Keen Sportsman Joining With Legal Experts To Mark Bike Week

A former PE teacher turned businessman from Llandeilo who underwent amputation of his right leg has spoken out on how he is helping others get through lockdown with virtual cycling sessions.

Wyn Jenkins had his right leg amputated in March 2010 following a knee operation.  As a result, the keen sportsman found it difficult to take part in activities he previously enjoyed, including rugby and running marathons.

Following the surgery, Wyn instructed experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell to help him access specialist treatment and support.

Since then, he has worked with his prosthetist to develop an artificial limb specifically for cycling, enabling him to be comfortable on a standard road bicycle.  He has also helped set up a cycling club in his home town, which is open to people of all abilities.  Members have included two other amputees and others with ongoing medical issues.

With lockdown currently restricting the clubs group activities, Wyn, 69, is hosting indoor virtual cycling training sessions.  He is now joining with his legal team to mark Cycling UK’s Bike Week, which runs from 6 to 14 June and showcases the benefits of the activity.

Expert Opinion

“It has been 11 years since Wyn underwent his amputation, and he has gone on to achieve amazing things with his cycling.

Through our work, we sadly see many people who go through experiences that affect them daily, and Wyn is a great example of what you can do when you are determined to get your life back on track.

He was a keen sportsman before the surgery, and it is heart warming to see that he hasn’t given up on this despite the amputation.

As we mark Bike Week, Wyn’s story is an important reminder on the benefits of cycling.”
Anna Stacey - Partner & Team Leader

For the last five years, Wyn has run weekly indoor turbo cycling sessions for club members during the Winter nights.  He uses his background experience as an endurance athletics coach to help develop structured training plans for these sessions.

Since lockdown began, Wyn has continued with the sessions, using Zoom to ensure people can take part remotely.  He has also extended participation beyond club members to anyone interested, and the sessions are now taking place twice a week.

He said: “The lockdown has been tough for many people and a lot of the participants in my sessions have confirmed that the social interaction, along with a shared passion for cycling, has helped them enormously.  It speaks volumes that the attendance record since we started the sessions at the beginning of April is at 97%!

“We have people joining from Worcester, Ilkley in Yorkshire, Taunton and Hayle in Cornwall, and the sessions have become so popular that I now host two sessions a week instead of one.”

In addition to the sessions, Wyn enjoys going for bike rides with his wife Marg, 69, usually sticking to shorter distances of 20 to 30 miles, and staying close to home.  He also uses a BKool trainer and software to take part in a choice of 80,000 virtual rides with cyclists from around the world.

He added: “Since my amputation, I have gone through many ups and downs, and it took a lot of getting used to.

“I had always been active and into sports, so I was determined to get back out there and I am so glad that I did.

“The independence I get from cycling is incredible, and it is great to know that I am also helping others during this challenging time.

“Our cycling club is open to anyone, whether they are able bodied or living with disabilities and other physical issues.  The important thing for me is that the members don’t define me by my disability; I’m just Wyn to them, and I love that!”