The Blind Buzz: Attention all interested in Paracycling

I’m pleased to pass on this information, recieved today from Paul West at British Cycling. Please get in touch with him if you want to get involved in these events. His contact information is at the end of this blog entry.

 

For more cycling information for blind people, please keep an eye on this blog, and visit
Vince’s Parallax: Tandem Cycling and Blind People

Vince Thacker.

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Hi all

Hope you are all ok and still managing to get some biking in despite the current weather conditions.

In order to bring you up to speed (and hopefully help keep you motivated through the dark winter months) I attach the paracycling programme as it currently stands for 2011.

As the events start to appear on the horizon I hope to keep you all up to date with closing dates, entry details etc.

Also, sometime early in the new year I hope to try to arrange a get together weekend probably either here in Manchester or down in Newport. This will probably consist of a session or two on the track (No experience necessary and including indoor exercises for handcyclists) and a road ride or two in the local countryside. In order to get an idea of possible numbers, it would be helpful to receive an advice as to who might be interested in being part of such a weekend away. It is envisaged that whilst accommodation would be down to the individual to finance that the fee for attendance itself would probably be around the £25 mark, if not a lot less, depend on anticipated numbers

Any worries do come back to me.

All the best and kindest regards

Paul West

Event Development Officer – British Cycling

Cycle Speedway, Para-Cycling & Track

paulwest@britishcycling.org.uk<mailto:jodydew@britishcycling.org.uk> | +44 (0) 7507 64 1267 +44 (0) 161 274 2021| National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester. M11 4DQ

Please note British Cycling have temporarily relocated to the following address:
British Cycling, c/o Fujitsu Services, Central Park, Northampton Road, Manchester. M40 5BP

2011 Paracycling Programme

Date	Event Name	Location	Event type
11th-13th March	World Track Champs	Montichiari (Italy)	World Champs
27th March	Rudy Project TT Round 1	East London	National Series	tba
10th April	Rudy Project TT Round 2	Cumbria	National Series	D.Hall
16th April	SAGM	Salt Ayre	National Series	Neville Pearson
22nd  April	Rudy Project TT Round 3	Buxton	National Series	R.Towse
29th April- 1st May	World Road Cup 1	Asia/Oceana/Africa	World Cup
30th April	Yorkshire Day at the Races	Tockwith Autodrome	National Series	Pete Sutton
6th-8th May	World Road Cup 1	Asia/Oceana/Africa	World Cup
7th May	Rudy Project TT Round 4	Doncaster	National Series	Basak Tufekci
7th May	Tandem Sprint Competition	Herne Hill	Tandem	Jason Cattermole
14th May	Tandem Sprint Competition	Scunthorpe	Tandem	Sue Parsons
15th May	Thruxton Circuit Races	Thruxton	National Series	Sue Knight
20th-22nd May	World Road Cup 2	Europe	World Cup
22nd May	Newcastle Track Meeting	Newcastle u Lyne	Tandem Champs	Paul Barber
27th-29th May	World Road Cup 2	Europe	World Cup
3rd-5th June	World Road Cup 3	Europe	World Cup
10th-12th June	World Road Cup 3	Europe	World Cup
17th- 19th June	Road – P1	Liege ( Bel)	P1
19th June	Horwich Criteriums	Horwich, Lancs	National Series	Dave Leyland
25th June	Redbridge Circuit Races	Redbridge ( Hogg Hill)	National Championship	Ian Coles
2nd July	Prissick Circuit Races	Prissick (North East)	National Series	Andrew Johnston
8th-10th July	World Road Cup 4	Baie-Comeau, Canada	World Cup
9th July	CDNW Youth Meeting	Preston Arena	National Series	Matt Winston
30th July	Darley Moor Circuit Races	Darley Moor	National Series	Arthur Gamble
6th August	Rudy Project TT Round 5	Midlands (Stourport)	National Championship	A. Hart
12th-14th August	Amputee Games	Stoke Manderville	Come &  Try It Programme	Keira Roche
13th-14th August	Kent International	Fowlmead, Kent	International	Paul Panton
28th August	Lichfield Circuit Races	Lichfield	Paracycling C/Races	Phil Kelly
5th-9th September	World Road Champs	Roskilde, Denmark	World Road Champs
17th September	Rudy Project TT Round 6	Hull	National Series	M.Williams
28th Sept – 30th Sept	National Track Champs	Manchester	National Track Champs	Willi Tarren
1st October	Rudy Project TT Round 7	Nottingham	National Series	G.Jenkins
15th October	Rudy Project TT Round 8	Poole	National Series	R.Spencer
TBC	GP Wales	Newport	International	Neil Smith

The Blind Buzz on Macular Degeneration

Please note: nothing in this blog constitutes medical advice, and you should therefore seek individual advice from a qualified health professional if you are affected by macular degeneration.

There are many rubbishy sites that appear to be assembled automatically on this subject – I have tried to keep to sites of reasonable quality. However, please use your own judgement on material found on the Internet, including here.

More information on macular degeneration on my page of Macular Degeneration Links –

http://www.freewebs.com/batfromhell/mdlin.html

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AHAF’s Children’s Corner for Macular Degeneration – a site to teach children about macular degeneration so that they can help older people in their lives who have it.

Awareness of modifiable risk factors key in addressing age-related eye diseases – article also indicates some factors that help.

Charles Bonnet syndrome: case presentation and literature Review – [Optometry. 2009] – interesting example of CBS, which is a condition where someone with sight loss who does not have a mental health problem sees hallucinations.

Eccentric Viewing – Learn to Use your Peripheral Vision – WebRN Macular Degeneration – use the best parts of your vision, rather than struggle with the worst.

How do you maintain your independence with macular degeneration?

How Much Vitamin A Is Necessary To Prevent Macular Degeneration? | LIVESTRONG.COM – the article refers to the AREDS (Age Related Eye Disease Study), which is maybe our best source for this information.

How to improve your senses (Eyes) « The Pilates Place (SG)

Less of a Poke in the Eye (HGSI, REGN, SNY, VRTX) – successful trials for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ new drug (VEGF Trap-Eye ) promises less injections per year for those with wet AMD.

Macular Degeneration – Colored Lens – WebRN Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration – Reviews For Healthy Living – a useful introduction to this topic.

Macular Degeneration Foundation – News – recent research, assistive technology and events.

Macular Degeneration Patients Recieve Viable New Treatment – the FDA has approved a trial of embryonic stem cell treatment for a form of macular degeneration, Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy. The go-ahead has been given to ACT (Advanced Cell Technology). You may also like to read
Advanced Cell Technology announces FDA clearance for SMD study | TradingMarkets.com – hope for other forms of macular degeneration.

Melatonin for Macular Degeneration? – please note that the article makes clear that this is a possible line of research, and can’t yet be recommended as a treatment.

New test for age related macular degeneration | Phoenix News | Arizona News | azfamily.com | Your Life A-Z – genetic test could mean more custom treatments.

Protecting your Eyes from the Winter Sun – Eyes.com – blue and UV light can still be hazardous in winter.

Sharp Eyesight Thanks to Proper Nutrients

Team finds mutation involved in macular degeneration – research in Manchester finds siggnificant genetic change that can increase risk of macular degeneration.

The Vitamin D Story. An Old Dog with Some New Tricks

What Is AMD? What Is Macular Degeneration? – Medical News Today News Article – symptoms, diagnosis, some possible treatments.

The Blind Buzz on Gardening

Allotment gardeners reap healthy rewards (11/27/2010) – a study shows the benefits of working an allotment, particularly for those over 60.

Enjoying The Abundance Indoors: THE WINTER SENSORY GARDEN – Comfort in the Midst of Chaos

Hiller oversees acclaimed garden nurtured by the blind | chestnuthilllocal.com

Horticulture Center at School for the Blind « Garden Club Salon – horticultural therapy at Perkins School for the Blind.

Really appreciate plants’ feel, smell | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun – gardening and cookery at e Braille Institute in Rancho Mirage helps students to recognise plants by touch, smell and flavour.

Report highlights value of school gardening / RHS Gardening – new RHS report shows value of gardening to children with special educational needs.

Square Foot Gardening is Anything but Square « Gardeninggrrl’s Blog – some of the advantages of this gardening system, often adopted by blind and visually impaired people.

Visually impaired and blind children learn to garden – ANR IMPACT – Master Gardeners in San Diego County held a summer camp for visually impaired children, who left the camp with a love of plants and gardening.

The Blind Buzz on Photography

Albert Watson – celebrity photographer, blind in one eye, featured on BBC Radio 4 Front Row

Blind Photographers – the WB – article prompted by the showing of "Dark Light", particularly the work of Pete Eckert.

Celebrity Photographer Johnny Nunez Partners With New Era to Launch His Limited Edition 59FIFTY Cap – he wants to encourage visually impaired youth to get into photography.

Dark Light: The Art of Blind Photographers – Flavorwire – a little background on the documentary recently screened on HBO.

[Book] Journeys Through Darkness | By Alina Oswald, Photographs by Kurt Weston – biography of Kurt Weston, who lost much of his sight through AIDS.

Leicester Grammar School exhibits Blind with Camera – BBC Leicester

“Out of Darkness” by Nick Mandri – Blind Photography Documentary – Kickstarter – Spanish sound-track with English subtitles.

Photos By Blind Inspire Seoul – there has been an exhibition of blind photography since 2007. The photographers are assisted by volunteers at Seoul’s Sangmyung University, South Korea.

Sargy Mann: the blind painter of Peckham | Art and design | The Observer

Training the blind to see – Science Show – 27 November 2010 – ABC Radio, Australia – enabling blind people to see images using sound.

Water droplet | Blinkie Photography – Andrew Follows captured this with a Nikon D90 and a macro lens.

The Blind Buzz: Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair this weekend

Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair 2010 – a chance to visit the garden, sample some lovely foods and maybe buy a special gift. The garden is in the heart of London.

Dates and Times

• Saturday, 27th November, 11-4
• Sunday, 28th November 10-4

Saturday ticket holders will be able to visit on Sunday for free.

The Blind Buzz on Tandem Cycling

3 Ways to Compete in Tandem Cycling for the Blind

Blind cyclists and hikers plant trees in Refa’im Valley – Jerusalem Post – cyclists also raise funds for the Israel Guide Dogs.

Bury Tandem Club completes annual trip to Southport and back – Southport Visiter – fund-raising run has taken place for a decade.

cairo to capetown 2011.: Major supporter of Cairo to Capetown 2011. Illawarra Fasteners – raising funds for
exSight Tandems, New South Wales.

Charlotte’s Tandems – Home & Contact – have tandems for disabled people to borrow free of charge. Based Gloucestershire, UK.

Complete Street Smarts – in the USA, there is a movement to make the streets more accesible for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.

Cycling kicks alternative sports in high schools in gear – Students with disabilities included – SoMdNews.com

David Tseng – World Access for the Blind – he goes mountain biking using sonar, and we’re not talking tandems here.

For Two – Mid-Life Cycling – NewYork woman recalls being pilot for a young blind woman, and trying to narrate the sights.

GANTS HILL: Blind cyclist chips in for whopping charity total (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)Anthony Lane is a blind local resident who has raised £4,000 lus by taking part in a bike ride in Kenya.

Good Wheels: Fully-Abled Fun for Disabled Riders! – It’s MY Crisis and I’ll Cry if I Need To – based at ISCD, the Center for the Disabled in Ramat Gan, Israel, disabled and non-disabled cyclists completed a 400Km ride.

Jones, Cowie team up for historic first – Meyrick Jone lost a leg, and Brian Cowie is blind. They are the first disabled athletes to complete the Ironman Canada triathlon.

Knoxville, Tennessee’s Club VIBES… « The TandemGeek’s Blog – VIBES (Visually Impaired and Blind Extension Services) has a wide remit, including a tandem biking scheme.

McChrystal to lead ‘Honor the Warrior’ ride – CharlotteObserver.com – blind ex-General takes part in local fund-raising ride.

[Video] Milano-Sanremo Cycling race 2010..Partenza! with Cinzia Coluzzi – Cinzia Coluzzi was born blind.

Mountain bike movie, "Race Across the Sky" hits theaters Thursday night – Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to climb Mount Everest, is also the only blind person to complete the Leadville Trail 100. 
Read a review of the documentary.

my first organized tandem cycling experience ever – the blind cook – Houston, we have a problem – we’ve missed the short tandem route, so we’re going to have to take the long one – after 3am? And
the second episode…..

Passing of a Great Woman | The Blind Viewpoint — Erik Weihenmayer – a tribute to Kathy Urschel, who amongst other things, wn a medal at the Atlanta Paralympics for tandem cycling.

Pilots take visually impaired for bicycle ride – a group of pilots and aircraft engineers in Turkey have started a tandem riding scheme with visually impaired people.

Preparing for an Epic Journey – Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind » ews – Hein Wagner, blind world land speed record-holder and cyclist Gerrie Olivier will tackle the Cape Epic Race in Kenya.

Raising Hope Through A Bike Ride – Queens Tribune – Rebecca Alexander wants to raise awareness of Usher’s Syndrome type III, a condition that can leave people blind and deaf. She has the condition herself, and was due to take a tandem ride as part of a Lighthouse event at the end of October.

[Video] Ranken Jordan-Tour de Unite Bike Parade & Race 2010 – In celebration of Tandemonium, a national day designated for tandem cycling for blind and visually impaired youth, Tour de Unite invited folks to hop a bike and join a parade lap of tandem bicycles – or any kind of bicycle! – on the official Gateway Cup course at Francis Park in Saint Louis.

Ride Blind Racing, Bobby McMullen – with several injuries, medical conditions and blindness to his name, Bobby is a pretty amazing cyclist.

Riding Tandem with the Blind – one man’s experience of being a pilot in New Zealand.

RNZFB election results announced and blind cyclist honoured for inspiring achievements | infonews.co.nz New Zealand’s local news community – Jayne Parsons, who is going for Paralympic Gold in 2012, honoured by The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB).

Steve Baskis: Blind Tandem Cyclist and now a Himalayan Mountain Climber | Bicycling Blind

Tri-California and the City of Santa Clarita launch TRIFECTA – News – Triathlon Business – Swim, Bike, Run Manufacturers, Distributors and Retailers – Global Triathlon Industry Information Portal – "Tri-California Inc today announced TRIFECTA, a new lifestyle-sports festival that is the first of its kind to bring together three running, three cycling, and three triathlon courses during a single weekend event.". This will take place in June, 2011.

The Blind Buzz on Tandem Cycling

For more on blind people and tandem cycling, please see my web page,
Vince’s Parallax: Tandem Cycling and Blind People

I haven’t touched this subject for a long time, hence the length of this entry. There is more to come, hopefully later this week.

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Activities for Disabled Adults | eHow.com – includes bike riding.

All the way on a tandem « my room – Derek Pritchard, aged 71 and blind, is cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for Bury Tandem Club for the Blind.

Andrea Bocelli proves that cycling is also his forte | Mail Online – opera star takes bike ride, guided by his fiancée placing her hand on his sholder (technique not recommended!).

BBC Horizon: Is Seeing believing? – looks at how the senses can affect one another, and includes a cyclist who navigates by echo location.

Beta test the new Velo Vision website! – eloVision Online – your opinions valued.

Bicycle Built For Two | Losing Vision Gaining Insight – Belinda Brasley discovers the delights of tandem riding.

Bicycling Blind | Connecting blind cyclists with sighted pilots – based USA

Blind, 9-Time Cancer Survivor Who Rode Bike To Memphis Dies At 21 – Breaking News – Chattanoogan.com – Samantha Lynn Gilley had raised $50,000 for the hospital where she had been treated.

Blind bicyclist, students take part in White Cane Awareness Day – CHARLESTON, SC NEWS – LIVE 5 WCSC – hoping to raise awareness.

Blind Cyclist Clark Rachfal Eyes 2012 Paralympics « Cream Puff Cycles 

RSS Feed

Blind cyclist Penny Leclair shares her love for meeting people through cycling. | TUBULOCITY – also visit
Tandem Cycling at Lighthouse for the Blind Deaf-Blind Retreat 

TUBULOCITY RSS Feed

Blind cyclist seeking tandem captains/bikes in Arizona – Observed Trials Bike Forum

Blind cyclist to compete at Cape Epic – Hein Wagner will become the first blind man to race the Absa Cape Epic mountain bike stage race in March 2011.

[Video] blind mountain biking intro followed by
blind mountain biking – getting used to the bike – "this is my second video on mountain biking blind. this was my actual first little loop just to feel the bike out. the wheels were 29 inches, rather huge for most mountain bikes. this is my actual first time ever on a bicycle without it being a tandem in over 22 years."

Blind triathletes participate in Ironman with guides’ help

Brooklyn Sisters Ride Tandem, One Legally Blind – Caitlin Sarubbi has met many challenges in life, and is supportd by her sister, Jamie, in riding tandem.

Commonwealth Games – For Paralympians, a Bigger Field of Competition – NYTimes.com – Danielle Brown made history, becoming the first disabled athlete to compete for England in an event for able-bodied athletes in the history of the Games.

FAQ » WA Tandem Cycling Advisory Council – a pilot and stoker both answer readers’ questions about what it’s like to ride a tandem. WA is Western Australia, by the way.

Riding blind can make you see so much: Lessons from a tandem rider on Cycle Oregon | OregonLive.com

Sarah Storey…. the interview with the multiple World Champion continues! – Podium Cafe – the first disabled athlete to compete in the Commonwealth Games after switching sports 5 years ago. You may also want to read
Sarah Storey: From Paralympic swimmer to Commonwealth Games cyclist | Sport | guardian.co.uk

Tandem Rides Help the Blind Enjoy Bicycling in New York – NYTimes.com – an event called "Double up for Vision" involving blind tandem riders, will raise funds for lighthouse.

The bicycle built for two « Cycling with Eddie – the Lions Club of Strathfieldsaye donated a tandem to Vision Australia, and Dave has a sighted pilot to work with him. Now they need to work out how to be a good partnership.

The Challenge begins – Blind Dave Heeley’s Blog – Dave and his pilot have an interesting first run on the tandem in foul weather.

Tri Talk. The Complete UK Triathlon Resource 

RSS Feed

Triathlon.org – The Official Triathlon Resource – site of the International Triathlon Union. 

RSS Feed

Triathlon Journey – All Abilities Welcome – visually impaired girl weighs up the practicalities.

The Blind Buzz on Guide Dogs

Blind MSU student saves for three years to buy a guide HORSE because her strict Muslim parents consider dogs unclean – Web’s #1 Source for K12 and Higher Education News and Commentary – EducationNews.org

Dog Rocks – stop lawn burn patches and fertilizes your lawn – an Australian product made of rock that you add to your dog’s water to stop its pee ruining your lawn.

Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan’s top dog training tips

Emergency Care : Dog Guide : Animal Planet

Free At Last – Dog’s Eye View – it’s a month since Jack finished guide dog school, and now he is being allowed to start moving freely in the house.

Guide dog gets helping hand | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun – Tommy the potential guide dog experiences the classroom to train him about distractions.

Life with a Guide Dog in Training in college – guide dogs in Fresno, Calif. 

RSS Feed

Misconceptions About Guide Dogs – Carlos Palomino » Blog Archive

The Reality of Relieving a Dog – Guide Dog Anticipation

Traits and Characteristics of German Shepherds | samuraihomeboys.com – brief summary of this breed’s qualities.

Working Dogs – Squidoo Lens – an overview of many types of working dog.

The Blind Buzz on Photography

Blind With Camera » Events & News – 24th & 25th Nov 2010 – Photo exhibition at the Leicester Grammar School, Leicester UK. Unfortunately, the exhibition seems to be confined to students and their parents/families. The Liverpool exhibition already mentioned in this blog is part of the short UK tour of this exhibition, and there will also be an exhibition at the Indian High Commission in London.

China and Photography – BBC In Touch transcript – 19 January 2010 – some months out of date, but very much worth a read if you haven’t read it already.

Dark Light: The Art Of Blind Photographers videos including trailers, previews & clips on HBO.com. – HBO: Documentaries. 
Shooting Blind | Men’s Journal – gives some insight into the film

Download The vOICe Learning Edition 1.86 Free – Translates video into sound – targetting artificial sight for the blind – Softpedia – may be useful for those who want a sound representation of photos and other graphics.

Hope through a lens – Hindustan Times – two Mumbai blind photographers will be visiting the DADAFest exhibition in Liverpool.

Layering Light – The World of Blind Photographers – Photo Gallery – LIFE – blind photographer Pete Eckert uses light like a paintbrush.

The Blind Buzz on Gardening

Have I missed your link?

For these gardening entries in my blog, I’m mainly looking for material that is of use to blind and visually impaired gardeners, and examples of blind gardeners in action. Sadly, there does not seem to be a lot of writing going on about these subjects.

There is plenty of good material about gardening in general, and there is an increasing number of stories about sensory gardens being built FOR blind people, but these are not really the topics for this column.

If you write about being a blind gardener, or about blind gardeners more widely, and I’ve missed your material, please let me know where I can find it.

Meanwhile, please also refer to my
Blind Gardening web page

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A garden for everyone – News – East Anglian Daily Times – green project involves local blind gardeners, amongst others.

[Audio] Christine Walkden interviews Jeremy Scott, Blind Gardener Of The Year – BBC Gardeners’ Question Time

How to Design a Garden for Color Blind People | North Coast Gardening

Plants, Perception and the Practice of Gardening: Lowering the Sensory Threshold – what we can learn from plants throughout th eyear.

The Hidden Health Benefits of Gardening – Suite101 – not only physical health, but mental, emotional and spiritual benefits, too.

When he needed something good for his mind and body, he turned to gardening – dailypress.com – Tommy Tennyson had a brain tumour that left him blind in one eye and deaf in one ear. However, he has found happiness and therapy in gardening.