Dashboard
James' Statistics
James Golding is attempting to complete the Race Across America, find out how he’s doing:
Team Leaderboard
| Willkie Farr - LDN |
1,342.0 km
|
38h 43m
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley - LDN |
1,281.7 km
|
34h 45m
|
|
| Freshfields |
981.2 km
|
27h 41m
|
How is James Golding doing?
My name is James Golding and in 2024 I will aim to become the first British cyclist to win the world toughest bike race, the Race Across America (RAAM)
In 42 editions no British rider has ever won this race - and less than 200 global athletes have officially completed it within the time cut. It’s the world toughest cycling race covering 3100miles from the West to East coast of America through 12 states, climbing over 54,000m through the Sierra, Rocky and Appalachian mountains, reaching altitudes of 3300m with temperatures ranging from freezing to an incredible 50+ degrees in the desert.
And, I’ll be aiming to complete this within 9 days.
Some might say my plan is bold - audacious perhaps, but my confidence is born from experience, vision, commitment, belief, teamwork and most of all reflection.
After being diagnosed with cancer twice, at one point being rushed into emergency surgery, being kept in a coma and having less than a 5% chance of survival, loosing over half my body weight dropping to just 6 stone and having to re-learn how to walk, I have come to believe anything is possible and that - One Step At A Time.
We are all capable of achieving anything we put our minds to.
Shortly after re-learning to walk I discovered cycling and since then have gone on to cycle across countries, continents and compete in over 50 multi-day events. I have become the first British person to hold the Guinness Seven Day World record for distance cycled. I got married, had two children, raised over £3 million for charity, and have used my experience to inspire others through public speaking, school visits and one-to-one sessions with people from all walks of life.
In 2019 I finished third in Race Across West qualifying for RAAM, in 2022 I was one of the favourites to win RAAM and in third place before I was taken to hospital where I was diagnosed with Covid and forced to withdraw from the race.
In May of 2023 I returned to racing after a long break finishing fourth in the European Championships. This was the start of the return to RAAM.
For many, my return to the start line in Oceanside, California in June has not come as a surprise, but it needed some serious thought and a number of conversations with family (especially Louise), the team and many of those who have been there for me on the "Road to RAAM".
In 2022, after six years of planning, four years of preparation, the challenges of the pandemic, I got to America in the best shape of my life and one of the favourites for the win. Everything was going well, steadily moving thorough the group from 19th starter to sitting in 3rd, 398 miles covered in the first 22 hours with everything going to plan, until it wasn’t.
The disappointment of 2022 was tough but time off the bike provided me with hindsight, perspective, and a new passion for the event in 2024. I have already processed my entry and will be returning to the USA with the aim of being the first British winner of the world's toughest bike race.
By making the decision to keep going we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. It helps lift others in ways you will never know. I might not achieve my goal but if other people achieve theirs because they saw me keep going, then for me, that's a win. It’s my story but it’s not about me, it’s about showing resilience, courage, determination, fortitude and not being afraid to say “I want to be the best at what I do”... ??
CHALLENGE TARGETS
- Win RAAM
- First British person to win RAAM
- Fastest British Person of All time
- Ride time – 8 to 9 days / 192 - 216 hours •Ave. Speed – 15.6mph / 25.1 kph
- Miles per day – 375 miles / 603 kilometres •Ave. time in the saddle per day ~ 22 hours •Ave. sleep per day ~ 2 hours
THE RAAM IN NUMBERS
- Distance: 3,100 miles /4,988 kilometres San Diego (West Coast) to Atlantic City (East Coast)
- Climbing: 56,961ft / 17,361m of climbing, equivalent of twice the height of Everest
- Highest Point: 8,392 ft / 3,309 m • Two days at over 2,000m