About Us

The U.S. Blind Tandem Cycling Connection is legally recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. 

Mission

The U.S. Blind Tandem Cycling Connection endeavors to increase the participation of individuals who are visually impaired or blind in the exhilarating sport of tandem cycling.

Vision

Our vision is that everyone with a visual impairment has the opportunity to experience tandem cycling, with its’ feeling of freedom and sensation of speed. Also, we look forward to more sighted cyclists experiencing the satisfaction of captaining tandems and sharing the ride.

Our aspiration is that every school for the blind and every major city will support a blind tandem cycling club. Our hope is that more visually impaired individuals will cycle regularly, meeting new people, joining training rides, and competing in events.

Our website went LIVE on January 19th, 2010. Our database of captains and stokers is increasing and more dots, representing riders, are showing up on the USA map. The more cyclists that create profiles, the more riding opportunities there will be for everyone.

What We Do

We serve as a resource to:

• Connect blind and visually impaired cyclists with sighted cyclists
• Educate people about tandem cycling
• Disseminate information about cycling clubs, events, and opportunities
• Address the needs of the blind tandem cycling community

Board of Directors

Christine Tinberg, Founder and President, is an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology at Los Angeles City College.  She captained a tandem at the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes’ 2008 Developmental Cycling Camp held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The following summer, she trained with, and was honored to ride a tandem with Nancy Stevens in the 2009 U.S. Paralympics Road Cycling National Championships. Christine holds a B.S. degree in Sports Medicine and a M.S. degree in Ministry from Pepperdine University, and a M.S. degree in Exercise Science from Arizona State University. She cycles on the road and on the dirt in the Santa Monica Mountains near her home.

Nancy Stevens stoked a tandem 3000 miles from Portland to New York City in 2000.  She won three gold medals at the International Triathlon World Championships in the Visually Impaired Division in 2005, 2006, and 2007.  A talented teacher and trainer, Nancy organized two Tri-It Triathlon Camps for blind athletes and sighted guides in Glenwood Springs, CO, in 2007 and 2008.  Nancy is passionate about encouraging others to be confident, to set goals, and to make things happen. We appreciate her energy, enthusiasm, and experience.