[blindkid] Bicycling & Other Fun Activities

[Richard Holloway]

Ashley & Eric, 

If you want more information about cycling options, I may can offer you some suggestions. I’ve been dealing with unusual cycles, especially tandem (and larger) setups for quite a while now.

I’m especially fond of recumbent “tadpole” trikes. These have two wheels up front, and are more maneuverable than “delta” designs where the single when is the one you steer. The center of gravity is much lower, and they are extremely stable, not to mention quite fun! I have a single recumbent (Greenspeed), a pair of tandems (One Greenspeed and a Teesdale Greenspeed Kit/Clone), and several trailer setups we ride with from time to time. I also have some other tandem options, and I’ve been through several more over the years.

Rather than write a giant post, I will offer some links to cycles images and couple of articles I have written in the past which might spark some ideas or some questions. 

(Apologies to vision impaired rearers, as the photo links are from my Facebook page, and probably not alt-tagged very well.)

Feel free to contact me on or off the list.


Here are a few single-shot links:

Tandem trike, tandem, trailer (quad setup)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203385360818425&l=98f499b833

Tandem trike with two single trailers attached (quad setup)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203385391419190&l=1fd4d94d84

Tandem trike with two single trailers attached (quad setup, second angle)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203385391299187&l=d7a3ebd813

Tandem trike a single trailers attached (triple setup)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203380714982282&l=179142d2eb


And if you’re curious for more, several albums full of mostly unusual, often tandem or larger, bike and trike setups we have used, and some biking adventure photos.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1131270725654.2019523.1343839184&type=1&l=a2cf9f5ab1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1381210413990.2052481.1343839184&type=1&l=aaae3ad54a

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200954851017199.1073741825.1343839184&type=1&l=946a2aef84


And here are a couple of articles I wrote a while back. They’re not super-current, but bike ideas don’t change that quickly either!

http://www.gopbc.org/gopbc_all_about_bikes.htm

http://www.gopbc.org/gopbc_love_bike.htm


I hope something above is helpful,

Enjoy.



On Jul 18, 2014, at 1:39 AM, DrV via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hi Lalena & all.
> 
> Along the lines of tricycles…
> 
> Google “adult tricycle” & you will find quite an array of cool-looking
> options. For sighted folks an image search of the same quickly shows an
> expansive variety of such adult tricycles - some are even “medium sized” &
> look like they would be fine for an older kid.
> 
> I got crazy & for fun added in the work “tandem” – as in “tandem adult
> tricycle” & was amazed to find a wide variety of those as well – some 2
> person side-by-side, others the traditional tandem except it's a tricycle –
> pretty cool – Actually looks fun & practical – Now I’m now seriously
> thinking about getting one.
> 
> Also, at a number of beaches I have seen a number of style of 4 person
> buggy bikes for rent – that looks like a fun family activity (you can
> google that too).
> 
> There are also all sorts of variations on Big Wheels.
> 
> Throughout the years, we’ve had fun in 2-4 person kayaks on river, lakes &
> even the ocean (good idea to wear a life-vest if you plan on hitting the
> waves)
> 
> Out in California the United States Adaptive Recreation Center (
> http://usarc.org) runs both winter & summer programs for kids with
> disabilities. The instructors are great. We’ve participated in the winter
> program – adaptive skiing & snowboarding. This last winter I walked in to
> the Adaptive Ski Hut with my son for a lesson & someone loudly exclaimed
> “Oh my gosh, it’s Dr. V” – caught me & everyone else off guard - it turned
> out it was a patient of mine who arranged for ski lessons for her autistic
> son – small world. Her son, as did both my boys, had a great time. They
> even have sit down skis/sled combos for kids who can’t stand on their own
> to go all the down the slopes, where the instructor(s) guide the skier
> down, but the kids get the speed & skiing experience. At the end of each
> lesson the instructors leave detailed notes so the next time the kid take
> lessons, the instructors already sort of know the kid's strengths &
> weakness. That way they work over time towards any given child’s maximal
> level of ultimate independence in the task.
> 
> I’ve had quite a bit of interaction with a variety of adaptive ski
> instructors over the years. The ones in our program go through some pretty
> intensive training & are required to complete regular refresher classes on
> top of that. In fact I’ve been so inspired by the experience over the
> years, that I’m looking forward to becoming an adaptive ski instructor
> volunteer when I retire :-)
> 
> There are lots of cool & exciting options out there.
> 
> All the best,
> 
> Eric
> 
> 
> On Tue, Jul 15, 2014 at 9:47 PM, Lalena Fayre via blindkid <
> blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
>> Hi Ashley
>> Unfortunately my life as a single parent doesn't give me a great deal of
>> time but of course I will contribute as I can.
>> 
>> In my eyes a heated discussion is sometimes needed and necessary. To step
>> in and cool the room as if we are bunch of children is disrespectful IMHO.
>> If we are ever going to understand an opposing viewpoint then we need to be
>> allowed to voice words bluntly.
>> 
>> I really like your idea of activities like yoga and swimming. He has shown
>> interest in bicycling ad well but I'm not sure quite how to do that
>> independently. He's too big for a typical tricycle and wants that
>> independence. So hmmm......there. that's a specific question. LOL
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