Army Veteran's Staggering Ride Across The Country

“I am on my sixth pair of footwear, seventh tent and tenth month” Tiny (aka Allen) tells us as he peers out of his tent.

In December 2021, the French Foreign Legion army veteran who suffers from PTSD, set off from Plymouth to cycle the lengths of the UK in the hope to raise £40,000 for PTSD/CPTSD non-profit veteran support groups and charities. 

On his extraordinary adventure, Tiny has cycled from Land’s End to John O’Grats, climbed Ben Nevis, travelled across the West & East coast and stopped off in Holy Island all while pulling his trailer weighing over half a ton. The FLAB team were lucky enough to catch him as he made his way through Ilkley.

Suffering from arthritis, multiple heart attacks and diabetes, the journey has been no easy feat. Tiny finds his strength from his intrinsic joy of giving and helping others. He receives plenty of love and support from the strangers he meets along the way evidenced by the supportive messages and hand painted murals tattooed across his trailer.

As we stand at the side of a bustling Ilkley road telling us about his life on the streets and struggles with mental health and plans for the future, cars beep in support as they drive past. Tiny was able to get out of life on the streets by busking with his didgeridoo and continues to do so to raise money for food and basic necessities on his travels. 

Kitted up in mainly army gear, we thought we would help him out by gifting him a big bag of FLAB goodies to keep him safe, warm and dry on his onward journey. Tiny has another 10 months of travelling before heading back to Plymouth where he’ll rest for 2 days before doing it all again! 

Tiny continues to share his journey updates with his Facebook group and Youtube videos. You can support him in his epic mission by donating to his Go Fund Me page, and, if you do see him on his travels, make sure to say hi as we guarantee he will have a great story to tell you. 

What an inspirational cyclist. Wishing you all the best Tiny!