Cycling through the Netherlands with a brain injury

Hersenletsel on Tour, a working group of patient association Herseletsel.nl, organises an annual bicycle tour to draw attention to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). In 2021 and 2022 Hersenletsel on Tour could not take place due to corona.

Hersenletsel on Tour with adapted bikes

Hersenletsel On Tour

Every year, there are about 85,000 new cases of traumatic brain injury and over 40,000 new strokes. More than 500,000 people in the Netherlands live with the consequences. In order to draw attention to Non-congenital Brain Injury, the Hersenletsel on Tour initiative was picked up again in 2016. With this bicycle tour, the goal is to permanently draw attention to all forms of TBI and the consequences for those affected and their loved ones. In addition, exercise is very important for people with TBI! Read in the article 'Cycling with a brain disorder’ what possibilities there are to stay mobile with a brain disease.

Hersenletsel on Tour has already had 4 successful editions. During each edition, participants cycle in different provinces in the Netherlands. In 2019, the participants of Hersenletsel on Tour cycled through part of Noord-Brabant, Zeeland and Zuid-Holland.

Hersenletsel on Tour Van Raam duo bikes Fun2Go and FunTrain
Van Raam Fun2Go duo bike with FunTrain

Participate in Hersenletsel on Tour

Hersenletsel on Tour is cycled with 25 weekly cyclists, some of whom ride the entire tour on adapted recumbent and duo bikes. In addition, every day there are a number of changing "guest" cyclists who can ride a stage. Because it can quickly become too crowded for people with TBI, for example due to sensitivity to stimuli, the group of participants is not too large.

During the bicycle tour, a number of duo bikes with pedal assistance will be used, allowing less mobile people to cycle along as well. Among these duo bikes is also the Fun2Go of Van Raam. In addition, Van Raam will also make a FunTrain available during Hersenletsel on Tour. With the FunTrain it is possible to cycle with four people at the same time, of which one person is the driver.

Read more about the Fun2Go and FunTrain duo bike

Photo report Hersenletsel on Tour 2018

The start of Hersenletsel on Tour 2018 was May 3 at the WZA in Assen, the Netherlands. Wednesday morning around 10 o'clock the bicycle tour started there. The mayor of Assen, Marco Out, himself a fanatic cyclist, warmly welcomed the participants and wished them safe and beautiful kilometres. Out himself cycled all the way to Anreep.

Mayor Assen at the opening of Hersenletsel on Tour

The Mayor of Assen starts the bicycle tour in Assen. (Photo: Asser Courant, Ineke Heijting)

Van Raam

The Mayor of Assen looks at the different adapted bicycles. (Photo: Asser Courant, Ineke Heijting)

Duo bikes and tricycles Van Raam bicycle tour

The bicycles are ready for the bicycle tour. (Photo: Asser Courant, Ineke Heijting)

Preparation for bicycle tour Hersenletsen on Tour

Everyone gets on their bikes to start Hersenletsel on Tour. (Photo: Asser Courant, Ineke Heijting)

Festive departure for Hersenletsel on Tour

The bicycle tour has started! (Photo: Asser Courant, Ineke Heijting)

Start of the bicycle tour for Hersenletsel on Tour

The first metres are made. (Photo: Asser Courant, Ineke Heijting)

Hersenletsel on Tour side-by-side tandem Van Raam

From Beesterzwaag to UMCG Centre for Rehabilitation Beatrixoord in Haren on day 5 (photo: Hersenletsel on Tour).

Diederik Wierenga cycles for Hersenletsel on Tour on tricycle
Diederik Wierenga during Hersenletsel on Tour (Photo: Asser Courant, Ineke Heijting)

With TBI on a tricycle

Diederik Wierenga suffered a stroke in May 2009. Since then his right side of the body is weaker than the left and his balance is permanently disturbed. In 2009 he got acquainted with the adapted Easy Rider tricycle of Van Raam in the rehabilitation centre.

Diederik cycled on his tricycle during Hersenletsel on Tour. He told RTV Drenthe: 'I am taking part for the first year. We cycle 50 kilometres a day, in total about 300 kilometres. Because of cycling I have really improved, I can even write again.’

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