HE HAS beaten cancer twice – and now a Rugby man has conquered a new cycling world record, overcoming the hottest June day in 41 years (June 21) in the process.
James Golding broke the record for distance cycled in seven days by riding 1,766.2 miles between June 19-25.
Having overcome the heatwave, James battled against strong winds towards the end of the week and was on his bike until late into the night on Sunday to ensure he broke the previous world record of 1,760 miles, held by Yorkshireman Richard Nutt.
James 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.”
Since narrowly surviving surgery in 2009, the 36 year-old has not only learned to walk again, but has cycled the 2,700 distance between Los Angeles and Miami in 24 days.
And a road accident and a second cancer diagnosis did not deterred the cyclist – who is now an ambassador of Cancer Research UK – from his latest challenge.
After James was given the all-clear in 2012, he began inspiring others with his brave story, and has raised over £3million for cancer charities.
He added: “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.”
The Rugby man completed the record on his regular training roads around South Warwickshire, needing to rest for five hours in every 24 to satisfy the Guinness World Records requirements.
His achievement is expected to be verified with Guinness World Records at a later date.
The record is the first in a series of challenges James has set himself on some of cycling’s most challenging events – including the holy grail of endurance cycling, The Race Across America in 2019.
Golding was supported in his record attempt by Rainmaker Solutions, Trek Bikes, Mavic, Stealth Secret Training, Kalas Sportswear, Wattbike, Core Health and Wellness. His key support crew and coach for the world record was former Great Britain National Team rider, Dean Downing.
