A Warwickshire man who set himself a series of cycling challenges after twice beating cancer has broken the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance cycled in seven days.
James Golding, aged 36 and from Rugby, had to contend with the hottest June day in more than four decades as well as strong winds on his way to eclipsing the existing record of 2,830 km (1,760 miles) held by Yorkshire’s Richard Nutt.
He managed that late on Sunday night, completing a distance of 2,842.4 km (1,766.2 miles) at the end of a week in which he had been required to take a five hours’ rest in every 24 hours to comply with Guinness World Records rules.
The ride, which was logged on Strava, will now be verified by Guinness World Records.
Golding said: “I’m delighted to break the record. There were some tough moments, particularly mid-week in the hot weather, but I just needed to stay focused on the goal and keep pushing.
“I couldn’t have done it without an amazing team of supporters, and thanks must go to Dean Downing, my coach, for trailing me in the support car all week and keeping me going.
“This record has been a long-held ambition for me, one that started as I recovered from cancer. If we believe in something, we are all capable of achieving amazing things.
“Through this record, and others that follow in the future, I’m hoping to demonstrate, particularly to children, that we can overcome any challenge in life by taking one step at a time.”
A professional motivational speaker, Golding has raised more than £3 million for cancer charities in the UK and has set himself a series of cycling challenges including competing in the 2019 Race Across America.
He was given just a 5 per cent chance of survival when he underwent emergency in 2009 after being diagnosed with cancer the previous year.
In 2010, he was back in hospital when he and a riding colleague were hit by a truck while on a fundraising bike ride across the United States.
The following year, he rode from Los Angeles to Miami in 24 days, but shortly after returning was diagnosed with cancer for a second time.
Eventually, he would receive the all clear in May 2012.
11 thoughts on “Two-time cancer survivor from Warwickshire breaks seven-day distance cycling record”
And he didn’t dodge the hills
And he didn’t dodge the hills either, very impressive.
Fantastic, this is the kind
Fantastic, this is the kind of guy who should be recognised in the new years honours, great example that should be applauded.
Chapeau sir!
Chapeau sir!
Amazing effort and fantastic
Amazing effort and fantastic cause with an epic amount of money raised but this cannot be the record, not even close.
Sorry to be the bringer of bad news but the venerable Tommy G did 2084 miles between 15-21st July 1939
15th July 1939 – 236
16th July 1939 – 230
17th July 1939 – 313
18th July 1939 – 316
19th July 1939 – 333
20th July 1939 – 308
21st July 1939 -348
Why is it that records from yesteryear are seemingly ignored, even the Steve Searvogel year ‘record’ didn’t actually break TG 365 day ‘year’ record.
Again, not putting down the effort or cause but please can we actually verify what the actual records are so that claims to new records that are made are actually factually correct.
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
Probably to do with recording of the events, there’s nothing really to prove that TG actually did the miles he stated, no support car, no GPS etc. and some people doubt his record considering how current day athletes are being pushed hard to match/beat the record on brilliant modern bikes and smooth roads, with support cars and excellent nutrition etc.
DrG82 wrote:
You couldn’t be more wrong, bother to read up on how the miles were recorded!
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
Sorry to be the bringer of bad news but the venerable Tommy G did 2084 miles between 15-21st July 1939
15th July 1939 – 236
16th July 1939 – 230
17th July 1939 – 313
18th July 1939 – 316
19th July 1939 – 333
20th July 1939 – 308
21st July 1939 -348
Why is it that records from yesteryear are seemingly ignored, even the Steve Searvogel year ‘record’ didn’t actually break TG 365 day ‘year’ record.
Again, not putting down the effort or cause but please can we actually verify what the actual records are so that claims to new records that are made are actually factually correct.— BehindTheBikesheds
Probably to do with recording of the events, there’s nothing really to prove that TG actually did the miles he stated, no support car, no GPS etc. and some people doubt his record considering how current day athletes are being pushed hard to match/beat the record on brilliant modern bikes and smooth roads, with support cars and excellent nutrition etc.— DrG82
You couldn’t be more wrong, bother to read up on how the miles were recorded!— BehindTheBikesheds
I did so you dont have to…
Source: http://phased.co.uk/tommy-godwin-faq/
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
Did Tommy take the required 5 hours rest every 24 hours which is required for the record to be valid?
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
Kurt Searvogel I think you mean… and thats since been broken by Amanda Coker.
All three are fantastic cyclists.
So is Steve Abraham who I assume you have conflated with Kurt.
SoBinary wrote:
I defintely meant Kurt, SA hasn’t broken any records but maybe able to if he doesn’t encounter bad luck and decides to not do so much ascent.
Fantastic well done!
Fantastic well done!