Cycling Blind: An Inspirational Journey

It has been a while since I felt compelled to share the friendship story of these two men: Armando and Manolo, and how despite Manolo's severe blindness, they continued to rely on biking (tandem) to meet weekly in Armando's garden.

Last year, I crossed paths with Armando, a fellow tenant in our neighbouring eco-gardens. A space between our gardens serves as a meeting ground each time we match on the field. Armando, Manolo, my family, and I often gather at this spot, sharing a brunch around 10:30 after tending to the harvest. Whether it is a salad or a barbecue, almost everything comes straightaway from the gardens.

As they always came by bike, I was not aware of Manolo's blindness until some weeks after meeting them, something that surprised and touched me. I found impressive their choice to rely on a tandem bike to come to the garden.

As we sit together now, voice recorder in hand, I finally gather the courage to ask them to share their story.

Their friendship

Armando explains: "Back in 1997, I met Manolo and a friend of his during weekend brunches around Pe?aflor (small village towards the north of the main city). While I used to drive with my kids, Manolo and his friend were always on their bikes."

As Armando’s kids gradually stopped joining him, he made a pivotal choice: he abandoned his car and joined Manolo and his friend on their bike rides in the following years.

The garden and the beginning of the blindness

Then, seven or eight years ago - Armando recalls -, Manolo’s friend —the same one who cycled with them — passed away from a stroke.

Around the same time, Manolo began losing his vision. It was during this period that Armando began to take care of his new garden. “My son shared this garden with his 5 other friends. One day, my son approached me, saying, ‘Since you’re retired, why not take care of our garden?’”

Cycling together

Armando embraced this newfound activity and soon invited Manolo to join him for weekend brunches, in the garden, once again. They both continued riding together (on a tandem bike this time), sharing the power of the journey, while Armando took charge of the handlebars.

“One day,” Armando recounts, “as we returned from the garden, the transmission chain snapped. Unable to pedal, I relied on Manolo’s cues—when to start, when to stop. And those safe cycling paths in the city? A true advantage at crossroads.”

It is not just about the travel, it is about how this feels

Before requesting a picture, I posed a final question: “Have you ever considered driving instead of biking? Wouldn’t it be easier?” Manolo rapidly answers:

“I wouldn’t come by car. Riding keeps me fit, and it opens my mind.” Armando adds: “During the week, I rarely need my car—except for large items. Living 9 kilometres away, I relish the fresh morning rides along the river.”