Motorcyclists unite for depression relief: Fellows Ride 2025 starts in Suhl!

Motorcyclists unite for depression relief: Fellows Ride 2025 starts in Suhl!

These days in Suhl everything revolves around the topic of mental health and solidarity among motorcyclists. On Saturday, August 15, 2025, the first Fellows Ride motorcycle ride will take place in southern Thuringia, which not only promises adrenaline, but also sends a strong message against depression. It will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Unity Square in Suhl, where over 100 enthusiastic participants have already registered. Organized by Michael Bader, the route will lead through picturesque landscapes and includes a one-hour lunch break so that everyone can recharge their batteries.

The Fellows Ride Initiative was launched in 2021 by Dieter Schneider, who himself was affected by a stroke of fate: after his son's suicide, he took a trip around the world by motorcycle to deal with his grief and learn how other cultures deal with mental illness. These personal experiences led to the idea of ​​creating a platform to raise awareness of depression and promote direct contact between people. The first event in Würzburg, which was attended by over 300 motorcyclists, quickly grew in size and is now taking place throughout Europe. The police are in southern Thuringia The exit will be accompanied by 13 motorcycles and five other vehicles to ensure safety for all riders, while the organizers are counting on the support of the local community with the Zella-Mehliser towing service Welinski.

Donate to the good cause

Although there is no entry fee, the organizers ask for a donation of 15 euros per person. These funds flow into important local projects, such as the city of Suhl's “Active against Depression” project and the Irrsinn Menschlich association, which promotes mental health. The initiative aims to openly discuss the topic of depression and offer help for those affected and their relatives.

On the evening before the trip, on August 14, 2025, the screening of the film “The world is too beautiful for depression” – Ride don’t hide is on the program at the Stuki studio cinema in Zella-Mehlis. A portion of the proceeds will also be used for the Fellows Ride Initiative. So it's an event that not only brings both of their hearts to support mental health, but also brings friends and family together to strengthen each other.

A Europe-wide network is emerging

The Fellows Ride movement has developed rapidly since its first appearance. 25 events have already taken place in 2024, including in Romania for the first time. This international connection brings people from different cultures together to raise awareness of the widespread disease depression and to raise funds for local projects to promote mental health. An open participation is not only open to motorcyclists, but also to anyone interested in supporting the topic. After all, the Fellows Ride is an independent initiative that promotes tolerance and cosmopolitanism.

So, let’s take the next exit – we’ll see each other on the road soon and show that we are strong together. Because together against depression - that is the path we can all take. With every kilometer we drive together, we raise awareness and bring hope to people's hearts.