Finding New Roads: Danny’s Ride to Paris
26 August 2025
Meet Danny
- Respiratory Specialist
- Part of the London to Paris cycle challenge
Danny is a doctor based in Glasgow, originally from the West Midlands. After studying medicine at Imperial College London, he moved to Scotland with his partner, a fellow doctor from Naples, Italy. He’s now a Respiratory Specialist, with a degree in Neuroscience and Mental Health.
While Danny’s academic background included studying the brain and nervous system, nothing in his training prepared him for what was to come.
“Despite my medical studies in relation to neuroscience, I had no real experience of disability outside of the curriculum – let alone the realities of a spinal cord injury.”
A life-changing moment
In 2020, Danny had a cycling accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. He is now a full-time wheelchair user.
His accident happened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and hospital visits were restricted which made adjusting to life after spinal cord injury even more isolating.
He remembers his wife visiting him at the hospital and speaking to him through a window. They’d talk, share slices of pizza, and make plans for the future. It was a small moment of connection in an otherwise overwhelming time.
“There were tears in the early days,” Danny says. “But you have to accept it in order to move on. It’s never easy – but you manage.”
Meeting Back Up
Danny first encountered Back Up through an Outreach Coordinator named Rich, who visited him in the spinal unit. “He was incredibly charismatic,” Danny remembers. “He showed me how to back wheel balance, gave me practical tips and, more importantly, confidence.”
That meeting planted the seed that life after spinal cord injury could still be full of possibility.
Adapting and rediscovering adventure
Since his injury, Danny has redefined what adventure looks like. He proposed to his partner at the top of the Cairngorms in Scotland and they later honeymooned in Peru, exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu together.
Still, the adjustment hasn’t been easy. “I still dream about running and cycling,” he says. “Waking up and remembering I can’t do those things anymore is hard. But I try to focus on what I can do now.”
Taking on the No Limits challenge: London to Paris
Danny heard about Back Up’s No Limits challenge – a 450km handcycle from London to Paris – through his lawyer, Julian at Stewarts. At first, he didn’t think it was something he could take on.
“I didn’t think I was fit enough. But every year I’ve been getting stronger. Now I feel ready to find my limits – and push past them.”
To train, Danny’s using Zwift, a virtual cycling platform that lets him ride routes across France from home. “It means I don’t have to worry about punctures, weather, or medical complications. I can focus on building strength.”
The scale of the challenge is clear. “I’ve never ridden more than 100 miles in a day. Doing that for several days in a row will be tough. But I’m determined.”
What’s he most looking forward to? “Rolling into Paris with the team, having a croissant and a beer. That moment will make it all worth it.”
Why it matters
For Danny, this isn’t just a physical challenge. It’s about strength, visibility, and showing what’s possible.
“Back Up shows you what’s possible. You can still live an amazing life – you might just have to do things differently.”
Through the No Limits challenge, Danny is proving that with support, determination, and the right team around you, there truly are no limits.
