Seriously impressive guy and well done David for setting this up/doing the book. Hope it goes well for you.
I can't imagine him having access to enough calories in wartime?
Calories hadn't been invented then so he was fine.
Bike Forum
Cycling 75065 miles in a year.
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Posted 5 months ago #
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DavidB - Member
touche! ok less drivers activley trying to kill youNot in 1939 D0NK
Posted 5 months ago # -
The lorries point is bobbins I believe. In 1939 nobody would have been able to afford the fuel.
Maybe the lorry point is bobbins, maybe not. But using an excuse that no one could afford the petrol doesn't add up - stuff was still transported around UK by lorry during WWII & war didn't start till 6 months into his record attempt.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I would imagine that some A roads were probably in good condition due to less traffic (though horses were still being used so maybe not) but I bet a lot of roads were not metalled. But this is all speculation. Drafting? So what? He would have still been sat on his bike for hours on end everyday for 15 months (not sure if he ever missed any days).
As true sons of Stoke-on-Trent (me and Tommy) he is possibly the closest I've ever come to having a "hero", puts bloody Robbie/Slash/Lemmy to shame, IMHO.
Some of the old guys I occasionally ride with met/knew Tommy slightly having been youngsters in clubs that he was associated with in the Potteries when he came home in the 50/60's.
I greatly look forward to the book.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I can only imagine that today's bikes, roads and support available would mean that this challenge would be easier today, which makes what he did astronomically monumental. I would like to see someone try to repeat it.
Surely Lance could give it a go?Posted 5 months ago # -
Less Motor Vehicle perhaps, but those that were about probably had worse steering and Brakes and were more likely to be driven by a chap Who'd had one or 2 for the road...
Not only that but could you contend that the construction and quality of the Roads he was riding on were generally poorer?
Bare in mind the available equipment too, somehow I doubt he was riding a superlight Carbon frames 22 speed wonder machine...
Nope Definately a tough chap...
I wonder what he would make of us lot... Very little I expect.
Posted 5 months ago # -
But using an excuse that no one could afford the petrol doesn't add up - stuff was still transported around UK by lorry during WWII & war didn't start till 6 months into his record attempt.
OK. I will try again.
1) His attempt was heavily scrutinised, I've found no mention of lorry drafting at all, and I've been researching it for years
2) Think through the logistics. To do the mileage he was up and riding from 5am most days, how did he find the lorry, did he have a car to draft him until a lorry passed and he latched onto that
3) Not many lorries drove in continuous circles, so he would have ended up stranded either waiting for the driver's tea break or having to shoot off in search of another lorry
4) lorries were slower, but not that slow in 1939. You'd want them to be doing 25mph for it to be comfortable over extended distanceBasically, the main thing that helped Tommy get the record was his incredible mental and physical endurance
Posted 5 months ago # -
David, this guys achievement is incredible, I'd struggle to do one day's distance let alone keep it up for a year or so! I mentioned your piece to guys at work and we wondered how he chose his route? Was he just doing the same circuit - I can't begin to imagine the mental torment..
Edit - thanks wwaswas for bringing this to our attention.
Posted 5 months ago # -
chives, this has proved to be one of the hardest areas for me to research as not many records exist. What I do know is that he tried various bits of the country but didn't really get on with the hills (understandable) and so based himself round the Hemel Hempstead area and rode around there.
He was not doing the exact same circuit as his daily mileages very rarely repeat, but was clearly using an amalgamation of known loops/routes to give himself the optimal distance for the day's conditions and his physical state.
I am in touch with someone who is considering having a go at the record. I plan to ride one week of his mileages in March/April next year as part of my research. My idea was to create a "cloverleaf" of routes from a base (my house) so I can never be too far from food or assistance.
Posted 5 months ago # -
so based himself round the Hemel Hempstead area and rode around there
did he just enter the 'Magic Roundabout' (as it's known) in Hemel Hempstead and it took him a year to find his way out? I've done the in a car before.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Yes brakes, but it slingshotted him to the Swindon version causing an endless loop
Posted 5 months ago # -
{can we replace the Godwin rule with the point within a thread that Elfin will pop up one?}
No no, wait; I expressed doubts because I was unaware of how such a feat was verified. Rather than blindly accepting things that I'm told, I like to see proof, you see? If you don't ask questions, you don't get answers. Forgive my scepticism, but I'm kind of scientific like that.
Anyway, Tommy's achievement was very very closely scrutinised in 1939 by Cycling magazine. He was shadowed regularly and his odometer was sealed and inspected daily by witnesses. A daily mileage card was then signed and submitted to Cycling magazine for verification. They watched him like a hawk as this was a very prestigious record that had switched from UK to Australia and back again in recent years.
Then fair enough. I now have absolutely no problem with the information. A truly incredible feat.
Posted 5 months ago # -
No fred, you piled in with a theory about sponsors instead of politely asking for some clarification.
But ho hum, my work continues.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Well, lots of companies used to make all sorts of outlandish and exaggerated claims about their products, not least cigarette and alcohol manufacturers, so it's not unfeasible that such feats may well have bin exaggerated and embellished somewhat. My mum was actually alive in1939 and tells me that such things were common practice, but most people took them with a pinch of salt really. Modern laws dictate that you can't do this now, and you have to be more 'honest' about your products and services.
You've now provided more info that lends more weight to the story, and that's fine. Good work.
I don't think I was being particularly 'impolite' with my scepticism. And I wasnt' questioning your integrity and sincerity in any way. You don't have to be so defensive now.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Not in the same league as Tommy Godwin's feat, but the CTC has the 300,000 mile club for lifetime mileage.
The leading member has now topped 900K! : Chris DaviesPosted 5 months ago # -
I'm surprised that no one on here has made him eat dust.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Notice that he only needed 4 gears to do this mileage.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I would imagine he was inpotent by the end of that.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Van cough, he fathered three after the attempt. His son was conceived when Tommy was in his fifties
Posted 5 months ago #
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