River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
SIGHTLeSS CYCLISTS.
They wheel All over England and
Enioy the sport.

EnJcN the sport.
There is little nowadays which men
having the gift Of sight can do that
people born in darkness cannot accom-
plish. One would think thar cycling
would be beyond those who are unfor-
tunate enough not TO be able to see.
But it is not. DR.. Campbell principal OF
the Royal Normal College and Academy
of Music for the Blind. in London. has
overcome all the obstacles and difficult
tics, and his pupils to-day enjoy the
spcrt of wheeling just as much as their
more fortunate brothers and sisters.
Il introduced cycling to my pupils
about the year 1850, and they entered
into it with wonderful zest and eager
ness The machines are in great de-
mand, and the periodical trips we take
awheel from the pleasantest of IT, ex-
eIcises they enjoy, and the sight of
their happy faces would surprise those
people who think blind people cannot
be as happy as other children.
1--WE very often take large parties
over the bills of Surrey, Banstead, Dork-
ing. EPSON, Leith Hill, Red Hill AID
Godstone in our ordinary excursions,
but now and again, when concerts OF
gymnastic displays are TO be given, we
&c long distances, as Brighton, Derby,
birmingham, etc. When blind pupils
lLn run from 50 TO 100 miles per day and
erioy it they will not easily lie dis
cruragcd 10y any ordinary difficulties.
We have machines to seat twelve, ten,
eight, six, etc, and one of our men de-
votes several hours daily 70 the pur-
pose of special training, in order TO pre-
pare our pupils, both girls and boys. for
cycling expeditions.
I'm 1857 we made a trip TO Derby,
distance of 100 miles. We started from.
Hclborn viaduct on October 5 at 1880
& m, with two machines. one carrying
four and the other eight persons, a see
ing person acting as steersman on each
machine The first halt was made at
Barnet, and the first night was spent at
PUNISHABLE, and thence we proceeded
through Leicester to Derby. Great in
terest was taken in the little procession
throughout the line of route, and be-
fore reaching Derby we were net by
Il large number of cyclists, who escorted
us into the town.
Il have found cycling one of the most
suitable exercises for our purpose, and
we encourage and foster the interest
taken in it by all our pupils. Then again
il suits both boys and girls, and they
both enjoy all the benefits derived from
this truly excellent pastime. 1t takes
them away into the quiet country,
where they breathe the pure and fresh
air into their lungs. which invigorates
and strengthens their frames, and the
steady pedaling also strengthens their
limbs, giving play to the different mus
Giles without putting any undue strain
on them"
pr Campbell then took the writer
round the grounds, where a large mum
her of boys and girls and young men
and Young women were cycling gayly
round the track, their hearty and spon
tancous laughter ringing out on the
clear air. First machine with 10 boys
pedaling away came round the bend.
followed by one with - girls aboard,
and then several other machines came
past, one after the other, all their hap
py faces testifying to the delight aud
pleasure which they derived from cy-
cliEg.-Cycle.