With Simson to Rome: Kahren moped friends conquer the Alps!

With Simson to Rome: Kahren moped friends conquer the Alps!

Four friends from Kahren have embarked on a very special adventure: they set off on an exciting journey to Rome with their beloved Simson mopeds. The route, which was more than 1,500 kilometers long, put not only the drivers but also the machines to the test. They were accompanied by a friend who was traveling in a support vehicle and also supported the group on the return journey. This epic tour was captured in a video talk in which the adventurers reported on their experiences.

The preparations for the trip were extensive, as the mopeds were technically upgraded. The men went into the race well equipped with vape ignitions and a selection of spare parts. But the weather thwarted their plans in Austria: constant rain presented them with challenges while they had to overcome cold Alpine passes with gradients of up to 15 percent. The drivers spent more than 61 hours in the saddle of their mopeds, using around 100 liters of petrol.

An unforgettable experience

The adventurers spent the nights at campsites along the route and remembered many impressive encounters. The interaction with Harley riders and curious passers-by particularly enriched their trip. At their destination, Bud Spencer's grave, the men experienced an emotional moment that put the effort and hardships of the journey into the background. It was not just a trip to Rome, but also a piece of culture that they were able to experience first hand.

After their return they received a warm welcome from the fire department in Kahren – what a service! There was also a small honor recognizing their courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The group now lets us know that they already have some ideas for their next tour in the drawer. This shows that the spirit of the Simson mopeds lives not only through the machines, but also through the riders' thirst for adventure.

The fascinating history of the Simson mopeds

With kind regards to countless motorcyclists who took their first steps into the world on two wheels with mopeds from Riga, a deep-rooted tradition is evident here. When the bicycle factory in Latvia, once owned by Gustav Ehrenpreis, was nationalized in 1940 and took the name “Sarkana Zvaigzne” (Red Star), it was the start of a success story. The factory started production after the war in 1947 and manufactured almost 220,000 bicycles by 1960. In 1958, she ventured into moped production, inspired by foreign designs.

The first prototype “Spriditis”, which was tested in 1958, is based on the Austrian model “Puch”. After a 10,000 km long test drive, the improved model, the Riga-1, was finally released for series production. These mopeds became the foundation for many young riders in the former USSR and beyond. The entire history of Riga mopeds impressively documents the heritage of mobility that has shaped many generations and is still very popular today.