If there is a place of pilgrimage for bikers in Upper Bavaria, it must be the “Schwammerlkapelle” in Halbing. There is not much going on here 364 days a year, green meadows, gentle hills and a view of the Alps make the small chapel near Ebersberg a particularly idyllic place. On one day, of course, the engines roar here and bikers queue up around the last weekend in April or the first weekend in May to get the blessing for the coming season. But after two pandemic-related failures, it won’t work again today. A call to Petra Strehl-Schwetz, the 57-year-old tax clerk has officially been the “upper pig” at the Ebersberger Sauhaufen, the local motorcycle club, since 2016.
SZ: Once again the motorcyclists in Ebersberg and the surrounding area have to start the season without a blessing – what’s the reason this time?
Petra Strehl-Schwetz: Well, especially the date and the Corona situation in March. We usually start planning in January and then soon have the event approved by the district office. This year we waited much longer because there was an announcement that the corona restrictions were to be lifted at the end of March. Without knowing what the situation would be like, we didn’t want to pay the fee and invest a lot of work. We would have had to print posters and do massive advertising. If the rules had continued to apply, we probably would have had to carry out admission controls and comply with the 2-G or 3-G rule, and a hygiene concept would probably have been necessary. When we finally wanted to plan, the institution-related vaccination requirement came into force at the same time – and the district office signaled to us that the experts therefore had little time to approve our event. So we left it – probably the wrong decision. But in hindsight you’re always smarter.
Did you get any reactions from motorcyclists to the cancellation?
Certainly many are disappointed. Among others, our Father Günter, who kept the date free and wanted to come from Vienna specifically to give us the blessing.
It’s a big boost, there are always around 1000 bikers, isn’t it?
Not every time, but when the weather is nice, around 1000 come together.
How did you start the season yourself without a blessing?
I just sent my bike in for an inspection. With the consecration cancelled, the air was kind of out there. But there is another consecration in Fürstätt, a place between Kolbermoor and Rosenheim, where we will get the blessing.
Petra Strehl-Schwetz, “Obersau” at the Ebersberger Sauhaufen with Father Günter Reitzi in front of the Halbinger chapel.
(Photo: private)
How did it come about that the motorcycle consecration was established in Ebersberg?
We have been consecrated for more than 30 years now, that was the idea of the board at the time. In the first year we were happy for every moped that arrived, there were at most 20 or 30 participants. The next year there were already more than 100, little by little there were more and more people.
What is special about the motorcycle consecration for you?
It’s something special for me when so many people come together and parade through the city to get the blessing, it’s great fun. We were always lucky that we found pastors who have a good relationship with motorcyclists. Father Günter, who is doing this now, is a motorcyclist himself and came with his own machine when he was still living in Freimann. He always finds good words that you can take to heart.
The motorcyclists make a lot of noise when they drive around to get the blessing. Are people’s reactions positive or negative?
Actually, we always got good feedback. Above all, the people in Halbing like to come by themselves, they also provide us with the electricity so that we can connect the microphone. There are always visitors on the side of the road who want to take a look. So far we haven’t had any major problems.
And which date in 2023 can bikers write down in their calendars?
The consecration usually takes place on the last Sunday in April, unless Corona is in charge. In 2023 that will be April 30th.