HP Velotechnik welcomed visitors to its headquarters in Kriftel, near Frankfurt am Main, for a full-day Open House on Saturday, September 6. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., around 200 guests had the opportunity to explore the inner workings of one of the world’s leading recumbent manufacturers. Co-founder Paul Hollants personally guided factory tours at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., sharing insights into how an HP Velotechnik bike comes to life — from initial computer design to final assembly and international shipping.

Visitors could experience all 19 HP Velotechnik models on the test track, including the handbike used by Olympic and World Champion Kristina Vogel. The 100 m / 328 ft oval track behind the building offered a safe environment for trying out the bikes, while fast S-Pedelecs were tested on nearby roads with light traffic. According to HP Velotechnik’s Marketing Manager Heiko Truppel, “This year, the test track was remarkably busy. The fast e-bikes are always tested under real conditions, but the visitors really made the most of the safe oval as well.”

The program also featured a talk by rider Carlo Krampe, who shared his experiences of “trike-packing” on the Scorpion fs 26 Enduro. Truppel noted that the Q&A session following the talk quickly replaced the originally planned interview, as visitors had so many questions that the discussion became an impromptu exchange of stories and advice. The factory tours with Paul Hollants were crowded as usual, with Hollants entertaining guests with anecdotes from the company’s founding years. “Paul is an inexhaustible source of stories,” Truppel added.

Beyond the factory and test track, visitors enjoyed a bicycle parts flea market, children’s activities, and a crêpes stand. The local ADFC chapter offered bike coding, and those who signed up as members during the event received the service for free.

Heiko Truppel confirmed that the tradition will continue next year: “We have already decided to hold the Open House again on the first Saturday in September. We hope for the same pleasant weather — sunny and mild — to welcome old and new friends of recumbents.”