CVI Tandem Event with Aaron’s/L5Flyers Cycling Team
On June 14, 2007, Aaron’s/L5Flyers Cycling Team continued its partnership with the Atlanta Center for the Visually Impaired by providing tandem cycling activities for children at the S.T.A.R.S. Camp in Piedmont Park (Atlanta). S.T.A.R.S. (Social, Therapeutic and Recreational Services) is a recreational and social skills program offered through the Atlanta Center for the Visually Impaired for children ages 6 to 21 who are blind or visually impaired.
Twenty (20) happy campers met up with Aaron’s/L5Flyers team members in the park for an exciting morning of tandem cycling. Team members got in a great workout from their camper co-pilots as everyone wanted to ride long and fast. The recurring request from all the campers: “I wish I could go tandem cycling every day!”
Many of the campers returned from previous tandem events, but for some this was their first time riding a bicycle. Meet Alexandria…at first she announced that she would not be riding the tandems. After hearing all the other campers exciting experience after their rides, she decided to check out the bikes. The Aaron’s team then spent the next twenty minutes convincing her that riding the bike would not only be safe, but would be a ton of fun. Alexandria reluctantly agreed on a short-slow ride. After about fifteen yards on the bike, she was heard telling her pilot, “Faster!” Alexandria fell in love with riding and did not want to get off the bike until it was time to leave.
“This is always a great event for us because it combines our love of cycling and a community service opportunity that is really rewarding,” said Julie Granger, Aaron’s/L5Flyers VP of Community Service. “The huge smiles on the campers’ faces will always keep us coming back.”
Many thanks to the ACVI and the Aaron’s/L5Flyers volunteers: Russell Baggett, Dave Bell, Jeff Gaines, Julie Granger, Steve Hatfield, Dave Hicks, Graham Swift, Chad Strickland, and Ty Tagami.
Aaron’s/L5Flyers Cycling Team plans to continue to work with the Center for the Visually Impaired to provide activities that benefit the blind and visually impaired in the future. If you are interested in volunteering for a future Aaron’s/L5Flyers event, please contact Julie Granger, VP of Community Service (jegranger@hotmail.com).
Many of the campers returned from previous tandem events, but for some this was their first time riding a bicycle. Meet Alexandria…at first she announced that she would not be riding the tandems. After hearing all the other campers exciting experience after their rides, she decided to check out the bikes. The Aaron’s team then spent the next twenty minutes convincing her that riding the bike would not only be safe, but would be a ton of fun. Alexandria reluctantly agreed on a short-slow ride. After about fifteen yards on the bike, she was heard telling her pilot, “Faster!” Alexandria fell in love with riding and did not want to get off the bike until it was time to leave.
