Day 29: Hannover

Since yesterday evening I am no longer alone on the road. My wife has arrived and will accompany me to Frankfurt. She is excited about the bicycle wagon in the regional train (older people can imagine it as a modern luggage wagon that used to be in trains) and about the bicycle city of Hannover. I fully share the latter, I find the cycle paths here exemplary! It is no coincidence that Hannover has been certified twice as a 'bicycle-friendly municipality'.
After getting off near the Allianz in Hannover (literally speaking), I have no rush after breakfast and can take care of my bicycle. It doesn't hurt to clean it a bit and the chain is happy with fresh oil.
Despite the short distance, I naturally ride my bike there. I am also warmly welcomed here. I see that construction is already underway at Gate 1. Later I learn that such actions are often taken as an opportunity to set up the grill and barbecue sausages. Alternatively, there is a mushroom pan. The staff here appreciate it, the atmosphere at this location is still familiar. I receive gifts: a 'Toppits Zipper' to keep my smartphone dry in case it rains again. There are also strengthening bars inside. And so that I don't have to blog without shelter tonight, there are 2 'Herri' beers that my wife and I can share. I ask cautiously how many employees are working here today, because the grill masters in their beautiful aprons are already in a good mood. Don't worry, they say - it will go well.
And indeed: the yard fills up, the first banknotes flutter into the donation box, the sausages sell well. In the end, there will be well over 100 colleagues present. The site manager in Hannover joins us. He sponsors the food - a heartfelt thank you for that! The interest in my tour is also great here and there are many words of appreciation for my project. I am asked about certain blog entries and get an insight into the local mindset: What the mountains are for cyclists in the south, the wind is in the north. But in the mountains, it also goes downhill, I almost only know the wind from the front...
I am really touched by the crowd of people who have come together. It's just so beautiful to see. And when the cash donations are counted, an incredible €800.29 in cash donations are collected. It almost knocks me over. Plus, as always, there are the PayPal donations that contribute to the overall result.
With many tips on what is a 'must' in Hannover, I am bid farewell. The dome on the New Town Hall, where I am supposed to go, is unfortunately closed due to overcrowding - no more tickets are sold today. The Red Thread (a great idea) and then the Maschseefest will be realized. There was also activity at the Leinewelle!
With many wonderful impressions of an 'unpretentiously exciting city', the day ends with a Herrenhäuser Pils beer. Cheers!

Oh, by the way: I warmly welcome those who have found me via LinkedIn. The colleagues from the Allianz social media team find my campaign worth mentioning and have therefore published a corresponding post on the AZD channel.