“This works well for people with reduced cognitive capabilities as well as for everyone,” claims Grete Skjøstad, occupational therapist. “The idea is for the cyclists to get associations and to reminisce, and it works very well. With some luck, people can forget the exercise altogether and simply immerse themselves in the videos.”
Outside, the sky is grey and the rain clouds hover over the town. To Svein that doesn’t matter, since the weather in the videos is always nice. He is engaged on his virtual trip. This time he is travelling through Oppdal, a village 150 km from Stjørdal. “I guess you’re afraid to ride in the middle of the road, being used to a racer,” Grete asks him. “Nope, that’s not a problem!” Svein smiles.
“This is first class exercise,” he says. “You don’t need to be an athlete to use it. This is a great piece of technology!”