Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay pairs blind with volunteers for 24-hour event

  • By David Quick
    dquick@postandcourier.com
  • Sunday, April 22th, 2012
    Pilot Jack Hibbets, a former board member with Association for the Blind, serves as pilot for Nia Green, 33, of Charleston, as the two embark on a two-hour leg of the 24-hour Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay that started and ended at the beginning of Charleston Riverdogs games on Friday and Saturday. Green, who suffered from retinopathy of prematurity, said the event will bring awareness of the need for sighted partners for the blind. “It shows that we can have active lifestyles and can participate in community life ... And everybody likes riding bikes.” David Quick/Staff

    Pilot Jack Hibbets, a former board member with Association for the Blind, serves as pilot for Nia Green, 33, of Charleston, as the two embark on a two-hour leg of the 24-hour Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay that started and ended at the beginning of Charleston Riverdogs games on Friday and Saturday. Green, who suffered from retinopathy of prematurity, said the event will bring awareness of the need for sighted partners for the blind. “It shows that we can have active lifestyles and can participate in community life ... And everybody likes riding bikes.” David Quick/Staff Buy this photo

    Nearly 50 members of the College of Charleston's Delta Gamma sorority, which focuses its charity work on helping the blind, volunteered and wore specially designed T-shirts for this weekend's Double Up 4 Vision event for the Association for the Blind. (David Quick/Staff)

    Nearly 50 members of the College of Charleston's Delta Gamma sorority, which focuses its charity work on helping the blind, volunteered and wore specially designed T-shirts for this weekend's Double Up 4 Vision event for the Association for the Blind. (David Quick/Staff) Buy this photo

    College of Charleston Delta Gamma sorority member Kyleigh Hewitt, 19, of Kennebunkport, Maine, tries to keep balance as she and Jimmy Mouzone, 50, of North Charleston, try to pick up speed on a tandem bike during the Double Up 4 Vision event on Saturday at Hampton Park. (David Quick/Staff)

    College of Charleston Delta Gamma sorority member Kyleigh Hewitt, 19, of Kennebunkport, Maine, tries to keep balance as she and Jimmy Mouzone, 50, of North Charleston, try to pick up speed on a tandem bike during the Double Up 4 Vision event on Saturday at Hampton Park. (David Quick/Staff) Buy this photo

    Keith Johnson, 52, of Orangeburg, who lost his vision 13 months and has since run two marathons and lost 30 pounds, chats with Wando High School sophomore Shelby Craig during the Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay at Hampton Park on Saturday. (David Quick/Staff)

    Keith Johnson, 52, of Orangeburg, who lost his vision 13 months and has since run two marathons and lost 30 pounds, chats with Wando High School sophomore Shelby Craig during the Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay at Hampton Park on Saturday. (David Quick/Staff) Buy this photo

    Shortly after finishing their leg of the Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay on Saturday, Association for the Blind's Tripp Ritchie and 16-year-old Shelby Craig, a sophomore at Wando High School, are joined by Delta Gamma sorority members from the College of Charleston and Citadel cadets for a walk around Hampton Park. (David Quick/Staff)

    Shortly after finishing their leg of the Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay on Saturday, Association for the Blind's Tripp Ritchie and 16-year-old Shelby Craig, a sophomore at Wando High School, are joined by Delta Gamma sorority members from the College of Charleston and Citadel cadets for a walk around Hampton Park. (David Quick/Staff) Buy this photo

    Romona McCants of North Charleston, who is visually impaired takes her first bike ride in more than 40 years with Michael Bannister, a volunteer with Coastal Cyclists, during the Association for the Blind’s inaugural Double Up 4 Vision event at Hampton Park on Saturday. Besides a 24-hour tandem bike relay, in which Bannister also took part, association members could test out their legs and balance on shorter jaunts around the park.

    Romona McCants of North Charleston, who is visually impaired takes her first bike ride in more than 40 years with Michael Bannister, a volunteer with Coastal Cyclists, during the Association for the Blind’s inaugural Double Up 4 Vision event at Hampton Park on Saturday. Besides a 24-hour tandem bike relay, in which Bannister also took part, association members could test out their legs and balance on shorter jaunts around the park. Buy this photo

    Keith Johnson, 52, of Orangeburg, who lost his vision for 13 months and has since run two marathons and lost 30 pounds, chats with Wando High School sophomore Shelby Craig during the Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay at Hampton Park on Saturday.

    Keith Johnson, 52, of Orangeburg, who lost his vision for 13 months and has since run two marathons and lost 30 pounds, chats with Wando High School sophomore Shelby Craig during the Double Up 4 Vision tandem bike relay at Hampton Park on Saturday. Buy this photo