The Blind Buzz must go!

It’s time to end this blog. Judging by the levels of visitors, nobody’s going to miss it, and it’s just, honestly, too much hard work.

The number of visitors here has been 10 or less a day, usually less. It doesn’t make sense to carry on like that.

Perhaps more importantly, I am more exercised these days by carers’ issues than anything else, and the thought of writing a more narrative blog looking at those is too powerful to resist. I have to put a lot of thought into that before I start, but start I’m sure I will. It won’t relate to what’s gone before in any way, so won’t have the same IDs as anything else, and I won’t use my own name because of the sensitivities of some of the likely subject matter.

I am also abandoning my web site,
Vince’s Parallax, for much the same reasons. It’s been getting less than 4 hits a day in recent times, and so it has not earned its keep.

So thank you very much if you have been visiting my sites, and hope I’m not letting anyone down. I will leave the content up for the time being, but won’t maintain it in any way.

Good luck, and may the road always come up to meet you.

The Blind Buzz on Cycling

Some recent news stories – plenty more to come soon.

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Around the Bay in a Day® 2011 – Andrew Devenish-Meares – support Andrew, who I believe is a visually impaired tandemist, in his bid to raise funds for educationally disadvantaged Australian kids on Sunday, October 16th, 2011.
Bupa Around the Bay Event Details

Austin Bike Culture Calendar Events: 9/8- 9/14/11 | Austin On Two Wheels – among the events is the "Lend Your Legs" scheme for the Texas School for the Blind.

Austria Celebrates One Year To Go until the Paralympic Games

Cycling an exercise in trust for blind Sonoma County riders | PressDemocrat.com – the need to place trust in your pilot as a blind cyclist. Revolution fund-raising ride coming up on Sept 24th may attract a small number of blind cyclists. Also visit
No limits for Blind Power bicycle team – Bicycling Sonoma – The Press Democrat – Santa Rosa, CA – Archive

Require Motivation? – Ride a Tandem Bicycle | motivation | require motivation | tandem bicycle | grand union canal – Articles 20VN – the pleasures, more or less, of a couple going for a weekend tandem ride.

Blind Bike Trials Video 1 | BMX Online Web Community – Matt Gilman is blind because of diabetes. Here he directs you to his web site and YouTube videos.

Ken ready to raise funds in tandem with Pedal event – Scotsman.com – Ken Reid , who is registered blind himself, will undertake a ride this Sunday to raise funds for blind and partially sighted people as part of the Pedal for Scotland event.

[Video] Kiwi Paralympic Cyclists Preparing for London

Hy-Vee Triathlon: It takes two, but he’s No. 1 | The Des Moines Register – Aaron Scheidies, who is sight-impaired, uses guide to win championships.

Riding in tandem – Israeli blind and sighted bike riders teach each other a few things | Israel21C

WINNIEL & THE LAUGHING HOUSE : Inspirations from Helen Keller – evidently tandem cycling is one of the many things she did.

Paralympian Cyclist Simon Richardson

Paralympian Simon Richardson ‘out of intensive care’ – after a hit-and-run incident while cycling, Simon is progressing well in hospital. The whole cycling community is sure to be wishing him and his supporters well.

Quick test transmission – please ignore

My slideshows on YouTube

The Blind Buzz on Cycling

Cycling an exercise in trust for blind Sonoma County riders | PressDemocrat.com – the need to place trust in your pilot as a blind cyclist. Revolution fund-raising ride coming up on Sept 24th may attract a small number of blind cyclists. Also visit
No limits for Blind Power bicycle team – Bicycling Sonoma – The Press Democrat – Santa Rosa, CA – Archive

Require Motivation? – Ride a Tandem Bicycle | motivation | require motivation | tandem bicycle | grand union canal – Articles 20VN – the pleasures, more or less, of a couple going for a weekend tandem ride.

Blind Bike Trials Video 1 | BMX Online Web Community – Matt Gilman is blind because of diabetes. Here he directs you to his web site and YouTube videos.

[Video] Kiwi Paralympic Cyclists Preparing for London

Hy-Vee Triathlon: It takes two, but he’s No. 1 | The Des Moines Register – Aaron Scheidies, who is sight-impaired, uses guide to win championships.

Riding in tandem – Israeli blind and sighted bike riders teach each other a few things | Israel21C

WINNIEL & THE LAUGHING HOUSE : Inspirations from Helen Keller – evidently tandem cycling is one of the many things she did.

The Blind Buzz on Cycling

You’ll be relieved to know that this entry has a sensible, small number of links in it!

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London 2012 Paralympics will leave us with more lasting memories than Olympics – Telegraph Blogs

London 2012 Paralympics: one year to go guide – Telegraph

Used Tandem Market Offers Up Some Nice Hardware.. « The TandemGeek’s Blog – tandems for sale in USA. Details here about how to follow up these offers.

Working in Tandem: Elmhurst Cyclist’s Ride Might Surprise Some People – Elmhurst, IL Patch -
Ed Hill is blind, and completed the Chicago to Milwaukee Road Tour, with assistance from his brother, Bruce. 
More on this event

Danger zone | Go To The News – some disabled people want to push the limits – and some can’t be bothered. You may also like to read
Why do so many disabled people embark on dangerous feats? | Benefits of fish oil

[Video] Trailblazers, Toronto enable blind people to get into tandem riding. A little of what’s involved in taking part.

The Blind Buzz on Paracycling

This notice of events comes from Paul West of British cycling.

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Hi All

Firstly many congratulations to Rob Yeatman, Simon Richardson and Jon-Allan Butterworth who were first second and third irrespectively in the recent Paracycling National Championships.

Also I am sure that you will all join me in wishing Simon Richardson well following his recent horrific accident.

Below are details of the forthcoming events on the Paracycling calendar with info on how to enter etc.

28^th
August Lichfield Town Centre Circuit Races

Event Cancelled

17^th
Sept Rudy Project Time Trial Round 6, Beverley, East Yorkshire

Open to all riders who are members of cycling clubs and teams affiliated to Cycling Time Trials.

Race Distance – 24 Miles. Time of Start – 14.00

Entries to- M.Williams, 10 Manor Garth, Skidby, Cottingham Hull HU16 5UF

Cheques Payable to – Team Swift (£9.00)

Entries Close 30^th August 2011

Round 13 BC National Paracycling Road/TT Series

Clearly mark entry form that you are entering the Disability Competition and your Paracycling Classification if you know it.

28^th-30^th
Sept BC National Track Championships, Manchester Velodrome, Manchester

Open to C and B classification British Nationals with a Silver/Gold British Cycling Membership and a 2011 UCI Recognised Competition Licence

Events – 28^th Sept – 500m/Kilo TT, 29^th Sept 200m TT, 30^th Sept 3km/4km Pursuit

Entry is Online via

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/74643/BC-National-Open,-Women%27s-and-Paracycling-Track-Championships

Entries Close 22^nd August 2011

1^st
October Rudy Project Time Trial Round 7, Nottingham

Open to all riders who are members of cycling clubs and teams affiliated to Cycling Time Trials.

Race Distance – 14.9 Miles. Time of Start – 13.00

Entries to- G. Jenkins, Corners, Bleasby Road, Thurgaton NG14 7FW

Cheques Payable to – Sherwood CC (£9.00)

Entries Close 13^th September 2011

Round 14 BC National Paracycling Road/TT Series

Clearly mark entry form that you are entering the Disability Competition and your Paracycling Classification if you know it.

2^nd
October GP Wales

CANCELLED

15^th
October Rudy Project Time Trial Round 8, Poole, Dorset

Open to all riders who are members of cycling clubs and teams affiliated to Cycling Time Trials.

Race Distance – 14 Miles. Time of Start – 14.00

Entries to- R.Spencer, 13 Alverton Avenue, Poole BH15 2QF

Cheques Payable to – Poole Wheelers (£9.00)

Entries Close 27^th September 2011

Round 15 BC National Paracycling Road/TT Series

Clearly mark entry form that you are entering the Disability Competition and your Paracycling Classification if you know it.

For details on future events its worth keeping an eye on the calendars on www.britishcycling.org.uk
and www.ctt.org.uk

I hope that you find the above helpful, but any queries do come back to me.

All the best

Paul West

Events Development Officer – Cycle Speedway, Paracycling, Track

British Cycling, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ

Telephone: +44 (0)161 274 2021 | Mobile: +44 (0)7507 641267 | britishcycling.org.uk

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

The British Cycling Federation is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with registered number 3943494. Our registered office is at Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ. The contents of this email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete it from your computer. Use, copying or disclosure of the information contained in this email or in any attachment is prohibited.

The Blind Buzz on Cycling N to Z

Entries for links beginning A to M appeared in the previous post.

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N

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P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

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Z

N

Nathan Hale Foundation not peddling tandem, yet – Plymouth, MA – Wicked Local Plymouth – veterans’ outreach centers plan to acquire tandems.

[Video] New patented system allows people with disabilities to ride bicycles – Huelva (Spain), 11 Aug (EFE), (Camera: Julian Perez).- Inventor Faustino Blanco, who himself is visually impaired, has presented a patented system to connect two bicycles in tandem, which allows people with disabilities to ride them. The system could also benefit the elderly and people undergoing rehabilitation. Also visit
www.efe.com (site in several languages including English)

No Vision, No Problem for Ironman Competitor – That’s Fit – Jack Chen, now 36, has been blind since age 16. He wanted to take part in Ironman to show that visually impaired people can do whatever they want to do.

Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind are looking for volunteer tandem-pilots – 20/8/11 – 10.30am or 1pm, Forest Rec, Nottm.

NYC Triathlon Report | Blind Athlete – first hand account of taking part.

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P

| Palaestra: Cycling camps held for paralympic hopefuls and riders with disabilities | Find Articles at BNET – USABA hosted its first development camp for athletes with disabilities.

Paralympic Cycling – Track – cycling seems likely to be one of the most popular sports at London 2012.

Pedaling around North County – Santa Ynez Valley Journal – Tailwinds Bicycle Club, Santa Maria, Northern Santa Barbara County, donates bicycles for children in need, and has provided a tandem for blind riders as part of its community activities.

Profile of blind cyclist in Gran Fondo to premiere at MorristownGreen.com Film Fest – a short film chronicles Jim Kutsch’s preparations for the Big Ride.

Q

R

Racing Blind – Shoreline-Lake Forest Park, WA Patch – Patricia Walsh talks about what it’s like to be a blind triathlete.

RAGBRAI is for everyone | Blind Living – so who in their right mind would want to go through this? Read on.

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Scheidies fearless despite blindness – The Denver Post, – people say funny things when they see Aaron Scheidies taking part as a blind triathlete.

Shona changes gear to raise charity cash – Edinburgh Evening News – Shona Black is planning to raise funds by a gruelling program of kayaking, climbing and cycling, despite blindness.

Stuart Block Supports Right to Sight | Right To Sight – Stuart Block is riding a tandem from Cape Town to London to raise funds and awareness for Right to Sight.

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Tandem piloting for blind stoker – - Cycling Forums UK – discussion thread on new pilot piloting for new blind stoker.

Team Trainright Blog: An Enlightening Triathlon Experience, by Randy Mast | Carmichael Training Systems – the author meets up with a blind partner for the Denver Triathlon.

Trailblazers Tandem Cycling Club – Serving VI Cyclists in Toronto, Canada « The TandemGeek’s Blog- blind members meet up with sighted volunteers to ride tandems. 

The Tandem Geek’s Blog RSS Feed

U

Urban Active to Hold Cycling Class to Benefit the Visually Impaired -Columbus Local News – Urban Active Fitness has recently sponsored an indoor cycling event for blind people.

V

Volunteer cyclists needed for new tandem group – Community – Ulster Star – Lisburn in Focus needs you if you could be a tandem pilot.

W

X

Y

Z

The Blind Buzz on Cycling A To M

Entries for letters N to Z will appear in the next couple of days.

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A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

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[Video] 2B2R Intro – Tauru and Christi, both legally blind, plan to ride their tandem bike unsupported from the bottom of South America to the top of North America in 2012-13. Their goal is to raise awareness about the abilities of the visually impaired, and they will be visiting schools for the blind along their route to share their story and to learn of new stories from others. .

60 PLUSS MPH – My Greenspeed GTT recumbent tandem trike – the author, Graham, has lost 80% of his sight already, and prepares for the time he can no longer ride solo.
RSS Feed

A

Annapolitan Clark Rachfal Awarded Paralympic World Cup | Eye On Annapolis

B

Blind bike trials 2 – More highly skilled bike stunts from Matt Gilman; blind bike rider.

Blind Biker Brings It BACK Home To San Diego – Jeremy Poincenot was a student when Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) made him blind. He takes part in an annual tandem ride (the CURE Ride) to raise awareness of the condition. 

More on the CURE Ride.

Blind Riders Take On RAGBRAI -It’s called the oldest and largest bike touring event in the world, and takes place in Iowa. 2 blind people took part this year. Also visit
Tour de Iowa? Bicyclists Hit Hawkeye State for RAGBRAI, Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa – ABC Newsand
Munson: Disabled riders push ahead, with a bit of volunteer aid | The Ds Moines Register – the inaugural Adaptive Sports Iowa RAGBRAI team..

Blind teenager’s on track for Olympic challenge – This is Scunthorpe – Jack Garner and his guide will take part in a paratriathlon event in London.

C

CHECT UK (ChectUK) on Twitter – Childhood eye Cancer charity wants to hear from any keen cyclists willing to pilot a blind cyclist from Brighton to Weymouth. Sorry if this is too late.

College Supports Blind Dave In Top2Toe Challenge – South Birmingham College is supporting local blind man Dave Heeley in his Top2Toe Challenge, which sees him run and cycle from one end of the country to the other in ten days to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Also visit
Good luck Blind Dave! – Sandwell Council

Cycling For Sight 2011 – Roesink Photograhy — Chris Roesink –
RSS Feed – these photos have earned Chris a thank-you from the Blind Stokers’ Club.

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Door County Triathlon: Overcoming extra challenges | Door County Wisconsin | doorcountyadvocate.com – helpers enable people with disabilities to take part.

Don’t miss Sci-Bono’s Dialogue in the Dark | nothing to do in joburg besides… – one of the guides for this exhibition, which is conducted completely in the dark, is a keen tandem cyclist.

E

East TN cyclists share tandem bikes with the blind | wbir.com – VIBES runs a monthly tandem bike ride in Sequoyah Hills.

Enough is Never Enough | J-Wire – Did round the world cyclist Jinji Sadan get a sleep-in on his first Sunday morning after a 65,000 km trip? No, he had a 6:30 start for something else…. Also visit
He’s cycled the world | The Jewish Chronicle

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Family Service of Morris County recognizes outstanding volunteers | NJ.com – Friends of the Blind Program helps blind people do everything from getting the groceries to riding a tandem.

Find Your CORE: Incredible Use for Bungee Cords – those cords hold blind triathletes and sighted guides together.

First Legally Blind Cyclist To Take On Pan-Mass Challenge « CBS Boston – Chris Smith wants to raise money for the cancer charity benefiting from the event, and to make a statement about blind people not retiring to the couch

Fitness – My Life as a Low Vision/Blind Soldier – the author goes into the barriers to fitness imposed by facilities and by himself.

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great things about being blind!: Bicycling

Greg Birch: Helping out is a tandem affair – Pomerado News – he has taken part in Cycling for Sight with blind 80-year-old stoker Jim Miller.

Guide Dogs appeal for challenge help – Community – Forfar Dispatch – Guide Dogs Scotland have formed the Full Circle 2011 Team to take on the Guide Dogs Coniston Challenge on Saturday, September 10. At least one participant duige dog owner is taking part on a tandem.

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Hey Wilson Meet Joules and His Electric Tandem Bike – a wife who doesn’t much appreciate riding a tandem bike with her husband welcomes Joules, a robot that can take the place of a human on a tandem.

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Legally blind mountain bike racer risks his life to compete | Matador Network – Bobby McMullen can barely see but he trains and competes on some of the most challenging downhill mountain bike courses in America.

London to Brighton Cycle – tandem ride from London to Brighton, 11th September 2011. Blind people from tandem clubs across London are hoping to take part, but they need more front riders / captains / pilots. Could you volunteer?

Long Branch Duathlon Race Report | Blind Athlete – New Jersey event involving running and cycling included a blind athlete on a tandem.

M

Meet the best in the West – Evening Times – Visibility Volunteers in Glasgow enable blind people to take part in activities, tandem cycling included. The group has been shortlisted for a Community Champions Award.

[Video] Matt King, blind cyclist – Paralympic tandem cyclist racing and motivational speaking introduction.

Mellis on wheels – Community – lep.co.uk – Jack Mellis from Preston, Lancs, is 92 and describes himself as ‘short-sighted’. He is one of the UK’s oldest cyclists.

Mike Nightingale’s driving force is people | Stuff.co.nz – Mike, 72, of New Plymouth, has piloted tandems for blind people, and has been involved in much more besides.

The Blind Buzz on Esref Armagan, blind Turkish painter

Eseref Armagan was born in Turkey without eyes. Without any formal tuition, he taught himself to paint, discovered perspective for himself and puzzled many scientists who are interested in studying his brain processes. However, Mr Armagan says he wants to be known for his art, not the way he does it.

For more on Esref Armagan, please visit

Vince’s Parallax: Esref Armagan, Blind Turkish Painter

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Amazing Paintings by a Blind Man – Visboo

[Video] Blind artist paints all new Volvo S60 – Esref was invitied to the Volvo Car Co., where his work depicting the new model was filmed.

Esref Armagan – Lost At E Minor: For creative people

see with your fingers | k.t. blue designs – a master class with Esref Armagan.

[Audio] The Blind Brain: Part 1 of 2 – "A completely blind artist paints perfect replicas of the world he’s never seen. An Indian child born with cataracts miraculously gains full visual capacity at age 12. People born blind experience their ‘seeing’ mind in different ways, and are helping scientists challenge the dogma of a brain rigidly hard-wired for vision. And, Zoltan Torey, blinded 56 years ago in an industrial accident, shares his own wildly vivid experience of an ‘inner eye’. (An interview with Dr. Amir Amedi)" From ABC (Australia). 

Part 2.