TRAILBLAZERS Tandem Cycling Club
The TRAILBLAZERS Tandem Cycling Club is a Canadian registered charity (Business Number: 867864753RR0001) established in 1987 to provide recreational tandem cycling opportunities for individuals with limited or no vision. The Toronto-based organization pairs visually impaired riders (known as "stokers") with sighted volunteer cyclists ("captains") on tandem bicycles, facilitating inclusive group rides, social events, and fundraising activities.

Mission and Activities

The club’s mission focuses on enabling participants to experience cycling through organized rides, including impromptu outings, scheduled group trips, and weekend excursions. Safety protocols include mandatory orientation sessions for new members and volunteers, alongside regular maintenance of bicycles by qualified mechanics. The club participates in charity fundraisers such as the Becel Ride for Heart and Ride for Rouge.

Operations

TRAILBLAZERS operates with a board and membership primarily composed of blind and visually impaired individuals. Activities emphasize social engagement alongside cycling, including banquets, barbecues, and annual events like its Open House and AGM. Membership fees, unchanged for over two decades, support operations alongside charitable donations.

History

Founded in the summer of 1987, the club has grown into a longstanding community institution, celebrating over 35 years of service by 2025. Its structure prioritizes peer-led participation, with members co-organizing rides and events to foster camaraderie and accessibility in recreational cycling.