Rainmaker Ambassador, James Golding, has claimed cycling’s seven-day world record, completing a distance of 2,842.4 km (1,766.2 mi) between 19–25 June 2017.

Contending with the hottest June day in 41 years (21 June) and strong winds towards the end of the week, James was on his bike until late into the night on Sunday (25 June) to ensure he broke the previous world record of 2,830 km (1,760 mi) held by Yorkshireman, Richard Nutt.

James completed the record on his regular training roads around South Warwickshire, from his base in Rugby, and needed to rest for five hours in every 24 to satisfy the Guinness World Records requirements.

To date, as a result of his endeavours, James has raised over £3 million for UK cancer charities.

Two-time cancer survivor

His achievement is all the more impressive when you consider that in 2008, James was diagnosed with cancer. Despite an extensive and aggressive course of treatment, he was rushed to hospital, early in 2009, to undergo emergency life-saving surgery. Having been given only a five per cent chance of survival, miraculously, he pulled through.

After a long recovery, during which he needed to learn to walk again, James committed himself to helping others. In 2010, he attempted to ride across America, but was hospitalised after being hit by a truck at 70 mph. In 2011, he returned to the USA and cycled from Los Angeles to Miami in 24 days. Shortly after getting home, James was diagnosed with cancer for a second time. After further treatment, he finally received the all clear in May 2012.

“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, including Rainmaker.”

“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.”

James said

Taking on cycling’s toughest events

The seven-day distance world record is the first in a series of attempts for James on some of cycling’s most challenging events, including the holy grail of endurance cycling, The Race Across America in 2019.