[Sportsandrec] Ride Reports

Fri Nov 18 00:55:56 UTC 2016

Ron,

If you ever want an editor or proofreader for your writing, that's my specialty. I have my BFA and MFA in creative writing, my emphasis in creative nonfiction. I've been editing and writing for several years now. Just putting it out there because I think the writing you shared has a lot of potential.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ron Burzese via SportsandRec
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 5:49 PM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ron Burzese <rrburzese at gmail.com>
Subject: [Sportsandrec] Ride Reports

Hello Nella,

Thank you. I try to take as many of you along for the ride, to give you an idea of what it is like. Cycling, in general is so misunderstood in this country. Did you know that in the rest of the world, soccer and cycling are the two most popular spectator sports? In the U.S., it may be baseball and football.

I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, home of the world champion Steelers and Pirates, in the late 70s. I could not track the ball, on TV, so I did not get into ball sports much. I watched Chips, Dukes of Hazard, and BJ & the Bear. Along with Smokey & the Bandit, I became a wheel-centric kid.

When I was 13, in Clearwater, FL, I was mentored by a Jewish kid, who was maybe a year older. We’d go out and ride 60 miles, regularly. Post ride, I’d be lying on the couch, with blankets on my legs, after eating three hotdogs with cheese, cooked in the microwave. I had enough vision to barely pull it off, on a single bike. That, was 1981.

I began riding tandem, after hearing a blind, truck-driver speak, at the 1997 J.O.B. Seminar. I thought, he is not driving the truck, but he is living the life and enjoying his niche in life. After much internal struggle, I began riding tandem, not knowing where I’d keep it, or who would even ride with me. Thankfully, my formal world opened back up to me.

As a blind person, there are so many odd and interesting situations I encounter, from doing this sport as an alternative technique. I’ve ridden from LA to Boston and won six state, two national, and one world medal, after the age of 35. I had always wanted to compete, but never had the confidence as a blind person, until I attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind, where I was able to try a real, tandem bicycle, as opposed to a cruiser klunker.

I have always written ride reports, because of such uncanny experiences I encounter, but about five years ago, I had another reason to share the rides. A friend of mine wanted to race in the Paralympics, but was not even riding at the time. I thought if I post some reports, he’d get an idea of what it is like and get hungry to train. I’ve shared my down and up moments, along with various stages of fitness, as I discovered them, while sparring with others on local club rides and races. I’ve posted race reports on this list that I’d like to relive as well. That was eleven years and twenty pounds ago. :)

The hamster wheel is my stationary bike. Mine is a real bike, on a stationary stand, that I can ride indoors, in front of a fan and sound system.

So that’s a bit of my unique world, but I like it, whether I’m doing it, or writing about it, or socializing around it. It’s been almost 36 years, 20, on the back of a tandem.

“Hey now. You’re an All-Star. Get your game on. Go Play!” Smashmouth

Let the good times roll,

Ron Burzese, NOMC
Sacramento

> On Nov 17, 2016, at 12:27 PM, Nella Foster via SportsandRec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Ron I like the description of your ride.  I kind of felt like I was riding along with you, even for the scary parts.
> 
> Nella

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