81-year-old Verner cycles 10 km – every day!
A story of strength and inspiration
Yes, it's good enough. Verner keeps fit and we think he has a good story. That's why we invited him to Rødekro to tell us a little about his life and his burning desire to inspire others to cycle.
Guards have almost always been aktivUnfortunately, illness prevented him from enjoying exercise for a longer period of time. An old hip injury didn't make things easier and when both heart palpitations and water in the body announced their arrival, daily medication an involuntary part of his everyday life.
Meeting our tricycles
Fortunately One day, Verner came across an article about Jørn Iversen. He read about our tricycles. It gave him the courage to take charge of himself and regain control of his everyday life. He contacted us and we found a bike. to him.
You could be tempted to call it 'love at first pedal thread', but that's not how the story began. Instead, it became a 3-month process where Verner and our good colleague, Morten, fought a stubborn battle to adjust the bike to fit his body. This has resulted in a very special angle on the saddle and the development of a crank arm that really challenged our mechanical abilities.
It was, however it's all worth it! Both for us and for Verner. Now the red one fits Victor Bosch perfect for him and in the last 3 months he has driven more than 1.300 km on it in all kinds of weather. He has waved goodbye to compression stockings and water in his body. Heart fibrillation is kept at bay with daily exercise and constant endorphins in the account – an energy that gives energy for chess, music and excess to inspire others to get outside and get some fresh air.
We sit with Verner in the factory canteen. There is coffee and pretzels on the table, but we almost forget it, because in the room there is an 81-year-old man and he captivates us with his story. He has so much on his mind. We get anecdotes from his long working life, where there was always room for seriousness and playfulness. There is also good advice about the joys of an ascetic life, where friendships and health are absolute foundations. When people ask if it is not cold to cycle in freezing weather, Verner simply says with a sly smile that you just have to remember to have some rum in your water bottle.
Out and about – of course!
“Well,” one of us says suddenly – “are we never going to go cycling?” Verner's eyes light up even more brightly., and he practically jumps out and puts on a jacket and helmet. The bike is in front of the factory. Verner jumps on it, accustomed to the scene, and disappears out of the courtyard at a brisk pace. The photographer catches him shortly afterwards on the road, where he luckily gets a few good pictures of both man and bike.
Verner agreed to this interview for several reasons. He would like to be ambassador for our bikes – but most importantly he wants to be a role model. It takes a certain discipline to cycle +10 km every day. Not everyone has it. He knows that. But he firmly believes that we can all do more to create well-being for ourselves – and that daily exercise is the most effective tool.
We agree with him. His entire past and present rhyme so well with our mantra: “Joy of life on wheels"
