A blind cycle group is celebrating more success on its first anniversary.
Tandem Trekkers has grown in popularity since it was set up in 2014 to help people with sight problems take to two wheels.
And now due to more funding grants it is running weekly sessions, which allow participators to not only use tandem bicycles on the track at Leeds Road Sports Complex but try out new routes around the county.
The group is also starting up new training sessions with British Cycling and linking up with Ravensthorpe Cycling Club.
Martin Eatherley, one of the members of Kirklees Visual Impairment Network who is behind the project, said: “Everything just keeps getting better and better.
“We initially put on sessions at Newsome High School then fortnightly sessions at Leeds Road Sports Complex, where people were supported by sighted steers-people.
“Now a dozen people with visual impairments are coming along, including one from Sheffield.
“Thanks to grants and links we’ve made we now have access to vans which over the summer will be transporting people to different greenways and tracks in the region.
“These are running on the weeks alternate to the track sessions and we have already rode from Riccall to York.
“We would love to hear from new visually impaired people who would like to come along.”
Martin also praised the increase in volunteer steers-people.
He said: “They have enabled us to increase the number of places for our riders.
“We have just linked up with Ravensthorpe Cycling Club, who have lots of experienced cyclists, but would love to get even more steers-people on board so we can continue to expand.
“One Community Foundation has given us a few grants including money towards a new second hand tandem cycle and to help us create an online member system which helps us to keep people informed regarding new events.
“In addition to this, we have also started running training sessions with British Cycling and the next one will be run on August 29 at the Leeds Road site.”
The Saturday track sessions run fortnightly from noon to 2pm, with the next on Saturday, August 8.
To find out more, email Martin at martin.eatherley@ntlworld.com or call KVIN on 01484817584.
