Lorin Nicholson – Blind Rider
Lorin Nicholson was declared legally blind at the age of four, however he was determined not to let his disability exclude him from living a full and meaningful life.
Born 41 years ago in Wollongong, NSW, to parents John and Julie Nicholson, Lorin is the eldest of six children. The family moved to Tamworth, NSW, where Lorin began and completed his schooling in the mainstream system.
He gained a college diploma with high distinctions and in his youth was an accomplished cyclist, swimmer and springboard diver.
In 2007 he rode a tandem pushbike 275km traversing the Great Dividing Range from Tamworth to Port Macquarie in under 36 hours, raising $7000 for Vision Australia. His next challenge is to ride across Australia.
An accomplished guitarist and public speaker, Lorin has presented more than 2000 inspiring seminars, conferences, workshops, concerts, and keynote addresses across Australia, New Zealand and America in the past six years.
In January 2005 he was named one of Australia’s finest musicians at the CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia and is a regular performer on the prestigious Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight.
Lorin was honoured to be nominated as a 2009 Australian of the Year finalist, and later that year won a Queensland service award for his valuable contribution to the community.
A top selling independent artist and gifted guitarist, Lorin has released three albums of instrumental music and is now about to become a published author, having just written his first children’s book.
Lorin and his wife Lisa live in Brisbane where they are raising four beautiful children.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Dear Lorin,
Good luck with your big ride across Australia!
Thank you for coming to our school, you were so inspirational!
We will be following your journey closely!
Have fun,
From 3W, Waitara Public School
March 8th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
hey lorin this is jade from waitara public school that you just whent to today 8.3.10 try riding again but just a little shorter plese come back to our school anothe day you were grate
PS. i’ve herd you befor!!!:):):):):):):):):):):)
March 8th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
hi im from the school you went to and ario and nathalia how can you play guitar when your blind
March 9th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
I learnt to play when I was younger. Hope you enjoyed my performance. Maybe if you practise a lot, you will be able to play guitar too. It does take heaps of practise to be good at anything, you know. Cheers for now. Lorin.
March 9th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Hi Jade. I’m pleased you enjoyed the show. I’ll be back when I can. Thanks for stopping by the website. Cheers for now. Lorin.
March 9th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Hi Kayla. Thanks for your good wishes for the big ride. It’s getting very close and we’re all excited about it. Make sure you keep visiting the website and we’ll keep you posted on our travels. Cheers for now. Lorin.
March 24th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Hi Lorin
My name is Breeanna I go to Woongoolga State School you came to my school on the 24 of March 2010 I hope you go well in your big ride and I wish you all the best.
From Breeanna
PS:I loved the show!
March 29th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Hey you flaming drongo, lots of stuff on this site to poke around and read!
You know that if you ride west you will have the sun on your back and not in your eyes all morning, but I guess you won’t get to Sydney, but hey Perth is a nice colony anyway
Love you mate, thinking of you often
Perhaps you could let us know your average speed, max speed etc for those of us who get off on stats.
Paul
March 29th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Lorin the Legend! Well, we just love you. You are very gifted in multiple ways and touch the lives of so many with your gifts. Just don’t try cycling and guitar playing in unison. And don’t forget the roll-on.
March 31st, 2010 at 5:42 pm
hey uncle lorin,
have a good ride!
dont worry dad will beat you across the finish line in sydney =)
xo
April 5th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
lorin, u are an inspiration to all. I have known Lisa and her family a long time and they too inspire me. Keep on going the future is bright and u make it even brighter
April 6th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Sounds like you are having a blast. Has dad made his legendary famous pancakes yet? Dad you are getting quite the reputation being named “Cafe de Nicholson”. Do you have some french recipes up your sleeve now? Travel safe see ya all in Sydney!!!
April 11th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Hey Lorin’
loved your performance at Windsor SS a couple of weeks ago.!!!!!!!
April 16th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Missing you heaps. Love you xoxoxoxoxo
Love reading the blog and seeing photos. Would love to see some video if it’s possible to get it up.
Love Lisa xo
April 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Are we there yet?
April 26th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Lorin, We’ve been reading your reports etc. Sorry we won’t be at the Opera House as you get home, but hope to catch up soon.
Good on you Guys.
April 26th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
You betcha, Martin. Watch the news tonight – ABC, Seven and Ten were there… Cheers, Anna
May 18th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
wow lorin you where wonderful i am from kolbe catholic college you where fantastic you have had a wonderful life you are a fantastic man well done on all your fantasrtic things you have done
May 25th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
hi Lorin you came to my school on the 25 of May 2010.i loved your performance it was great it was fantastic it was incredible.i seriously loved it.i hope you come back again,and again it was incredible!
May 28th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
hi Lorin,
today you came to my school [campbell primary school] sorry about you being picked on when you were younger. l loved your performice. hope you get everything you want. love Nat
June 2nd, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Hi lorin,
Hi i go to Labrador State School and you came to our school on 2/6/2010. Just saying thank you for coming and you are a great guitarist!!
Thanks. From Raewyn
June 8th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Hi LOrin
I heard you play live at the 2009 Melbourne christmas carols and I was so inspired.
Your playing was brilliant
You went to the primary school my Mum teaches at (Mt Kuringai Public School) and gave an inspirational speech for them.
I am currently doing an assigment in PDHPE on and inspirational person who has overcome or is overcoming challenges. I thought you would be a perfect choice, I hope you don’t mind.
Nicole
June 25th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
hi lorin
hi i go to harbord public school and you came on wednesday the 23 of june and i got to try on your glasses and i think your a great guitarist
thanks.from owen
July 17th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
hi Lorin,
i got to listen to your motivational talk on Friday the 16 of July 2010 on my year 12 retreat at mt Tambourine (Grace Lutheran College). i just wanted to say thank you. many students including me were very inspired by your stories and achievements. we encourage you all the way and i will be following your stories for the future. thank you again
from Rebekka
August 13th, 2010 at 8:19 am
hi lorin,
you came to my school Morton bay College you are a realy good guitar player. I realy feal sorry for you because you can’t even see your kids. I would give you any thing for you to see again. I love your websites i have some of youre music on my ipod great music
from Alexia