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CanVelo is a bike club that was created to give our visually impaired clients an opportunity to socialize as a group, while enjoying the outdoors and getting some exercise.  Sighted volunteers ride in front, and their visually impaired partners ride on the back of tandem bikes as the group travels to a different part of Israel almost every weekend.  The club was co-founded by Brig. Gen. Moti Regev (Ret.) who led the expedition to New York.  Moti was thrilled to have the opportunity to raise awareness about the work of the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind and also to invite as many people as possible to join the team for a ride the next time they visit Israel.

The day before the bike event, the team invited New Yorkers to put on a blindfold and experience what it is like to ride on the back of a tandem bike without being able to see.  Noach Braun, the Director of the Center pointed out that while riding on the back of the tandem, someone who is blindfolded must put complete trust in their partner - much the same way a person with blindness must put their faith and trust in the guide dog that leads them through their daily activities.

Aviva Stern and her Guide Dog Toby walked the streets of New York like they were natives, and also enjoyed a Broadway musical and a New York Mets baseball game.  In addition Aviva, Betty and Ami made time to do some shopping as well.

Special thanks to the Manocherian, Spivak, Luski, and Silbert families who provided our group with hospitality that went far above and beyond the call of duty.  We also want to acknowledge our friends at The Guiding Eye in Yorktown Heights for rolling out the red carpet and showing our team the marvelous guide dog training facilities there.

Special thanks also go out Micha Reznik, an Israeli living in New York who offered invaluable assistance in arranging for the purchase of two new tandem bikes, seeing that they were assembled and transported to various locations throughout the week.  And also to the Resnik family for hosting a reception in their home. 

The Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind and the CanVelo team want to thank all of the people who have provided support.  Without the help of people with "vision" none of our activities would be possible.

To see more pictures of our group in New York, click here: PHOTOS then go to the "Tandem Bike Club" album.

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