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Two's Company

Tandem rides for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Two's Company is Life Cycle's programme of tandem cycle rides for people who are blind or visually impaired.

We have entered Two's Company in the Kerrygold Community Awards, and with your help we can win £2,000 towards the project. Here's how to vote:

1. Buy a pack of Kerrygold butter.
2. Go to www.kerrygoldcommunityawards.co.uk and click on 'Enter your code'.
3. Enter the unique number on the pack and vote for Two's Company.

Many thanks for your help!

The idea for the project came from local visually impaired people who told us that they have very limited opportunities to take exercise, keep fit, or enjoy the local countryside. Several people had cycled in their youth but lost their vision in later life and therefore had to give up cycling. They are keen to recapture the pleasures of riding on two wheels, experiencing the wind in their hair, the sounds and smells of the countryside, fresh air, and the thrill of moving quickly and quietly under their own power.

Life Cycle now owns eight tandems and has a team of volunteer front riders. Some of the volunteers, and indeed some of the sight impaired back riders, also own tandems, which gives us access to more than 20 machines in total. Quite a fleet!

We run a ride every three weeks from March to October and we cater for adults and for young people, all abilities from complete beginners through to experienced riders. A typical ride has up to eight tandems, each with a sighted person at the front and a visually impaired co-rider behind. The rides are enjoyable days out, and also opportunities for people to socialise and make new friends.

This is how we grade the rides:

• Level 1. Easy rides suitable for beginners. Up to about 15 miles, usually off-road, away from traffic on level terrain. The pace is leisurely and we take regular breaks. If you've not ridden a tandem before or if you're a bit out of condition we recommend you start with one of these rides.

• Level 2. Slightly more challenging, suitable for people with more experience. Up to 20 miles, on quiet country lanes, avoiding steep hills and heavy traffic whenever possible but the terrain is likely to be rolling rather than billard-table flat. The pace will be a bit more brisk.

• Level 3. Challenging routes, 30+ miles round trip, suitable for strong riders. We stick to country lanes wherever possible but there's more chance that you'll be mixing with traffic for some of the ride and we might encounter a few steep hills! You need to be fit and feeling strong to do one of these trips.

We have received some excellent feedback from the sight impaired riders:

• Jenny told us: "After losing my sight in a horrific car crash I never though I'd be able to ride a bike. It's so lovely to feel the wind in your face and the sunshine when its about. It's also a lovely sense of achievement when you hear the mileage you have covered. Come rain, come shine it is just a great feeling to be out in the fresh air and doing something enjoyable and healthy for oneself, even if we do stop at a pub for lunch!"

• Tony said: “For me the whole idea of the Two's Company programme is superb, giving me the opportunity to take part in an activity otherwise denied me. The enthusiasm and commitment from all those involved is great.”

Please contact us for more information or to book a place on one of the tandem rides. There is no charge. And if you have family, friends or work colleagues who are sight impaired do tell them about Two's Company.

See Two's Company on BBC Children in Need here

Two's Company has been made possible thanks to funding from a small number of charitable trusts and sponsorship from local businesses. We are also extremely grateful to all the people who have given us or lent us tandems, volunteered their time or made financial donations. Please help us if you can.