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Inspiration biker fulfils ambition

Fri, 30 Aug 2019

A biker who was told he would never walk again and had just a 30 per cent chance of survival has completed a lifelong dream.

Talan Skeels-Piggins, 48, was left paralysed from the chest down following a motorbike accident in 2003.

Now, 16 years on, he has travelled to the island for the first time and completed the parade lap at the Classic TT.

Talan, a former Royal Navy fighter controller, also raised the profile of The Bike Experience, a Wiltshire-based charity he set up to help people who have been seriously injured learn to ride through special training events.

Speaking after his first visit, Talan said it had been a wonderful experience: ‘From start to finish, this has been a truly memorable trip. The Isle of Man is a fabulous place and to meet so many other like-minded bike fans and racers and actually go around the famous TT course was a dream come true.

‘When you are paralysed and told by medics you will never walk again, the wheelchair becomes a prison you cannot escape but biking gives you total fulfilment and exhilaration.

‘It allows you to grow in confidence and improves your strength and balance. It is good for physical as well as mental wellbeing and there’s no question learning to ride or being able to ride again can change people's lives.

‘This is why I set up the charity and hopefully this week has shown people what they thought was impossible is actually possible.’

Talan completed his lap of the TT course in 25 minutes, an average speed in the region of 90 miles per hour.

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