26 years ago, Magne found out that he has a disease that causes deaf-blindness. It has never taken away his enjoyment of cycling.

Magne Fridtjof Karlsen lives in Kløfta and was born with hearing loss, which means he uses hearing aids in both ears. In 1996, he also found out that he has “Retinitis Pigmentosa”. It is a disease caused by a gene defect, and affects the retina and loss of sight. Usually first in the form of night blindness, and gradually increasing loss and narrowing of the field of vision.

– I have approx. three percent side vision, he says, and adds:

– I can still see the landscape from a distance, but I have poor vision at short distances. It is called deafblindness, because it is a combined loss of vision and hearing.

Today, there are approximately 350 people in Norway who are registered with deafblindness.

– You have to see opportunities and not just limitations

Magne’s disease continued to progress after he discovered it. In 2011, he therefore decided to stop cycling alone. Nevertheless, he wanted to stay in the good cycling environment and continue to feel a sense of mastery.

– You have to see opportunities and not just limitations, so then tandem cycling was a fantastic solution, he says.

He says that the transition from single to tandem went smoothly, but at the same time admits that it was unusual to no longer have control over gearing and braking.

Today he is a member of Achilles Norway. It is a sports association for all disabled people who want to play sports. Achilles is not a separate, public cycling club, but they are included in Moss Cykle Klubb as a separate tandem group.

– I am impressed by how Moss CK has arranged for us with pilots etc. And not least the training program in collaboration with Fokus Trening in Moss, he boasts, and continues:

– And I am grateful to the pilots who have lined up for races, training sessions and contributed to all the experiences!

The first ever in Jotunheimen Rundt

Magne has participated ten times at Lillehammer-Oslo, eight times at Trondheim-Oslo and twice at Jotunheimen Rundt. In addition, he has won the NM tempo three times and the NM cup twice.

He is also the first to complete the Jotunheimen Rundt on tandem.

– Jotunheimen Rundt is the finest tour. It is a fantastic and spectacular natural experience, he says, and adds that his excellent pilot Geir Wiggen has been on both trips.

But even though he has experienced a lot already, it does not stop here for the determined rider.

– The goal next year is to drive Trondheim-Oslo, if I get a pilot. Otherwise, it will be Lillehammer-Oslo and Jotunheimen Rundt for the third time. As usual, my expectations are to be able to complete these races, but at the same time it must be good with both pilots and form, he concludes.