Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Two-time cancer survivor from Warwickshire breaks seven-day distance cycling record

James Golding from Rugby rode 2,842.2 kilometres in a week for new Guinness World Record

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.

James Golding Strava.jpg

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.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Add new comment

11 comments

Avatar
Curly | 6 years ago
1 like

Fantastic well done!

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
1 like

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.

Avatar
DrG82 replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
1 like

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

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.

 

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.

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to DrG82 | 6 years ago
0 likes

DrG82 wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

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.

 

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.

You couldn't be more wrong, bother to read up on how the miles were recorded!

Avatar
zanf replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
0 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
DrG82 wrote:
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

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.

 

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.

You couldn't be more wrong, bother to read up on how the miles were recorded!

I did so you dont have to...

Quote:

How Was Godwin’s Mileage Verified?

Tommy’s daily mileages were verified using a number of mechanisms. His mileometer was sealed at the start of the record and witnessed by a third party. He then used mileage cards each day that were signed by witnesses who would verify his mileage against his mileometer along with his location. Cards would usually be signed and verified by those in public service and deemed trustworthy, such as postmasters, police officers or wardens. Thee cards were posted daily to Cycling magazine who would then cross check each of the entries and distances to ensure that they were valid.

The RAC along with Cycling magazine also carried out spot checks, following Tommy, to ensure that he was riding the distances and the speeds he claimed. Finally, Tommy’s attempt was very public and he was always under the scrutiny of club cyclists  and the general public.

Source: http://phased.co.uk/tommy-godwin-faq/

Avatar
Welsh boy replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
2 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

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.

 

Did Tommy take the required 5 hours rest every 24 hours which is required for the record to be valid?

Avatar
SoBinary replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
0 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

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.

 

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.

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to SoBinary | 6 years ago
0 likes

SoBinary wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

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.

 

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.

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.

Avatar
balmybaldwin | 6 years ago
1 like

Chapeau sir!

Avatar
Grahamd | 6 years ago
3 likes

Fantastic, this is the kind of guy who should be recognised in the new years honours, great example that should be applauded.

Avatar
DrG82 | 6 years ago
0 likes

And he didn't dodge the hills either, very impressive.

Latest Comments