Completing a 30 mile ride is hard, but did you know that people who are blind can achieve that same goal by teaming up with their sighted colleagues? Tuesday Night Tandems consists of eight visually impaired stokers (stokers is the rear seat of the tandem) and a number of captains (the front seat of the tandem) who ride with them. Coming together weekly, members pair up for a 15-30 mile ride on the Northern Virginia bike trail system.

The group was organized last year by Bonnie O’Day and Robert Hartt of Alexandria VA, who are accomplished visually-impaired cross-country skiers who were looking for a second sport for conditioning the rest of the year. The group continues to grow, adding more visually impaired stokers as rapidly as they can recruit and train new sighted cyclists to assist.

The Tuesday Night Tandems will be joining us for the 9th Annual Tour de Talbot on September 21, 2013 on the beautiful Eastern shore of Maryland. Early registration at www.tourdetalbot.org is discounted.

20, 55 and 100 mile routes follow the flat, scenic back roads of Talbot County and multiple rest stops are located on the banks of the Wye and Choptank Rivers.

The ride supports the work of Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy to preserve and protect the Miles, Wye, and Choptank Rivers and Eastern Bay. Once registered, riders can raise funds and sponsors in support of their ride using the event website. Teams and individuals raising the most money receive prizes. Don’t miss it! Visit www.tourdetalbot.org for all the details.

In photo: Tuesday Night Tandems on a group ride