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?
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 former apprentice and retired engineering manager at Michelin Tyre Co. he hopes to complete the 70 mile ride in 10 hours.
Peter knew Tommy Godwin at various stages of his life; in 1956 Tommy was Chairman of the NCU at the same time as Peter was Secretary. Peter and Tommy would also meet frequently as opposing team members of racing rivals Stone Wheelers and Saint Christopher’s Catholic Cycling Club. In later years, Tommy and Peter would both work at the Michelin tyre factory in Stoke.
Peter’s charity ride is planned to pass through rural Staffordshire taking in the villages of Swynnerton, Ellenhall, Ranton, Gnosall, Church Eaton, High Onn, Blymhill, Ivetsy Bank, Bishop’s Wood, Boscobel, Cosford, Weston under Lizard and Tonge.
If you would like to offer your support or simply to read more about his challenge, please visit his justgiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Peter-Hambley
Marguerite was the outstanding talent of women’s cycling in 1930s Britain. ‘The Blond Bombshell from Bournemouth’, as she was dubbed by the press, held all the women’s distance records, including the The Land’s End to John o’Groats and 1,000 miles.
She was the first full time female professional cyclist.
Why not have a look at the great website celebrating her achivements:
Very sad to hear that Steve Abraham’s valiant attempts to break Tommy Godwin’s long-standing year record have ended in disaster.
Despite racking up a mind-boggling 16,888 miles for the year to date (2,500+ miles further ahead of Tommy at the same stage!), Steve was involved in a collision with a moped on the A38 in Somerset.
Steve requires surgery on a broken ankle; we wish him a very speedy recovery.
Hope to hear of news from Steve to re-attempt the challenge at some point in the future.
The very best of luck to Steve Abraham who is attempting to beat Tommy’s record in 2015.
Steve is starting his epic ride on the 1st January 2015 with hugely ambitious schedules that will exceed 80,000 + miles.
Of course even with a successful ride, Steve will not be entered into the Guinness book of records but this is of no matter.
Caps will most certainly be doffed by the entire cycling world if he manages to beat Tommy’s punishing 205 mile a day average.
Gut instinct tells me that Steve will fall short, but I wish him every luck and good will; Forza Steve!
Tommy Godwin’s story has been beautifully presented in the latest edition of Boneshaker Magazine. For those of you not familiar with ‘Boneshaker’ magazine, it quite simply is one of the most lovingly crafted bike magazines in the world right now.
A beautiful magazine needs a beautiful story, and we are so pleased that Boneshaker decided to go with the story of Tommy’s epic ride as lead article in the latest edition of the mag.
You can have a sneak peek of issue #15 over at Boneshaker’s website.
Additionally, you can download the full article on Tommy by clicking here.
Many congratulations to Tommy’s family and friends on his inauguration into the Stoke Sporting Hall of Fame:
Sentinel Sports Personalities of the Year
This incredible athlete is finally getting the attention that he deserves.
Thanks to all of you who contacted the Evening Sentinel to put Tommy’s name forward for consideration.
On his birthday in 1939, Tommy rode a massive 248 miles.
It’s not known whether he had time for a birthday party (or cake?) after yet another punishing day in the saddle…
In the 75th anniversary of his record-breaking feat, let’s hope that we can raise a toast to Tommy after tonights gala dinner taking place at the King’s Hall, Stoke.
We hope that the City of Stoke-on-Trent honours Tommy tonight by entering him in to Stoke’s Sporting Hall of Fame.
Best wishes and good luck to Tommy’s family, friends and admirers.
In the 75th anniversary year of Tommy Godwin’s world record breaking ride, we’d like to ask for your help in getting Tommy Godwin entered into Stoke’s Sporting Hall of Fame.
Current members include darts legend Phil Taylor, footballers Stanley Matthews, Roy Sproson and Gordon Banks, cricketers David Steele and Bob Taylor, hockey gold-medallist Imran Sherwani and squash player Angela Smith. Two Stoke-on-Trent cyclists also join this heavyweight sporting elite: Les West and Roy Swinnerton.
We can’t think of anything more fitting and appropriate than for Tommy to be added as the third cyclist to be entered into Stoke-on-Trent sporting folklore, in this 75th anniversary year. In truth, the fact that Tommy has not already been entered into Stoke’s Sporting Hall of Fame is a huge oversight when fully appreciating the extent of his achievements.
The Sentinel newspaper will hold it’s annual Sports Personality of the Year awards on June 5th, 2014. (Coincidentally, June 5th is Tommy’s birthday!)
Please help us to get Tommy entered into the Sporting Hall of Fame by sending an email with a short message with your own reasons why you think Tommy should be considered.
Email chris.travers@thesentinel.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can phone Chris on (01782) 864164.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Monday, March 24.
Many thanks.
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 »
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