Biking through the Triangle Region: The Link Between Urban Areas and Community Members via Cycling
In the coming days, over a hundred cyclists will traverse five university cities along the Upper Rhine. The Tour Eucor, a cycling event organized by students, graduates, and staff from Eucor universities, will conclude its journey on the fifth day.
The tour commenced in Karlsruhe and traversed Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Basel, Freiburg, and back to Karlsruhe, with the Black Forest serving as a backdrop for much of the journey. Participants navigated diverse terrains, choosing routes suitable to their skill levels each day, and covered distances between 600 and 900 kilometers. Crossing the Rhine several times, the tour connected student bodies across three countries.
Franco-German-Swiss friendships have blossomed through the Tour Eucor. Pia Thiele, a 27-year-old PhD student from Berlin currently at the University of Strasbourg, emphasizes the tour's role as a catalyst for cross-border connections. Meeting fellow tour participant Lucie Simonin four years ago, they discovered their shared academic backgrounds from Saarbrücken and Strasbourg. Since then, they have embarked on the annual five-day adventure, finding that the tour fosters trans-border friendships conveniently.
The Tour Eucor's organizing team coordinates the routes and arranges accommodation in youth hostels. Amid the cycling adventures, a dedicated kitchen team caters to the participants with home-cooked meals. Originating from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology's Department of Economics to make the Eucor cooperation tangible, the Tour Eucor debuted in 1998 with a small number of cycling enthusiasts and automobile support. Over time, the number of participants has grown exponentially, now welcoming both active students and alumni of the Eucor universities. To acknowledge such contributions, a club was founded in 2008.
The Tour Eucor represents an inspiring symbol of regional integration through sport and camaraderie in the Upper Rhine region. As cyclists make their way to each course destination, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and promoting sustainable transportation, the tour truly epitomizes the spirit of European cooperation.
- Pia Thiele, a 27-year-old PhD student, found her cross-border friendship with Lucie Simonin during the Tour Eucor, which has enriched her lifestyle and fostered connections in learning, travel, sports, and education-and-self-development.
- For the Tour Eucor participants, the annual five-day adventure not only provides an exciting sports challenge but also contributes to a unique learning experience, blending culture, travel, and education in an unforgettable way.
- Among the many aspects of the Tour Eucor, one of its remarkable features is the community it creates, encouraging educational, travel, and self-development opportunities that sustain partnerships and friendships, fostering a spirit of unity beyond the cycling routes.
