James Golding

Five years ago James had no idea that he would go from having less than a 5 percent chance of survival and having to relearn how to walk, to cycling across countries and continents; and contributing to a charity figure raised of over $1 million.

In November 2008, doctors found an 11.5 cm tumor wedged between his spine, kidney and bowel. Due to complications, in February 2009 he also developed septicemia peritonitis and was given less than 5 percent chance of surviving. He dropped from 196 lbs to 84 lbs. After being kept in a coma he had to entirely rebuild himself, including learning how to walk again.

A year after being diagnosed James announced he would cycle across America (LA to Miami, 3500 miles in 34 days) to raise money for the people that helped him and his family through this time. His intention was to complete the challenge a year to the day of being given the all clear – 23rd July 2010.

In May 2010 James rode from Lands End to John O’Groats as a warm up, and two weeks later flew to LA to start the ride. All was going well until day 22. Just outside of New Orleans James was hit by a truck traveling at 70 mph putting him back in hospital. The ride was over.

Not being one to give up, in January 2011 James returned to the States and started the ride again from LA, cycling 3,473 miles in 24 days (with no rest days) and finishing in Miami. Since then he’s cycled coast-to-coast in Mexico, across France and taken part a number of other events.

In June 2011 the cancer returned. He has since been given the all clear following more surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In this time James also become a father to Freddie, something he was told would never happen. He now lives with Freddie and his wife-to-be, Louise.

In November 2013, in Australia, he’ll attempt to break the 7-day cycling world record of 1546.8 miles (220.97 miles per day) to raise funds for charity and become the first official person to break this record since 1940.

James intends on using this event as platform leading to 2014 where he plans to break the Round the World Cycling Record set in 2013 of 107 days.