Several months ago I applied to be a volunteer Captain cyclist with the Toronto Trailblazers and this morning was my orientation day. The Toronto Trailblazers is a unique bicycle club, it is a recreational bicycle club where people with impaired vision is matched up with good sighted volunteer Captain to ride a tandem bike.
Theresia and I went to the CNIB headquarters on Bayview Ave in Toronto for the orientation session. The orientation session consist of one hour 'class room' and one hour practise ride. Lynda S., the president, matched me up with an experience Stoker, Coranna, and Chris S. conduct the orientation.
Chris did an excellent job explaining the 'ins and outs' of tandem cycling with a visually challenge partner; he stressed the importance of communications with your partner and showed us in detail the 'protocol' of getting on and off the tandem bike, stopping and starting the ride. I found that starting the ride was the most challenging.
Coranna was an excellent Stoker. She had lots of experience riding as a Stoker with different Captains. I was glad that I had her as my first Stoker. She was patient and gave me many pointers during our ride together.
After the indoor practise we went outdoors for a short ride. The weather was nice, sunny, no wind and about 10 Celsius. Riding a tandem bicycle is a bit different, it is not as agile and responsive as a single rider bicycle. I had a great time and a wonderful experience - thank you Toronto Trailblazers.
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| Practise ride at the CNIB underground parking. |
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| Ready to roll............ |
