A Redefined Cycling Journey

After a life changing injury, veteran Andy Perrin found his path taking a different direction, little did he know he’d soon be an Invictus Games champion, and would go on to Race across America.

Andy Perrin was in the Royal Signals for 12 years, travelling around the UK as an engineer, and then various tours including the Falklands and Iraq, finishing in the rank of Sergeant.

“Not long after that, I smashed my knee. A silly injury, really, that I knew would take some rehabilitation. I was then diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, forcing me to be medically discharged. I felt a little lost, of course. It can be very tough leaving the military, and finding a new purpose. Thankfully, I’m blessed with a family, and teach in the local area, I was fortunate to get my position through a scheme created by the forces, Troop to Teachers, that got us into placements, post-deployment.”

Andy didn’t actually start any competitive cycling until he was injured. After being informed that getting on his bike would be great for his type of knee injury rehabilitation, post-ACL surgery, he began to build up muscle strength.

“My cycling journey wasn’t a straight and narrow. I tried out a few cycling clubs a while back, and I now do roads, track, cycle cross- a bit of everything, really. I’m a terrible leisure cyclist, as this competitive part of me has to go as fast as possible, which makes a very speedy commute. I was told by doctors, after my injury, that I might never walk properly again, but cycling became my path to building up strength again.”

In 2012, Andy began to work with Help for Heroes, and went on to become an ambassador for the charity. One day, they approached him about a sporting event that Prince Harry was planning.

“In 2014, they informed me that the Invictus Games were going to take place in London, for those that had been wounded in service. It was all quite vague, initially, but I began training, and helped to teach others.”

“Suddenly, the games grew in traction. The BBC became engaged, and a music ceremony took place the the Olympic Park. It was very odd for me, I felt my capabilities were somewhat limited, but Prince Harry really pushed for national popularity. It didn’t feel real, cycling around the velodrome in the Olympic Park, wearing the Team GB uniform, knowing it was being televised.”

Andy won the 2014 London Invictus Games open category in the road race and time trial, pulling off at the finish and becoming momentarily stunned at the media interest in his triumph, as the 20,000-strong crowd, watched him receive his medal.

In 2016, Andy returned to compete in the Invictus Games. This time, it was in Orlando, and training with his friend from Troops to Teachers, he won the road race.

“It was surreal taking part in such a sporting event at the Disney Park. It really felt like game time, that I was there to compete to the strongest of my abilities. I was back in the US in 2017, taking part in Race Across America, raising money for Help for Heroes, who had formulated a disability group for the event. Given it is one of the toughest endurance events in the world, it was no easy feat, but we were all friends from Invictus, so that helped massively. We left Long Beach, California, and took on more than five days of tough, relay cycling.”

From there, Andy raced in Warrior Games, which was designed for the American military, to celebrate wounded veteran’s resilience.

“When I was there, a strange rumour milled around that I was a professional cyclist. Within moments, I was being asked for an autograph.”

“While out there, I became a bit of an unofficial coach to others training, and I met an American, Zed. We got talking, and our ideas culminated on social rides on Zwift.”

Zwift is a virtual training programme, that allows cyclists to connect with other competitors. During Andy and Zed’s interactions, they noted a marked improvement in their progress, through their peer-to-peer support.

The pair approached Invictus Games Foundation representatives and asked for permission to set up weekend community cycles on the platform, which was set up for veterans.

“Particularly in the cooler seasons, we can get around 200 riders, of all abilities. The rides promote wellbeing, both physically and mentally, it encourages those that might be down, or suffering from PTSD to come and join in a ride, and connect with the group. Not to mention, we also have fun.”