Scorpion review
Scorpion review by Susie Kisber
I received a $4000 grant from GoHawkeye Foundation in May 2024. The money allowed me
to purchase a HP Velotechnik Scorpion Plus 20 recumbent e-assist trike with mountain
bike tires and a Rohloff hub. I had been dreaming of and fundraising for this particular
model with these specs for quite a while. I had dreamed of all the places I would be able to
ride, the freedom it would allow, the comfort I would feel on such a well-constructed
vehicle with top of the line shocks and the different types of terrains I would be able to
traverse.
Actually, receiving the trike and for the 1st time having access to a trike whenever I wanted
to ride it, was a million times better than I ever imagined! The mountain bike tires allow me
to ride on sand, ice, snow and through the woods over roots and rocks. I regularly
encounter deer, owls, rabbits, coyotes, cows, butterflies as well as beautiful trees and
wildflowers. I ride for hours at a time. This feels so liberating! Not only can I go whenever I
want for as long as I want, but also I can join friends whether they are hiking or biking. This
is especially amazing because previously, I was limited to short rides at adaptive cycling
programs on trikes that were worn out and often broke down while I was riding. Also, before
getting my trike, I had little off road experience. Now most of my riding is off road.
I worked with an industrial artist to design a system that uses ramps and a wench hooked
up to the battery in my van. This allows to me to travel far and wide taking my trike with me.
Last spring I spent 3 weeks on the road visiting friends and cycling in Bend, Oregon; Seattle,
as well as the Hood Canal area and Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington State.
The Rohloff hub allows me to stop and start whenever I need to, even in the middle of a
steep hill. With the e-assist, no distance is too long and I’m able to climb very steep
inclines. This trike has truly opened up worlds to me and allows me a freedom beyond my
wildest dreams.
The vendor I worked with in Seattle, was kind enough to rush it to me so that it arrived in
time for my 1st ride on it to be in a bikeathon to raise money for BORP, the adaptive cycling
program where I learned to cycle and fell in love with riding. I raised over $800 and that day I
rode 30 miles through Santa Rosa after never having ridden more than 10 miles. It was so
fun and easy because the trike was perfect for my needs. Since then, I volunteered at
BORP’s fundraiser last year and rode in 2 bikathons to raise money for Palestine.
As a result of all the cycling I do, my health has improved and I’m stronger. I no longer fall as
often I did when I was hiking with my walker. I have shared my enthusiasm about cycling
with others who didn’t think they would be able to ride. It is fun to see them try out my trike
and realize that they, too, can cycle.
The GoHawkeye Foundation gave me my biggest grant and finished off my fundraising. I’m
so grateful!! The grant has meant the world to me.
Thank you so much!!
