Hello, my name is Jenny. I was born with retinoblastoma and have been blind since six months of age. The thrill of being on a bicycle has brought me so much joy and fulfillment beyond what words can express. I am so grateful for this club, its volunteers, and the amazing captains who generously give of their time and energy to bring the simple thrill of riding a bicycle to the blind and visually impaired, and it’s generous individuals like you that make this possible for people like me!

- Jenny Whitton –

 

I lost the eyesight in my left eye in 2016, when the retina in my left eye detached from being extremely near sighted. The retina was successfully reattached, but too much time had passed. As a result, I can perceive light, but not too much else.

Cycling has been my exercise passion for the past 43 years!  Being blind in my left eye makes it very dangerous as I cannot see well enough to confidently change lanes to make left turns. I was really depressed after I lost my sight until I found out about The San Diego Blind Stokers Club.

- Diana Ross -

 

In 2012 I retired my single bicycle. After a concussion resulting from a fall off my bicycle it was time to find another way to bicycle. With my bad central vision things come up on me too quickly when riding. After an internet search I discovered the Blind Stokers Club here in San Diego. Now with my partner and pilot Kevin Knapp I can still ride all over the place and not worry about seeing the road ahead. I can pedal on the back of the tandem and enjoy bike riding again.

- Gary Deeter -

I want to thank all the generous individuals who have donated their time and money to support the Blind Stokers Club. I am truly blessed to be able to have the opportunity to enjoy the great sport of cycling and ride along side so many incredible people. Thank you again to the BSC for giving me the gift of overcoming my disabilities and pushing myself to the limit. I always feel so supported and encouraged when riding with this club and look forward to many more events in the future. Until next time, I am confident that the best is yet to come!   

- Drew –

 

“The BSC has been a fantastic experience for me since 2014.  I have ridden with fourteen BVI stokers and have enjoyed listening to their wide variety of stories while we enjoy the exhilarating sport of cycling.  I feel so good being a person who helps a cyclist do what he or she would be unable to do on his or her own.  (The students I substitute teach think I am a cool guy for riding with the BVI population.)

Cycling for Sight is an awesome retreat that allows all of us BSC members to share our various talents and experiences.  The weekend never gets old, and so much of the money raised goes directly to help the BVI population adapt to life with limited or no vision.”

- Paul Dickstein -

 

“Invitation from co-founder Andy Weitzel (along with Jonathan Hebert) to the inaugural Cycling for Sight (CFS) tour in 2005 inspired me to pair up 15 tandem teams with sight-impaired stokers to meet the tour and ride the final few miles of the 225 mile journey.  That demonstration of sighted+blind cycling partnerships on tandem bikes led directly to the founding and naming of the Blind Stokers Club (BSC), with simple mission to share the sport of cycling with those unable to see well enough to pilot a bike.  The BSC has grown from that seed of CFS - and become a dynamic community of members and followers who use the energy of teamwork and power of partnerships to enable healthy sporting lifestyles while creating lasting friendships.”

- Dave White, BSC founder and director -

 

“The Blind Stokers Club allows me to give back to the community by doing what I love, riding a bicycle. Their annual CFS fundraiser, benefiting the San Diego Center for the Blind, is one of the best organized cycling events that combines fundraising, teamwork, friendship along with the joy and freedom of bicycling/tandeming.”

- Patrick Nelissen -