the Mahlower and spontaneously agreed. The ice was quickly broken between the Americans and the Weissenfelsers. “We are very happy and excited”, said Laurie Koning with a bright-eyed smile. It is simply beautiful when so many people share the same passion, which she brought to the point.
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Oh, I didn't read under the title of this one before. I just realized you hadn't written it, Laurie, although I thought the writing style was different from yours. You really did end up in the newspaper! OMG. Cool.
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