Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-10-07
SIGHTLESS CYCLISTS,
They Wheel All Over England ans
Enjoy the Sport.


Enjoy the Sport.
There is little nowadays which men
having the gift of sight can do that
people born in darkness cannot accom-
pHsh One would think that cycling
would be beyond those who are unfor-
tunate enough not to be able to see.
But it is not. DIR. Campbell, principal of
the Royal Normal College and Academy
Of Music for the Blind, in London. has
overcome all the obstacles and difficult
ties, and his pupils to-day enjoy the
SPORT of wheeling just as much their
more fortunate brothers and sisters.
81 introduced cycling to my pupils
about the year 1880, 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 the eN-
ercises 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 hills of Surrey, Banstead, Dork
ing, EPSON, Leith Hill, Red Hill and
G odstone in our ordinary excursions,
but now and again, when concerts or
&C long distances, as Brighton, Derby,
Birmingham, etc. When blind pupils
can run from so to 100 miles per day and
enjoy it they will not easily be dis
ccuraged by any ordinary difficulties.
We have machines to seat twelve, ten,
eight, six, etc, and one of our men de-
votes several hours daily to the pur-
pose of special training, in order to pre-
;Is I'LL nd fOr
cycling expeditions.
I'm 1887 we made a trip to Derby,
distance of 100 miles. We started from
Holborn viaduct on October at 1850
g. M, with two machines, one carrying
four and the other eight persons, 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 met by
| q large number of cyclists, who escorted
US into the town.
81 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
| it 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
cles without putting any undue strain
on them"
DIR. Campbell then took the writer
round the grounds, where large num-
Der of boys and girls and young men
| and young women were cycling gayly
round the track, their hearty and spon-
taneous laughter ringing out on the
clear air First machine with II boys
pedaling away came round the bend,
followed by one with IL girls aboard.
and then several other machines came
past, one after the other, all their hap
Ply faces testifying to the delight and
pleasure which they derived from cy-
| cling.-CYcle.