Bundle Up for a Bike Ride of the Winter Carnivals

In America the carnival is summer.  They are a traveling cavalcade of the great unwashed for the great unwashed.  Maybe that is what some people think but each summer the carnival circuit cuts across the Great Plains and up and down the coasts bringing death defying rides (no really, people get hurt on the tilt-a-wheel, the mouse trap, and others), food that splits evenly the major food groups of salt and grease, and the games of chance that afford you no chance of winning.  These carnivals, (they officially go by the collective “Mobile Amusement”) are sponsored in every small town all over the States by the local Lions Club, the Rotary, the Elks, the fire department or all of them all wrapped up into one tight committee.   

   

In Europe, it is a different story, especially in winter.  The SBT crew is happy to see the Winter Carnival season return to the continent.  European winter carnivals are held to celebrate the coming Lenten season.  It is way to have that last little something that will soon be put away or abstained from during Lent.  If the weather is cooperating spend the carnival season on your bike.  After all winter clothing is vastly improved from year to year so you will be warm--a little Schnapps doesn’t hurt either.  

But where to start?  Aalast, Belgium holds a winter carnival close to Ash Wednesday.  The highlight is a large parade of vehicles and costumed people.  While you are there check out the Town Hall’s belfry, it has the oldest carillon in Flanders (see our blog about bells and bell towers).  Next, venture over to Denmark for Fastelavn for another pre-Ash Wednesday party.  Many towns in Denmark dress up and hold lavish parades.  Sweet rolls known as Fastelavnsbolle are popular treats.  

In France for two weeks before Lent the Nice Carnival is held.  The spectacular dates back to 1294 and has been held annually ever since.  Nice swells with over one million visitors.  In Germany, Cologne Carnival (pictured) is the largest in all of Europe.  In southern and western Germany and parts of Switzerland and Austria Fastnacht is held again with parades of wild costumes and regional traditions. The Carnival of Viareggio is held in Tuscany and the Italians claim it to be even bigger and better than the German Cologne Carnival.  The carnival, first held in 1873 is most famous for its inventive and unique floats.  The Dutch celebrate Vastenavond and the Poles celebrate with the Kulig, a sleigh ride through town followed by eating and drinking through the night.

Winter Carnivals abound during the Lenten season with carnivals also in Portugal, Spain, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Russia even the Canary Islands.  Basically, if you want to ride your bike in any part of Europe in February and early March you will without a doubt stumble upon a winter carnival.   

If you can’t make it to Europe try Quebec City (another previous blog post).  Quebec holds the largest winter carnival in the entire world.  Finally, if all the cold and snow is not for you then of course it’s Mardi Gras, New Orleans, USA beginning February 12 in the Big Easy.  Another carnival option can be summed up in one word: Brazil! 

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