Juan Carlos Hernandez is a 26-year-old army veteran who lost a major portion of his right leg while serving in Afghanistan. Now back home, Hernandez is cycling to his hearts content, competing in challenges and honor rides.

Juan Carlos Hernandez from Woodland Hills, California is one man who can’t be stopped. The 26-year-old army veteran lost a major portion of his right leg while serving in Afghanistan.

Now back home, Hernandez is cycling to his hearts content, competing in challenges and honor rides. Hernandez was in a helicopter when shrapnel from a grenade went though his leg.

Sadly, his injuries could not be corrected without amputation. He lost half his leg, from the knee on down. Hernandez took the recovery day by day until he was eventually able to take part in physical activities.

During this process, a worker at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio recommended a program to Hernandez called Ride 2 Recovery, after he showed a passion for bicycling. The veteran was given a bike and he immediately went to work, learning how to ride it with a prosthetic leg.

The aim of Ride 2 Recovery is to offer physical activity and support to wounded soldiers. Hernandez stated “Being able to give back to other guys who have sacrifice so much, being able to go to the rides and meet everybody and some way help them in their rehabilitation and get back into the fight is the highlight for my life at this moment.”