How Cycling Helps Veterans Transition To Civilian Life

An Afghanistan veteran has found a way to turn his passion for cycling into a thriving injury-inspired business.

Don MacLean was injured by an IED whilst serving the Royal Marines in Afghanistan in 2011.

Since coming back, cycling has become the key to his rehabilitation, inspiring him to take on the 3,081-mile Race Across America in 2012.

The experience motivated him to take his love for this sport one step further, and in 2016 he opened a 'bicycle cafe' in Liverpool.

Speaking to Forces News, MacLean said that sport gives former serving personnel "something to concentrate on":

"Any sport in general is an amazing recovery tool, particularly if you have been in the military, because it's a similar sort of mindset."

"Cycling is so inclusive, so no matter what your injuries, there's probably some kind of bike or cycling you can do."

Situated in an historic site in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle, the venture has just celebrated its first anniversary.

MacLean found the derelict Cains Brewery and decided to transform it.

The shop offers a wide range of bicycle repairs and services, as well as freshly prepared food and coffee.

However, MacLean now plans to expand even more, with guided rides for new cyclists and balance bikes for toddlers. 

The former Marine says his injury pushed him to do things he never thought of before:

"Ten years ago, if I told myself I would have been injured in Afghanistan and then that I would have opened my own bike shop, I would have slapped myself in the face.

"My injury really was a springboard into a career I always dreamt of."

This year another British Army veteran and triple amputee, Josh Boggi, set off on Race Across America.