The Tandem Club has a Disabilities Liaison Officer who may be able to help with queries related to disabled people and to visually impaired cyclists.
Contact: - Alan Tibble - telephone: 01522-695781.
email:
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Alan, stoking with wife Mary as captain
photo: Richard Whiteley
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Have you ever wanted to have a go at a time trial
The Bold Tulip Marathon is an event, which is held in the Spalding area of Lincolnshire, cycled over the marathon distance where all the stokers are either blind or partially sighted. It is very much a fun day with only two or three keen competitors. In addition, there is a social gathering in the evening, with a good meal at a very reasonable price.
This event usually takes place in April. For further details contact: - Mary Clark, 101 Eastwood Road, Boston, Lincs, PE21 0PW.
Tel. 01205 366133
email:
Time Trialling with the CTT
Alan has negotiated with the CTT (Cycling Time Trials) on behalf of disabled stokers that the disabled person may apply for a dispensation to ride in solo events on a tandem, provided the field is not full and this dispensation applies (in his case) to his own county and the adjoining counties. The reason for this is that if a person wishes to time trial often there may not be many events for tandems in a person's own area.
Anyone interested should either contact Alan or contact the competitions secretary of the CTT as each person will need to apply for their own dispensation direct to the CTT. To find contact details for the CTT secretary, look at the CTT website, at the following address: - www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk
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Manchester Velodrome
For the more adventurous, how about trying lapping around the Manchester Velodrome?
Under Sport For All, British Cycling will provide a steersperson and a track tandem free of charge to disabled riders. I have tried it and it's quite an experience!
Contact: - Andrea Ingram, Access for All, Manchester Velodrome, National Cycling Centre, Stewart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ
email:
Newport Velodrome
They also have track tandems at Newport Velodrome which are used as part of the Welsh Disability Cycling Performance Program by visually impaired youth and senior riders.
For further information contact: - Neil Smith
email:
Talking Journal
The Tandem Club produces its bi-monthly journal as a Talking Journal on audio tape for visually impaired people.
Contact: - Anne & Mike Wesson - telephone: 01908 551266
email:
Vitalise
Vitalise (formerly Winged Fellowship Trust) is a national disability charity providing breaks for disabled adults, children and their carers. They run several tandem holidays for visually impaired people every year. These holidays are aimed at beginners through to advanced cyclists and take place around the UK and Europe with occasional trips to more exotic locations around the world. Along with the visually impaired riders on these tandem holidays, they are always in need of sighted front riders. Full tandem training is offered on beginners holidays.
To find out more, have a look at their web site: -
http://www.vitalise.org.uk
For detailed information on holidays for visually impaired people,
contact: -
email:
Life Cycle UK - Two's Company
Life Cycle UK is a charity that helps people take up cycling by equipping them with the skills, the knowledge and the confidence to make cycling part of their everyday lives. Their Two's Company initiative is aimed at helping visually impaired people to ride on tandems with a sighted captain.
To find out more, have a look at their web site: -
http://www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/twos_company.php
For more information, contact them via the link on their website.
Tandem Experience
Quoting from the Tandem Experience website, "If you have a disability or would like to learn to ride a tandem with someone who has a disability, all you need is a positive attitude and we’ll provide the opportunity to make it happen."
Go to the Tandem Experience website Disabilities page for more information: -
http://www.tandeming.co.uk
