Are you blind or visually impaired? Do you live in or near Bury near Manchester in Northwest England? Would you like to try your hand at tandem riding? If your answer to all these questions is 'Yes', then Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired may be just what you're looking for!
Bury Tandem Club is a self-help group of local tandeming enthusiasts. We currently have about 35 fully sighted and visually impaired members of all ages. The general standard of fitness is high. We are usually out every Sunday between approximately 9.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Tandem rides range from 40 to 60 miles over varied terrain.
The role of a rear rider - otherwise known as a 'Stoker' - is different to that of a front rider. The front rider is responsible for direction, steering, instructing the rear rider as to, for example when to signal and usually gear changes. In contrast, the rear rider is simply responsible for providing the pedal power to maintain the tandem's over-all speed. If the front rider is the driver, then the rear rider is the engine.
You don't need any previous experience of cycling to join us as a stoker, but the following qualities will certainly be useful:
All our front riders are trained in handling a tandem and in matters related to visual impairment before they are allowed to cycle with a visually impaired rear rider, so if you're not all that confident initially, your more experienced front rider will be able to help you get used to tandeming.
If you would like to become a stoker for Bury Tandem Club, please let us know. Please tell us why you feel you would make a suitable stoker and include your contact details plus any other information you consider relevant.
We look forward to hearing from you.