[Sportsandrec] finding guides

Wed Nov 12 23:18:41 UTC 2008

Ashley,

You might try joining a list like tandem at hobbes which has tandem riders from 
around the world. I believe you're on the east coast and their are a number 
of folks out that way.

Going off the top of my head the list subscription is:
Send a messag to:
listserv at hobbes.ucsd.edu
In the body of the text type:
subscribe tandem

Let me know if that doesn't work.

Not sure what is going on with World Team Sports these days, but you might 
want to see if they have anyone in your area as well. I think it is 
www.worldteamsports.org

In the past I've had some trouble navigating the website, but if you can at 
least find a contact info that should do.

The Cdifferent folks are based in FL, but Matt claims to have 200 guides 
around the country.
www.cdifferent.org

If any other ideas come to mind, I'll be glad to share.

Lori

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] finding guides

> Lori,
>
> I'm glad you understand those negative feelings when conditioning alone in
> the gym.  I also go to spin classes.
> Everyone else has more options though.
>
> Checking with Disabled Sports USA is a good idea; they're nearby.  I 
> thought
> the CDifferent  Foundation was only in one state, California or something.
> I guess they are national.  I don't know much about them.  What is the
> contact information?
>
> For tandem cycling how do you set up the session?  Who brings the bike to
> the path?  I would guess your pilot does; it requires a big van though as
> tandems are long.
> Did you have to buy one or could you rent a bike?  I wish I could rent one
> for a few times to try it out but they don't rent around here.  Tamdems 
> are
> expensive although I can afford it if I decide I like riding and plan to 
> use
> it a lot.  Riding occassionally would not make the price worthwhile.
>
> Ashley
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lori" <twilight2 at kconline.com>
> To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List"
> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 11:51 PM
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] finding guides
>
>
>> Ashley,
>>
>> For me it comes and goes. For instance when I first got into cycling and
>> then the Paralympics I had a great group of tandem pilots in my area or 
>> my
>> mom drove me to where pilots were. Well, I've been in a drought for a
>> number of years now and it is very frustrating. I've always found it
>> helpful to get out and the more people see you the more they are 
>> inclinded
>> to get involved. So, even if a person says they only want to ride
>> occasionally, but if I can get them to go on a local group ride this may
>> be a great place for me to recruit more pilots. I still do a lot of
>> training on my own with my bike on a trainer or in spin classes and do I
>> like it? No, but sometimes that is how it goes. For running you might see
>> if there is an Achillies track club in your area as theyoften are
>> interested in being guide runners. You might also want to check with
>> USABA, the CDifferent foundation and Challenged Athletes to see if they
>> have a database of guide runners. Oh, there's Disabled Sports USA as 
>> well.
>> At times it can get really old to have to recruit recruit recruit, but if
>> you want to get out and do it, that's what needs to be done.
>>
>> Occasionally I' come across folks who understand and who are interested 
>> in
>> helping in this process--for instance for the triathlon I did last year I
>> couldn't have done it if it weren't for others--and I'm very grateful for
>> this.
>>
>> I don't mind the time it takes to work with new people as I realize that 
>> I
>> may not be the only one who wil benefit and I hope that anyone who guides
>> or rides with me will have the opportunity to do the same with other
>> athletes.
>>
>> Even in the pool it is ideal to have someone available to tap and I just
>> had to recruit volunteers as I couldn't afford anything. Since I often
>> didn't have this important information I quit swimming a number of 
>> strokes
>> and also developed some bad habbits.
>>
>> So, don't give up. Keep going to the gym and be visible. Talk with local
>> clubs. Don't be shy about your interests.
>>
>> L...
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>> To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List"
>> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 9:30 PM
>> Subject: [Sportsandrec] finding guides
>>
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I'm impressed with the recent bike stories and hearing about past
>>> accomplishments.  I am active, or try to be, for recreation purposes.
>>> You all seem to have it all covered wich is impressive.  A big barrier
>>> from my experience, and I'm sure many blind people, is finding people to
>>> assist you outdoors.  It takes coordination of schedules and a 
>>> commitment
>>> from the other person.  It would be nice to run or power walk outdoors 
>>> or
>>> bike weather permitting.  But I settle for the gym only because I don't
>>> have help.  I'm sure most blind people are in my position and you all 
>>> are
>>> the minority.  As anecdotal evidence, as I ask blind people what they
>>> like to do they mention sedentary activities like computers, tv or
>>> reading.  Blind children tell me reading or singing or a musical
>>> instrument.  Rare do I hear of an active activity.  I think there is one
>>> runner out of perhaps twenty people in my nfb chapter, one member.
>>>
>>> So my question.  How did you find guides to assist you in running, 
>>> biking
>>> swimming, etc?
>>> Are your guides paid?  If not what motivates them?  In the activity do
>>> you feel you can set the pace and own the workout or does your guide say
>>> something?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>> Ashley
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>
>>
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