Blind tandem
 

Last weekend i saw a tandem ride by and on the back of the high visibility vest of the rear rider was printed "Caution. Blind Cyclist"


I thought what a great idea to give blind people the chance to enjoy riding a bike, but then thought that is an immense amount of trust the blind person has to have in the front rider. Would you trust someone totally like that to lead your ride?

Well I guess the blind stoker would not have a choice if he/she wants to ride. As far as a tandem, my wife can't see around me so plenty of time on the back is trusting that the captain does the right thing, calling out potholes, bumps etc.

There is a blind stoker on BF. She owns a tandem and at least one of the guys here has captained for her. She doesn't like downhills.

oh i can imagine. i imagine it is like being on a roller coaster and not seeing the drop coming.

maybe being blind is not that much of a disadvantage being the stoker. i don't know. i've never beeen on a tandem.

The bike shop I worked for used to have a day where we would give blind kids rides on tandems around a local park. It was a blast.

For a long time, I went to school with a blind kid. In middle school, he'd go on the skiing field trips with a guide, and in high school he ran cross country (his dad would run with him in the races, we'd run with him in training). I think when you are blind you have to have a great deal of trust in your guides no matter what you are doing, so it's not a stretch to jump on the back of a tandem and do that.

I rode many, many miles with a blind stoker years ago. Fabulous cyclist and one of the most impressive athletes I've ever known. And yes, he's been in some bad crashes (but none while I was captain).

Last year, I was piloting for a blind girl who owns a nice Cannondale in Mar Vista, but I don't have as much time now that I'm shopping for a house and expecting a baby. She's not afraid of downhills (I wish we had a computer on when we descended Latigo), but she's not fond of the heat.

There were at least 2 visually impaired stokers at the Co-Motion Classic Tandem Stage Race this year. How would yould like to be doing a crit blind?

I wanted to get her up there last year. She's thinking of moving to Oregon anyway.

Think I could have taught her to throw an elbow?

when I lived near boston we had a customer who was losing his vision. we got him and inexpensive tandem and set it up so when he could no longer captain it would be easy to set up for his wife to takeover.


actually this gives me a bit of an idea. I always wanted a tandem but never had a stoker perhaps I can do some public service with one....

If you think that takes a lot of trust, watch blind skiers. They ski behind a guide, there only clue to fallow is the guide clicking his polls together. I have seen blind skiers flying down blue runs, 20+mph, biggest smile ever.

I know a blind runner/cyclist who did a 1600km tandem ride to raise funds for a foundation for blind people.

How about this?

http://www.cyclingforsight.org/conte...TheRiders.html

Any tandem stoker must have plenty of trust in the captain, blind or not. The stoker has no control whatsoever on the bike. Communication is a very important skill a captain must develop to make sure his/her stoker feels comfortable and safe.

I have the pleasure of riding with a blind stoker who rode for Singapore at the Sydney Olympics.

I tried being a blindfolded stoker myself and it was difficult. It took a while to develop any faith.

I have been a ride captain (5 years now) with a local organisation (EXsight) we take visualy impaired and some handicaped stokers riding reguarly on a tueasday and Thursday with some others on demand,
The group have 8 cannondales and a swag of Appolo;s and one Trek (with electric front wheel)
Most of the stokes have been cyclists who have failed vision and crave for the feel of speed.
Others have been blind from birth and it is their fun day out .
The Trek gets a work out with the most un fit and first timers, most rides see up to 4 teams ride around 40km with a coffee stop mid way and a social chat.

I'm interested, have posted Qs in the past, because a close friend has just about hit zero eyesight over the last 2yrs & retired early. He & his wife bought a tandem, but neither of them has 'tandem experience' (she does ride regularly). She has understandable trepidation about getting out there and has been looking for advice. I've passed on some websites & the like, but I'm "all ears" on how people get started and acquire skills for this - in both seats. One idea I haven't launched yet is for me to jump in the front seat and let the (sighted) wife sit stoker w/ a blindfold. Is this a good or a bad idea?

When my wife was no longer able to walk un aided I decided we should try a tandem
I found a group (EXsight) and tried it out .
The first ride was as a stoker so I could find out what the captain did and how comunication was transmitted.
I then borrowed a older tandem and rode a number of rides solo to get the feel for the bike.
The second EXsight ride was with a powerful small stoker who gave me the feel for a tandem team
The third ride was with wife along for a 20km ride and we both felt we should get our own tandem.
Unfortunately quality tandems are scarce in Aus and we finaly found a medium frame Cannondale and have never looked back
I do all the ballance as captain and tell her 'star on the pedals' and try to give clear indications of stopping and starting and it is her job for indications for turns.
We have been riding now for 5 years and happy.
So is EXsight as i ride as captain for a variety of visual impaired stokers most weeks often 2 rides and we all have a good ride
Hope this helps
Joe