A Parson’s Green army reservist who was twice blown up by mines in Afghanistan and then suffered a serious motorcycle accident after returning to
the UK, is continuing his rehab with a charity bicycle ride to Paris. Having lost the use of one leg while serving with the Territorial Army in Afghanistan Adam Cocks, 26, will power a three-wheeled hand-bicycle using his arms. The 528km Band of Brothers Bike Ride from Portsmouth to Paris, which starts on Sunday, should take Mr Cocks and fellow injured reservist Leigh Roberts, five days to complete, cycling 10 to 12 hours a day on their hand bikes. The event is in aid of Help for Heroes &ndash the charity dedicated to injured servicemen &ndash a cause Mr Cocks has supported before. In March was awarded runner-up Volunteer Reservist of the Year for his actions in battle and subsequent efforts to organise the Help for Heroes rugby match at Twickenham, raising over &pound500,000 for the charity alongside other former servicemen. Training for the cycle event has been intense and for two months Mr Cocks has been powering himself around Richmond Park in a bid to build enough arm strength to complete the challenge. “It’s going to be seriously tough and we’re under no illusions that we’re going to suffer quite a lot and probably be at the very back of the 300 other cyclists taking part,” he said. “But I really want the challenge &ndash unlike cycling with your legs you have to push yourself along non-stop with your arms, there’s no respite so the hills we encounter are going to be punishing.”
It is another step in a remarkable recovery by the west Londoner, who works in the city in civilian life.