• Tell us about yourself.

I’m Dan, a London-based, with a bit of a difference. My journey has been anything but ordinary, from serving in The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and a tour in Afghanistan, to embracing the life-changing aftermath of a motorcycle accident. These days, I’m known for my passion for road cycling, and my role as the UK Brand Ambassador for Black Sheep Cycling. My life is a blend of overcoming challenges, pushing boundaries, and using my story to inspire others on social media with a mix of raw honesty, self-deprecating humour, and unfiltered realness. 

• What do you love about cycling?

To me, cycling is like therapy on wheels. Now, let’s get one thing straight—I know it’s not a substitute for actual therapy, and I don’t need a reminder of that. If my way of blending cycling with therapeutic elements doesn’t sit well with you, well, that’s your prerogative, not mine to fix. Life’s an individual journey, not a one-size-fits-all path. Cycling gives me mental release, positive focus, and a sense of community that goes beyond just physical exercise. When I’m riding, it’s about pushing personal limits, growth, and feeling a deep connection with fellow cyclists, all of which play a huge role in my approach to life and its challenges.

• What barriers have you faced in cycling?

My journey in cycling started with significant financial constraints, especially during my early days training for the Invictus Games in 2016. Affording equipment was tough; I remember snagging a £5 turbo trainer off Facebook Marketplace and couldn’t even afford a Zwift membership. But I’ve never been one to wallow. I leveraged free resources, trained hard, and eventually, my perseverance paid off, leading me to compete in Sydney at the 2018 Invictus Games.

• Why were you interested in contributing?

I believe in the power of sharing experiences, especially from perspectives that aren’t always in the spotlight. While I don’t see myself as marginalized, I understand the broader implications of disability. My aim is to offer alternative solutions, to inspire and demonstrate that there are multiple ways to tackle challenges. By sharing my story, I hope to be the guide for someone else, showing that adversity can be a starting point, not an end.

• Your fondest memory on the bike

Participating in the Invictus Games is an experience that stands out as my fondest cycling memory. What began as a mere idea transformed into a life-altering journey of dedication, discipline, and self-discovery. Fast forward to 2022, descending the Glass Elevator in the Race Across America and riding across Kansas have also etched themselves in my memory. Despite ending as a DNF, the experience was a remarkable adventure, a testament to resilience, and the thrill of the ride and solidified that you really do get out of life what you put in!