Perfectly normal in Grindelwald
Don’t miss out on a ride on a Velogemel – this single-track, steerable wooden snow bike has helped Grindelwald locals get around in winter since 1911. Every February, Grindelwald hosts the Velogemel World Championship – and anyone who wants to can take part.
- Grindelwald railway station
- Kaufmann Sport
- Skiservice Egger, Grindelwald Grund
In 1910–1911, Christian Bühlmann invented the “bicycle sledge”. He used ash wood for the frame and maple for the runner mounts, handlebars and saddle. Two Grindelwald blacksmiths made the runners.
On 1 April 1911, Christian Bühlmann, a sawmill worker from Grindelwald, walked into the Swiss Federal Office for Intellectual Property in Bern to apply for a patent for his “bicycle-like wooden sledge”. He presented the officials with detailed plans for his “single-track steerable sports sledge”.
In the past, the Velogemel served the postman well on his rounds, the doctor used it for house calls, the farmer did his shopping on it and children rode it to school. Today, the Velogemel is mainly used for sport and leisure, although some locals still ride it into the village to do their shopping, and children use it to get to school.
Velogemels aren’t used anywhere else in Switzerland. As a curiosity, however, they are sold all over the world – to buyers from Australia, Japan, the USA and New Zealand, and simply to Velogemel enthusiasts.
Velogemel races were held every now and then – and today they are enjoying growing popularity again.
The courses include not only downhill roads but also flat stretches. Especially on these, the Velogemel proves to be a practical and energy-saving way to get around – provided you’ve mastered the right “scooter technique”.
To mark Grindelwald’s 850th anniversary, the first-ever “World Championship” was held in January 1996.
The race along the village street – organised with more than a touch of humour – became truly international thanks to participants from Germany, the Netherlands, France and Japan. Yet the world title went, confidently and not unexpectedly, to a local: Hänsel Brunner.
This “World Championship” has since become a fixture of the winter programme.
Velogemel riders can also compete in all the sledging races held in the valley, as there is always a separate category reserved for these vehicles. Experience has shown that, with the right riding skills, they can easily keep pace with the traditional local sledges – though not with today’s mass-produced racing toboggans.
Would you like to buy a Velogemel? You’ll find all the information here.
