Czech Stages
igus:bike in the Czech Republic: Tradition and Technical Innovation in One Place
In the Czech Republic, we took the igus:bike on a journey that brought together tradition, history, modern engineering, and a touch of Czech wit.
Our adventure began in Prague, looking like something straight out of a postcard – we started our ride at the popular Náplavka riverbank and immediately embarked on a boat trip along the Vltava River. From the water, we admired the silhouette of Prague Castle, the National Theatre, and the panorama of the Old Town.
After docking, we continued along the river to Charles Bridge – one of the most iconic structures in Prague and all of Central Europe. Built in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV, the bridge is not only a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, but also a place full of legends. Did you know that the foundation stone was laid on July 9, 1357 at exactly 5:31 a.m. – forming a palindrome sequence of 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1? This numerology was believed to ensure the bridge’s strength and longevity.
We concluded our cycling route in the center of old Prague – at the Old Town Square, right by the Prague Astronomical Clock. This medieval timepiece is one of the oldest and best-preserved of its kind in the world. It was a beautiful day spent in the very heart of Europe.
Romance gave way to technology on the second day, which brought us to one of the biggest coal power plants in the Czech Republic – the Tušimice Power Plant, operated by ČEZ, the country’s largest electricity producer. Over 15 years ago, HENNLICH designed and installed an energy chain here more than 600 meters long to power the moving parts of a coal stacker. For nearly ten years, this chain held the title of the longest energy chain of its kind in the world – and to this day, it still operates flawlessly. Even after all these years, it remains a testament to the reliability and long-term quality of igus solutions.
Our journey then continued north toward the German border, where we made a short stop in the town of Děčín. This charming historic port on the Elbe River was once known for shipbuilding and inland navigation. Today, the river is primarily used for sightseeing cruises. It’s no surprise that a brand-new dock was built here, featuring a unique application of an igus zig-zag energy chain, safely guiding energy from the mainland to the moving section of the dock – a sleek example of how technology and water tourism can come together.
Day three was all about Litoměřice, a city full of history and clever solutions. That’s no coincidence – it’s home of HENNLICH 😊. Of course, we couldn’t skip a visit to the HENNLICH headquarters, our trusted partner for over 25 years.
We ended up extending our journey in the Czech Republic by one more day. We simply couldn’t miss a quirky, tongue-in-cheek event held in one of the villages near Litoměřice. We wanted to soak up the atmosphere filled with classic Czech humor—and of course, put our igus:bike to the test by joining the challenge of riding across a footbridge in the middle of the village fountain.
This part of the igus:bike worldtour wasn’t just about riding – it was about the beauty of nature combined with modern technology, as well as people and fascinating local traditions. We’ve seen that igus has not only strong technical roots in the Czech Republic, but also a great story worth sharing.
Stage 1 igus:bike explores the heart of Prague
Date: 30. July 2025
Starting Point: Prague, Charles Bridge
Destination: Prague, Old Town Square
Distance: 2.9 km
Riders: Kamila Lattnerová, Tomáš Houdek
Riders: Kamila Lattnerová, Tomáš Houdek
As the igus:bike world tour reached Prague, Kamila Lattnerová, Marketing Manager at HENNLICH CZ, took the bike for a spin through the city.
Starting at Náplavka by the Vltava River, she met colleague Tomáš Houdek and explored Prague by boat and bike. They passed landmarks like the Dancing House, National Theatre, and Charles Bridge, ending at the Astronomical Clock.
The igus:bike proved ideal for the city — quiet, lightweight, and maintenance-free — blending innovation with the charm of Prague’s historic streets.
Stage 2 igus:bike visits the power behind the Czech Republic
Date: 31. July 2025
Starting Point: Tušimice, Skupina ČEZ
Destination: Děčín
Distance: 1.8 km
Rider: Jindřich Kollár
On the second day of the igus:bike world tour in the Czech Republic, the team cycled to Tušimice, home to a major coal power station operated by Skupina ČEZ, the country’s top electricity producer.
Here, an igus energy chain, installed by HENNLICH in the early 2000s, has powered a stacking machine for over 15 years. Measuring 615 meters, it once held the record for the longest energy chain worldwide and continues to operate flawlessly, highlighting the durability of igus motion plastics.
The day’s journey ended in Děčín, where igus technology at a boat pier further showcased its reliability across diverse environments.
Stage 3 HENNLICH – A legacy of motion plastics in the heart of Czechia
Date: 01. August 2025
Starting Point: Litoměřice
Destination: Litoměřice, HENNLICH
Distance: 5.4 km
Rider: Tomáš Vlk
On day three of our igus:bike tour in the Czech Republic, we visited Litoměřice, a town rich in history and industrial innovation. It’s home to HENNLICH, a key igus partner for over 25 years.
We were warmly welcomed by founder and managing director Pavel Šumera, who built HENNLICH into a top distributor of industrial technology over 34 years. Pavel gave us a company tour and introduced us to HENNLICH’s exciting electric motocross bike, which features igus components.
These motion plastics excel in high-vibration, off-road environments. From energy chains to bearings, igus products are now standard in Czech industry, driving automation and efficiency.
Stage 4 igus:bike takes on its first race – and a fountain!
Date: 02. August 2025
Starting Point: Liběšická Kašna, Start Line
Destination: Liběšická Kašna, Finish Line
Distance: 3.3 km
Rider: Tomáš Vlk
The igus:bike world tour in the Czech Republic wrapped up with an unexpected twist: a race. But the Liběšická Kašna in Liběšice is no ordinary event. This lively tradition combines competition and chaos, and this year it featured an igus:bike for the first time.
Rider Tomáš Vlk, took on the 1.2 km loop of cobblestones, dirt, and grass – no asphalt allowed. The standout challenge? Crossing a narrow wooden bridge over a fountain, a crowd favorite. Riders either balanced or splashed, with cheers guaranteed.
The race ended at a refreshment stand with a Czech beer. Tomáš didn’t medal but earned the title of world’s first igus:bike racer, proving this urban bike can handle anything!