Yogesh Ashok Powar

Personal Blogs

  • Feed Subscribe

    • Tandem Cycling

    My Experience with Tandem Cycling

    Tags: Cycling Tandem

    Today, a few of us cyclists from NCRunners had the unique opportunity to experience tandem cycling. Though the ride covered a modest distance of 25 km, the format made it truly special.

    A tandem cycle requires two riders: a captain and a stoker. What made our ride remarkable was that the stokers were all blind. Our group provided 8 tandem cycles, with 8 captains from NCRunners partnering with these incredible individuals.

    The pedals on tandem cycles are synced, making balance and coordination crucial. Maintaining stability required constant communication with our partners, especially regarding pedal positioning. Since the stokers couldn’t see, captains had to guide them through the ride, alerting them to obstacles, ascents, or descents, and providing instructions when applying brakes or shifting gears for extra power.

    My partner was 100% blind since birth, yet had graduated in IT and was pursuing a career in accessibility testing. They had participated in several tandem rides before and were instrumental in helping me understand how to captain effectively. Tandem cycles are long, making sharp turns or quick swerves difficult and best avoided. The seats are also set slightly lower to minimize the risk of tilting, especially important when the stoker is blind.

    During the ride, I noticed how often we reference visual objects in our daily conversations—colors, shapes, or sizes. This made me more conscious of my words and mindful of avoiding visual analogies.

    What struck me most was their extraordinary hearing abilities. My partner could pick up on the smallest sounds—the click of gears shifting, vehicles approaching, or even the cheers and conversations of people around us. Their heightened auditory sense was truly remarkable and inspiring.

    This experience was more than just a ride—it was a lesson in trust, teamwork, and adapting to new perspectives. Tandem cycling showed me the strength of connection and how much we can learn from each other when we share the journey.

    Thanks to NCRunners’ cyclists (Omkar, Sangram & Suhas) for inviting ABBF to organize this wonderful ride. Finally, heartfelt gratitude to my tandem partner for sharing a few unforgettable life lessons with me.

    Tags: Cycling Tandem
    Updated on: 2024-11-24