Blog

Bicycling Blind Los Angeles - February Ride

March 19, 2012 by ctinberg

We are building a committed group of captains and stokers that ride once a month. In February, we rode 22 miles around Westlake and Thousand Oaks. Gotta love our Southern California winters! Ron Skarin (pictured in the center in the white helmet and sunglasses), a 2-time Olympian, 10 time national champion, and world record holder, has joined our cadre of tandem captains. To Ron’s right is Corey Reed, a blind, below-the-knee amputee, snowboarder who is training to compete internationally. Come join us!

Blind Triathlete finds a Tandem Captain while on Vacation

August 15, 2011 by ctinberg

Richard Hunter, a blind triathlete, was concerned he wouldn’t be able to keep up his training on the bike while on vacation with his family. But, using our database and search engine, he found tandem captain, Louis Du Brey of Klamath Falls, Oregon, the same town where his family regularly travels. Richard wrote to us and said, “Riding with him made my trip! We did 13, 33, and 70 mile rides. Louis is a VERY strong tandem captain and so passionate about cycling that he rides his single bike with special tires with snow studs! I have a new friend and riding partner.”

Bicycling Blind Los Angeles' June Ride

July 07, 2011 by ctinberg

We enjoyed a typical southern California “June gloom” morning, for our June ride. It kept the temperatures cool and the air refreshing with a hint of mist coming down. We had a smaller group than our May ride, since many people were on vacation. Eight stokers went for a ride. One blind stoker rode a bike for the very first time in her life! She yelled, “Woo-hoo”, with joy as she and I sped down a short descent immediately out of the parking lot!

Bicycling Blind Los Angeles

June 22, 2011 by ctinberg

Our May group ride was a huge success with 12 beautiful tandems rolling around Westlake Village. Many thanks to the cycling clubs, Ventura County b.o.m.b. and Colavita of southern California, for providing bikes and captains. Also, thanks to the Conejo Valley Cyclists for donating helmets, gloves, and jerseys for our blind/visually impaired cyclists. We are aiming to ride every month. For information, email christine [at] bicyclingblind [dot] org

Bicyclingblind.org Signs for your Bike

June 03, 2011 by ctinberg

Show motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists that you believe in sharing the ride! Attach a bicyclingblind.org sign to your bike! Each sign is $5, which includes postage and 3 zip ties. Made of firm plastic, waterproof, with blue raised lettering on both sides. Email us if you want one!

Erik Weihenmayer - Blind Climber/Mountaineer Stays Fit Riding Tandem Mountain Bikes

March 06, 2011 by ctinberg

Here's a photo of Erik on a training ride going over Rollins Pass in Colorado. Erik has climbed the highest peak on every continent. Tandem mountain biking keeps him fit when he's not scaling mountains of rock, snow, and ice. Thanks Touch The Top for sharing this photo with us!

Developmental Cycling Camp at the Olympic Training Center

February 21, 2011 by ctinberg

"Learn to Race" Developmental Cycling Camp for Riders with Disabilities, April 30 - May 6, 2011, is open to riders with visual impairments. Sighted tandem captains are needed, too. Camp is held at the Olympic Training Center, in Chula Vista, CA. Cyclists learn bike handling skills, safe riding techniques, and road racing strategies. Campers must be legally blind, have cerebral palsy or a head injury, have a signficant amputation or have a lower mobility impairment. Disabled military veterans and active duty service members are strongly encouraged to attend. Cyclists must possess the fitness and equipment to make it through all the activities of the week-long camp.

For an application and questions call: Pam Fernandes, Cycling Camp Coordinator, at 781-449-9563 or email her at pamala [at] quikus [dot] com The camp is offered through a partnership with U.S. Handcycling, Disabled Sports USA, U.S. Paralympics, and the United States Association of Blind Athletes.

Pictured below are tandem captain, Clay Sharp and blind stoker, Stan Moore, leading the pack in the CoMotion Classic Tandem Stage Race.

La Ruta de los Conquistorades - Mountain Bike Race - Registration Opened

February 08, 2011 by ctinberg

La Ruta de los Conquistadores is a 4-day stage race in Costa Rica for mountain bikers. They pedal from the west coast to the east coast, forging rivers, climbing mountains, and sweating in the jungle. A friend of ours, Lori Miller, a blind stoker, competed in this race. She may be the only blind racer they've ever had. We couldn't get a photo of Lori. But, here's a shot of Henry Abel and Amy Mitchell, friends of Bicycling Blind, racing their tandem.

Want to ride RAGBRAI with Bicycling Blind?

February 02, 2011 by ctinberg

Who wants to ride RAGBRAI, the famous ride through the small towns of Iowa, this summer? We'd register as a group/team, Bicycling Blind, with sighted captains and blind/visually impaired stokers. It's 434 miles, with over 20,000 feet of climbing, so you average about 70 miles per day. July 24th-30th, 2011. It's a big party on wheels, with about 10,000 cyclists. Contact Christine [at] bicyclingblind [dot] org

South America to Alaska by Tandem

January 20, 2011 by ctinberg

Tandem couple, Tauru Shaw and Christiana Brochuk, both legally blind, plan to ride their tandem from the bottom of South America to Deadhorse, Alaska, pushing off in January 2012. They'll cycle through 18 countries, yelling, "Hola!" to locals for thousands of miles, as they pedal north. They'll visit schools for the blind along the way, bringing hope and inspiration to those with visual impairments. Tauru and Christi's resume of outdoor adventures is staggering: summitting Mt. Whitney, Denali, and Rainier; trekking the 100 mile Annapurna circuit in Nepal, and cycling across the USA, to name a few. What will YOU do in 2012? Make it a year to remember!