No Easy Ride
Men's Fitness|October 2019

Despite Gearing Up For The Toughest Bike Race In The World, Endurance Cyclist James Golding Knows It Will Be Nothing Compared To The Ordeal He’s Already Overcome

No Easy Ride

James Golding doesn’t look like your typical clean-cut bike rider. In a sport where the elite operators tend to be whip-thin and small boned – think Bradley Wiggins or Chris Froome – Golding stands 6ft 4, with broad shoulders and hands like a navvy. Viewed shirtless, his abdomen is enough of a mess to be a little disquieting. The puncture wounds dotting his ribs, belly and arms are complemented by two large scars – one circular and dark, the other long and jagged – stretching from below his navel to just beneath his sternum.

A thoughtful talker and frequent smiler, the ultra-endurance specialist makes for pleasant company. Yet in common with many athletes who push the limits of human capability, he shows hints of darkness, too. The odd frown, a piercing gaze – it’s pretty obvious that James Golding has seen some shit.

From Rugby, in The Midlands, Golding is unique in the world of competitive ultraendurance cycling. Not only is he the current seven-day distance world record holder, managing 1,766 miles in a week (over 250 miles per day) in June 2017; he is also a walking, riding miracle.

Eleven years ago, at the age of 28, he was diagnosed with a very rare abdominal cancer. The tumour eventually swelled to enormous proportions, with a diameter of 11.5cm at its peak. Golding pulled through and took up cycling for catharsis, only to suffer the heartbreak of relapse in 2011.

But with the years of surgery and chemo now thankfully left behind, his sights are set on the infamous Race Across America (known as RAAM). Men’s Fitness caught up with Golding a few days after he completed Race Across the West, one of RAAM’s qualifying events.

This story is from the October 2019 edition of Men's Fitness.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2019 edition of Men's Fitness.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MEN'S FITNESSView All
FULL STRETCH
Men's Fitness UK

FULL STRETCH

Limber up for improved lifting performance with these targeted stretches

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2024
FIGHT FAT WITH CLEVER CARDIO
Men's Fitness UK

FIGHT FAT WITH CLEVER CARDIO

Cardiovascular exercise is in some ways the simplest form of fitness there is just jump ona bike, lace up your shoes or dive in and away you go. But if you want to use cardio as an effective fat loss tool, there’s a little more you need to know. Let us show you how to make the most of your sessions to maximise the burn

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2024
COOK UP A STORM
Men's Fitness UK

COOK UP A STORM

Unlock your inner chef with advice from some of the world's foremost food experts

time-read
8 mins  |
April 2024
Under the INFLUENCE
Men's Fitness UK

Under the INFLUENCE

New research suggests social media has a negative impact on body image. So how can you navigate your feeds without comparing yourself to an unrealistic ideal?

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2024
SEE THE LIGHT
Men's Fitness UK

SEE THE LIGHT

Red light therapy promises accelerated recovery and has become a key tool for | professional athletes looking to get back into action as soon as possible. But is it too good to be true?

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2024
TOP DRAWER
Men's Fitness UK

TOP DRAWER

Whether you’re looking for long-sleeve warmth for colder winter runs or a lightweight tee that keeps you cool and dry during hot summer sessions, a few high-quality running tops are essential items in your kit bag

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2024
OFF-ROAD Runners
Men's Fitness UK

OFF-ROAD Runners

If you’re tackling a lot of off-road running, your regular roadies aren’t going to cut it. We recruited pro run-tester Kieran Alger to put the latest selection of trail shoes through their paces here are his favourites

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2024
ON CHARGE
Men's Fitness UK

ON CHARGE

The Fitbit Charge 6 steps into the fitness arena with new features and a sleek design, but does it meet the high expectations set by its predecessors?

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2024
FEET FIRST
Men's Fitness UK

FEET FIRST

Build an injury-proof body with advice from biomechanics consultant Travis Allan, who’s yorked with Olympians and elite sportsmen

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
"Don't be ashamed of your emotions.They are all part of being human"
Men's Fitness UK

"Don't be ashamed of your emotions.They are all part of being human"

Special Forces operative turned SAS: Who Dares Wins mainstay Jason Fox's guide to building mental and physical resilience

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2024