RNIB/Tandem Cycling

On May 8 over 30 tandem bikes set off from Lisburn and completed a tour of the towpath to the Waterfront hall in Belfast and back. Cyclists from Cookstown, Lurgan, Newry, Lisburn, Belfast and Dundalk took part alongside famous faces such as Dr Janet Gray MBE, the blind world champion water skier.

The event was awash with pink, just taking place prior to the Giro d'Italia. Lisburn in Focus, a BIG Lottery funded project led by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB NI) worked in partnership with Belfast Activity Centre (BAC) across three council areas to organise the tandem-only sportive to mark the launch of this international sporting spectacle for blind and partially sighted tandem cyclists.

Carn Wheelers members, Gerry Kelly and Ronan Higgins along with two of the local RNIB group, Hilda and Elaine took part in this tandem event.  The Mid Ulster tandem group has been in operation for a year now with 4 Carn Wheelers members currently acting as pilots, meeting on Monday evenings in Cookstown. This was the longest cycle to date, a return trip of about 25 miles. Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable day and even the weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of all involved.  If any local cyclists wish to volunteer and help with the tandem group, please contact Gerry or Ronan.

report by Ronan Higgins