The Blind Stokers Club (BSC)  //  visit website.

A program to introduce and share the simple pleasures of recreational cycling with those who can not see well enough to pilot a bike.

The BSC operating model unites a vision-impaired stoker (rear position) with an experienced captain (front position) on a tandem bicycle built for two. Captains serve as mentor and coach for his/her stoker partner. Each participant pledges to participate in BSC rides and activities for the calendar year.

Cycling for Sight (CFS) is the centerpiece event in the BSC ride and activity calendar, and illuminates all elements in the BSC motto: Vision through imagination, teamwork and adventure.

BSC teams of tandem partners began training in February 2010, with the goal of completing the 200+ mile CFS coastal adventure tour on July 30th August 1st. We encourage you to help support these teams through your donations.

The BSC applies principles of setting and attaining a goal, fundraising, mentoring, teamwork, along with the joy and freedom of bicycling and the adventure of travel with a group.

Founded in 2007, in each of its first 2 years, BSC members pedaled over 10,000 member miles per year. Over 40 members of 21 tandem teams have completed the 3-day 200+ mile CFS tour. All CFS registrants are invited to join the BSC in a training ride program intended to prepare cyclists for success and enjoyment during the CFS tour.

The 6th annual CFS bicycle tour, benefiting the San Diego Center for the Blind (SDCB) and the BSC, is Friday July 30 to Sunday August 1, 2010. The CFS coastal adventure tour starts and finishes at the La Jolla campus of Pfizer Inc , and sets up base camp at UC Irvine for the weekend offerings of cycling and other activities.

New this year is the availability of a limited number of sponsorships to enable distant members of the BSC to join the CFS coastal adventure tour. Click here for information and to download the MS Word form.

For the complete schedule for the 2010 BSC rides, please click here to download the MS Word file.

Sally and Cricket Bidleman

Sally (Captain) and Cricket (Stoker) form a dynamic mother-daughter team! Cricket is the youngest member of the BSC. Riding on their Bike Friday loaned by Braille Institute, their enthusiasm and giggles are inspiring. Cricket rides because There isnt anything that I cant do! The CAN-DO spirit of this team is infectious. NOTE: Cricket has taken a brief leave of absence to become the youngest blind person in North America to be trained in having a guide dog.

Hank Peterson and Beth Brisebois

Hank and Beth are riding together for the first time this year. Beth is a retired elementary school teacher looking for new adventures. Although limited in vision, there are no limits to her love of exercise and cycling. Hank is a longtime member of the BSC. Along with his wife, Carolyn, the Petersons form the backbone of our highly successful training program and adventure tour.

Sue Buckley and Dave Penegar

Dave and Sue are recipients of the 2010 CFS-BSC California Dreamin' Travel assist grant. They are working together in Knoxville, TN with a local Bicycle Club and a Visually Impaired young person's group (founded by Sue) to coordinate something like the BSC. Team TNT says: "We could use the connections and partnership with BSC to recruit local Pilots for our stokers and help with all the other needs to get the rides rolling." San Diego BSC members can't wait to learn how to speak southern.

Mike Jennings and Julissa Cota

Julissa is new to the BSC and is riding for the first time on a tandem loaned by Dave Knop. Julissa loves outdoor activities and is new to tandem cycling. You can tell by her smile that she will have a lot to contribute to this years tour. Mike is a veteran racing and touring cyclist, and brings many miles of ride leadership to the CFS peloton.

Kermit Cain and Harrison Tu

Kermit is a dedicated member of the BSC who was unable to enjoy the CFS tour in 2009. He is back on a tandem with Harrison, also a steadfast member of the BSC and CFS. Harrison was able to join the last leg of the tour last year, but he wants more, MUCH MORE, and will make a wonderful match with Kermit on this years coastal adventure tour. This is one of the most intellectual and conversational tandem teams around; also one of the fastest!

Ian Prowell and Peter Dawson

Ian is a graduate student at UCSD in mechanical engineering and longtime tandem cyclist. He is an experienced Captain who has piloted visually-impaired stokers. Peter is a Rehab counselor for the State of Califoria, has had his own tandem for 32 years, but hasnt had the chance to use it recently due to blindness and is looking forward to getting back into cycling. It is a pleasure to have them on tour this year.

Chuck Corum and David Kuttnauer

Chuck has many cross-country and cross-continent miles in his cycling legs. He has many single bikes, but is grateful to ride the Eric Lloyd Santana Sovereign loaned to the club. Chuck was recruited by his longtime family friend David, who was recruited by BSC stoker Robyn Dunn. David lost is sight recently to glaucoma surgery complications, and uses fitness goals to keep a positive outlook. David and Chuck are excited to be partnered on tandem in the Blind Stokers Club, and looking for memorable miles ahead.

John Braganza and Robyn Dunn

John and Robyn are veteran BSC and CFSers. John had been involved in CFS since its inception and is a leader in the BSC. Robyn is returning for a second tour. Robyn enjoys the freedom that comes from cycling, very fast for a very long distance! They love to ride fast. If you dont see them before they take off in the morning, you might not find them until dinner!

Don Counts and Art Jones

On any given day, you can see Art riding a tandem bicycle with his brother-in-law, Ivan (not pictured), in San Diego. Art (on the left) has been blind since his 21st birthday as a result of diabetes. He is active, lifting weights, swimming and cycling. This year he will be captained by CFS and BSC veteran, Don Counts. Art is truly an inspiration to fellow members of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of San Diego. Last year Art and Ivan received the First Annual BSC Award, reflecting their enthusiasm, cycling skills, and leadership in the BSC. Don and Art will be riding fast, very fast, as they know no other way.
Read more about Art and Ivan on the MTCCSD webpage http://www.mtccsd.com.

Dave White and Erika Garcia

Dave White is the Leader of the BSC and Erika is a founding member of the BSC, having been the first youth to conquer the 220 mile CFS tour. Their leadership has been an example leading to the ever-expanding BSC. Erika, is going on her fourth CFS tour and is an inspiration to her friends, family and community. Look what you started Erika?!?

Larry Cahn and Jeff Garrett

Jeff is back for a second tour with CFS after having excelled on his first tour. He loves the feeling of the wind in his face and the accomplishment of cycling over a long distance. Jeff will be the stoker with a new captain. He is looking forward to another gratifying experience as a BSC member.

Shawn Olin and Ian Gayola

Shawn is an active duty Navy 1st Class Petty Officer. He is a semi-pro bike racer holding the track record for speed on Fiesta Island. Ian is a freshman in high school and a veteran of BSC and CFS. Ian is returning to participate in his third CFS tour. Ian attends Clairemont High School in San Diego, CA and is a student at Braille Institute. The goal of this team is to take their cycling to new levels in 2010.

Tom Cody and Ejilrae Edge Gayola

Tom is a member of the Crown City Cyclists, a bike mechanic, and major contributor to the BSC. Tom has recruited 5 captains, many tandem resources and functions, along with his wife, Dawn, are cornerstones of our cycling event. Edge, a middle schooler, was recruited by his big brother, Ian. Edge wants to make new friends and be part of the coastal adventure tour. Both are sure to happen

Linda Valadez

Linda Valadez enjoys riding along the Coronado-Imperial Beach bike path and is a member of the Crown City Cyclists. Linda loves the challenge of sharing a tandem with Priscilla (shown here). Linda is recovering from a broken collar bone and we look forward to riding with her as soon as possible.

Danny Gamboa and Drew Hunthausen

Danny is an avid cyclist who met up with the BSC a year ago at the San Diego Custom Bike show. He is extremely thoughtful and rode in the AIDS ride on a tandem from San Francisco to Los Angeles to support an individual with an acute health issue. Drew is a student at Long Beach State majoring in Sociology. He lost his sight nearly 12 years ago and is excited to be back on the road. They are riding a tandem, affectionately call the Lamborghini, loaned by Bob Groff.

Steve Gordon and Roseanne Young

Steve and Roseanne participated as the first visually-impaired tandem team in the first Annual CFS Tour in 2005. Shown here relaxing in the front row (third and fourth from the left) after completing the 220 mile tour, the stars havent aligned to get them back until this year. By far the fastest tandem team in 2005, the real question this year is: Will they leave everyone in the dust again?

Greg Birch and Jim Miller

Greg is a founder of the Cyclo-Vets, a local cycling club that benefits San Diego. He has taken up tandem cycling and is touring with Jim (on the left), a veteran cyclist in the BSC and CFS. Last year he missed the CFS tour participating in an outdoor backpacking trek. They are riding Jim's TREK T2000 donated by the Veterans Administration. Jim is also a veteran of the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge tour.

Stephen Stewart and Andrew Oliver

Steve came to the BSC through the Challenged Athletes Foundation. He heard about CFS through the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge tour in 2009. An active cyclist, he rides tandem with wife, Sue, also an active cyclist who is BSC Transport Coordinator this year. Andrew is back for a second tour of CFS. Andrew embodies a spirit of vitality, exploration and adventure well-aligned with CFS.

Mark Prophet and Jeremy Poincenot

Jeremy is very active, recently won the 'Spirit of Joshua' Award at theCarlsbad Half-Marathon. He is a ranked golfer with great initiative. In 2009, he couldnt join the CFS Tour, but did it on his own using route slips to raise funds for Leber Disease. Watch for Jeremy on MTV "True Life" Series this fall. Way to go Jeremy! Jeremy's captain is fraternity brother Mark Prophet, majoring in exercise physiology.

Fred Dudek and John Miller

Fred is a Scripps Ranch resident and attorney who commutes on bike to work. He is an experienced cyclist but new to tandem cycling. John works at General Atomics and is involved in developing new technologies. Paired as a new team, they are riding the famous Silver Bullet tandem generously loaned by theTarkingtons to support the BSC.

Dawn Cody and Priscilla Jimenez

Dawn rode CFS-09 and has been mentoring as a tandem captain from husband and BSC pilot Tom. The Cody's continue making major contributions, including captain and tandem recruiting and bike mechanic support from the hand of Tom.

Dawn will be riding with Priscilla Jimenez on the 2010 Tour. Priscilla loves to sing while she cycles. You wont regret hearing her lovely voice if you have an opportunity to ride next to her. Last year she rode the CFS tour for the 1st time and is back for more.

Abe Naiditch and John Morrison

John is a founding member of the Blind Stokers Club, having supported related activities for many years. John & principal stoker Stacy live in Orange County and get around a lot on tandem. Abe is one of the newest and youngest at heart in the BSC, sporting a birth certificate from 1919. After being a lifelong cyclist, when Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma made it unsafe for Abe to ride his bike, John and the BSC have extended his enjoyment in cycling. Look out for this team, of considerable experience, in the CFS CycloRallye.

Darryl Pion & Eva Flores

Eva came to the BSC this year from the SD Center for the Blind (Vista Center), and brings energy and enthusiasm to the club and activities. Darryl had a chance encounter of the CFS 2009 tour peloton during a local ride, and looked us up just in time to bring Eva onboard for some CFS-10 training rides. This pair is more than capable of going the distance, powered by both spirit and style.

Matt Garcia & Fred Chambers

Fred and Matt each found us on the internet, and entered a profile in the BSC tandem partner finder database; now they are partners in and riding CFS. Fred has been riding tandems for 20 years, since losing his sight in a car accident. He is pursuing a Project Management certificate at UCSD. Matt has a background in the Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) tandem ride program, and connected with the BSC at the Trek Bike Expo. Matt and Fred had a first ride together on the BSC Independence Ride, where they met cycling legend John Howard.