At dawn on a cool autumn morning in May, Andrew and his tandem partner rolled out from the starting line in Mudgee NSW alongside approximately 2,000 other cyclists taking part in the 2026 Mudgee Classic. Joining him were other members of the Canberra Fitability Tandem team. The event took riders on a variety of courses from 35km to 170km through the hills and vineyards surrounding the town.
With the help of a Hireup Impact Grant, Andrew and his support worker and regular tandem partner, Chris, teamed up with others to take on the challenge.
However, the journey to Mudgee wasn't without its hurdles. Just outside Cowra, the radiator hose of the support vehicle burst, leaving the team stranded and one tandem pair unable to make the main event – though they returned later in May to complete the ride.
As a vision impaired cyclist, Andrew initially held the misconception that sitting on the back of a tandem would rob him of the “essential freedom and joy I associated with cycling”.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
From his first tandem ride, he was captivated by this new way of cycling. The pilot up front takes care of traffic, steering and braking, while the stoker behind enjoys the freedom of being outdoors – the nature, the countryside and the birdsong.
“There’s no secret to communication on a tandem bike,” Andrew says. “We chat all the way. That is yet another hidden treasure of tandem cycling.”
Chris often paints a verbal picture of their surroundings or advises of challenges ahead, like a sharp bend or a steep rise.
Having teamed up with the Canberra tandem community, Andrew found that riding a tandem, whether in training or at an event like the Mudgee classic, is a great way to connect and get to know others.
As Andrew says, "It helps other cyclists see that people with disabilities are just part of the community."
