Two's Company

Two’s Company is the name we’ve given to Life Cycle's programme of tandem cycle rides for people who are blind or visually impaired.

The idea for the project came from local visually impaired people who told us that they have very limited opportunities to take exercise, to keep fit, or to enjoy the local countryside.  Several people had cycled in their youth but had lost their vision in later life and had 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 five 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 a dozen machines in total.  Quite a fleet!

We run a ride every month from February to November and we cater for all abilities from complete beginners through to experienced riders.  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 hills!  You need to be fit and feeling strong to do one of these trips.

A typical ride has up to six 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. We have received some excellent feedback from the sight impaired riders:

  • Muzz told us… “Everyone was very willing to help without being intrusive or patronising.”
  • Nureen commented… “I had a brilliant time and felt so excited and free at the back of my tandem.  It was all well thought out and planned, and we were with a lovely and very helpful group of people. I will certainly be coming on future rides!”  
  • Pat said... "Never having been on a bike I was unsure as to whether I could do it, but you have given me the confidence.  Not only am I enjoying it, I feel much fitter already."

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.

Two’s Company has been made possible thanks to funding from a small number of charitable trusts and sponsorship from local businesses.  We are particularly grateful to the St Monica Trust and to Rolls-Royce plc for their support. And we were thrilled when, in November 2007, we won a Citizens On-line Award, sponsored by communications company TalkTalk.  Their grant will be spent making our website easier to use for people who are blind or visually impaired.


Our thanks too to the members of the public who have volunteered their time, given us or lent us tandems, or made financial donations. If you would like to support the project by making a donation click here.