The group, made up of people who cannot see and others with various kinds of difficulties usually go out for a short bycycle ride, and once a year take part in something rather longer.

“Can a blind person ride a bike?” Fr Charles Velardo the Salesian in charge of the centre was asked. “Yes, with a tandem bike, together with a sighted guide!”

Yesterday, for the second year in a row, we joined the Tour de Thailande, an annual feature organised to gather funds for a Foundation which helps poor people affected by leukemia. From a meeting more than a year ago, between the organiser and  Fr Velardo, the idea arose of the Salesizn centre taking part - which also offered the opportunity to raise some funds.

“I assure you this is  both a challenge and fun.” Fr Velardo said. “A challenge because blind riders have to overcome their fear by riding side-by-side with cars and trucks on ordinary roads with no other protection than their sense of hearing and their stamina.  Fun, because of the reaction of motorists and people at large who, there and then, cannot understand immediately what is going on.”

This year the route took them to Kanchanaburi, the city of the famous Bridge over the River Kwai.

Published 04/12/2007