Tommy Godwin | Long Distance Legend
Tommy Godwin | Long Distance Legend
Tommy Godwin rode further in one year than anyone else in history. He is still the 'Year Record' holder
and the record will remain his in perpetuity.
Tommy rode a steel framed bike with only four gears. Although Tommy had access to some of the best bikes of the time,
these would pale in comparison with modern machines.
The 1930's was a golden age of endurance cycling. Although Tommy would ultimately take the 'Year Record' crown,
many brave and strong riders also aimed for cycling glory.
Not only did Tommy smash the 'Year Record', but he would also go on to be the fastest to 100,000 miles.
Where did he ride to on all of those long days in the saddle?
291 miles – on 16th December
59 miles – on 25th December
174.13 miles per day
5,398 miles
75,065 miles
• 16th December – Mid-winter in wartime UK. Tommy still manages to record huge mileage.
• 25th December – Christmas day, and a time for rest and reflection on a record-breaking year. Tommy records the lowest total for the year (besides the 28th October when he didn’t ride).
• 31st December – New Years Eve 1939. Europe is entering a new period of uncertainty, and the next year will see untold misery across the continent. Tommy Godwin continues with his peaceful and positive challenge: he will go on to record the fastest completion of 100,000 miles by May of 1940.
December 15th, 193973 milesDecember 16th, 1939Winter in wartime Britain, yet Tommy still manages to clock up massive mileage. Today’s efforts:291 milesDecember 17th, 1939182 milesDecember 18th, 1939182 milesDecember 19th, 1939181 milesDecember 20th, 1939189 milesDecember 21st, 1939210 milesDecember 22nd, 1939218 milesDecember 23rd, 1939224 milesDecember 24th, 1939234 milesDecember 25th, 1939Christmas Day 1939, and a time for rest and reflection on a record-breaking year. Today’s total:59 milesDecember 26th, 1939185 milesDecember 27th, 1939204 milesDecember 28th, 1939172 miles(Please mouseover calendar above for daily mileage)
Peter Hambley, a lifelong racing and touring cyclist will attempt to ride from Newcastle-under-Lyme cenotaph to the RAF station at Cosford and back on Saturday the 3rd of June. A… Read more »
From bikes to bassoons, phones to furniture, Urban Jungle offers simple, clear and fair Home Insurance policies, designed for a new generation.
