Painting with the Cortes at the little port of Eemnes
Louise Jonkman
Marketing manager at Huka
Last summer, we went to visit Wieky (73) in Baarn. She enjoys life to the full. With her easel and picnic basket, she cycles to the most beautiful places in the polder on her tricycle. “Without the Cortes, exercise would be problematic for me because walking is difficult for me. The Cortes makes sure I keep my muscles flexible,’ says Wieky.
Fallen twice on the two-wheeler
Wieky says: ‘I no longer felt safe on a two-wheeler because of several hip operations. Twice I had already fallen. I felt it was time for a different way of cycling. First I tried it on a low step-in bike, but I didn’t like that anyway. Then the tricycle came my way. This was the way for me to stay mobile.’
Regular exercise with the tricycle and ‘Netherlands moves’
‘Exercise is hugely important for me. I need to keep my hips flexible. On top of that, I had a minor TIA last April. If you then read on the internet that it is also advisable for your brain to keep moving regularly, I am glad that I can cycle regularly on the Cortes. I also enjoy participating in ‘Nederland beweegt’ on television.
Getting used to it physically and mentally
‘In the beginning, the tricycle took some getting used to, because it cycles totally differently because of the balance you don’t have to keep. Mentally, too, I had to push myself a bit. But in hindsight, I was 100% better off. It immediately felt good on the Cortes. It is easy to ride. It is a beautiful bike to look at and along the way I get such nice comments from young and old. ‘Look what a cool bike’, they’ll say.’
Taking the easel and picnic basket on the back
‘Meanwhile, we are four years on and I cycle every day when it is dry and not too cold. Cycling allows you to do a lot of fun things. I was also glad that I could still enjoy going out during the Corona era. Once every two weeks I take a nice trip in the area. I like to sketch and paint on the way. I then take the fold-out easel on the back or the picnic basket. I can then sit lazily in the Cortes chair to enjoy eating the picnic.’
‘I regularly cycle through the most beautiful places in the polder or head towards Oosterhout or Arnhem. Sometimes I stay two days in the monastery near Arnhem, an abbey called Koningsoord, and then I cycle back. You can also cycle beautifully towards Spakenburg, Soest or towards the little port of Eemnes. At the little harbour, for instance, I like to sketch or paint. It is so beautiful and peaceful there. A great environment it is.’
Friends on bikes
‘But I also like to try something new. I regularly seek out new cycling routes using good cycling maps and the ANWB route planner. Next year, I hope to cycle to Vlieland. On the way, I would then like to stay with the ‘Friends on a Bike’ initiative. People can register with this initiative if you want to make (larger) cycling trips and stay at various addresses along the way. There you can then also recharge your battery, for example. Once I arrive on Vlieland, I would like to enjoy nature and space again. After all, I have been there before. It is a beautiful island. You can enjoy cycling on the beaches and there are many opportunities to go out. It’s nice that I can still go anywhere!’
Would you like to know more about the Huka tricycle or experience the Cortes by taking a free test ride? Contact us at +31 (0)541-572 472 or send an e-mail to info@hukabikes.com.
Louise Jonkman
Marketing manager at Huka
As Marketing Manager, Louise played a key role in Huka’s growth from 2018 to 2024. With her strategic vision and dedication to quality, she took marketing to the next level. Thanks to Louise’s efforts, Huka’s products and brand are more firmly anchored in the market and with our customers. During her time at Huka, Louise wrote engaging blogs and news articles in which she shared her knowledge and insights about the brand with our readers.
