Cykel Sanne's history
Susanne is 65 years old, an early pensioner and she has the rare disease Spinocerebellar Ataxia, a disease which affects the cerebellum and in Susanne's case goes beyond her motor skills and walking function.
Back in 2021, she got a Viktoria through the Municipality, a bike she had to fight for, but which she cannot do without today. She herself says: "Viktoria has given me everything, she is the reason I can manage myself - she is my life". For Susanne, it is not just a bicycle, she is on first name basis with her Viktoria and the bicycle has become a turning point in her life. She herself believes that Viktoria is the reason why she does not need home help and less medication in everyday life. Because the bike keeps her going. She herself describes that when she cycles, she is in less pain. Viktoria keeps the pain at bay.
Viktoria increases Susanne's range of motion and independence in everyday life
Susanne also gets around a lot on her Viktoria. She uses it for training, for hospital visits, for shopping, to visit friends and family from near and far - and then she uses it for cycling on holiday. She cycles many kilometers. In just over 2 years, she has cycled almost 6000 kilometres.
Susanne's range of motion is not very long without Viktoria. She can walk with her walker, but she doesn't get very far and the consequence of walking is that her "muscles and body hurt so damn much" - so she doesn't think it's worth it for a walk. So that's why she takes the bike.
Susanne also uses the bicycle on holiday
When we ask about Susanne's best experience with her bike, she has no doubts, she immediately mentions last year's holiday, which went to Copenhagen. She cycled from her home in Horsens down over South Funen and South Zealand up to Copenhagen. A great experience with stops at friends on the way. It was also on this trip that she cycled her longest distance – namely 92 km in one day. She doesn't use much help from the engine either, but after 92 km, the battery was also empty.
She also has plans for many more holidays on the bike. For May, she has planned a trip to a small town just outside Hamburg – a trip of 290 km. Per way. She expects that it will take 4 days to cycle the trip, then 4 days of holiday and again 4 days to cycle back. Furthermore, she has plans for a 1500 km. long trip around Jutland this summer and a trip to Kiel in late summer. There is no doubt that Susanne and Viktoria will have many more unforgettable experiences over the summer.
Susanne's best advice for others who cannot ride a two-wheeled bicycle:
"See to it that you get a tricycle. Get a Viktor or Viktoria, they are simply the best bikes. They lie really well on the road and you drive longer on the battery than you think. Get one, you won't regret it.”
