Starting on January 1st 2015 Steven Abraham commenced an attempt to beat Tommy Godwin's record set in 1939.
He has to cycle more than 75,065 miles in 365 days. The target to beat was 75,065 miles (click here to see how far 75,065 miles is). That is an average of over 205 miles a day, every day, for a year.
Steve was firmly on track to achieve his goal when he was struck by a careless motorcycle rider on 29 March 2015, breaking his leg above the ankle. The accident meant that Steve had to completely stop riding for two weeks - and then resume cycling gradually, using just one leg to pedal. During this recovery period he was riding a modified ICE Vortex racing recumbent trike, which assisted in his rehabilitation to two legged-riding. But he lost thousands of miles against his world record schedule and although his recovery was still not complete he eventually reached a point where he felt he could give his all once more - and launched a second attempt at his Highest Annual Mileage record attempt on 8 August 2015. He abandoned this attempt when it became obvious his fitness had been compromised by the accident and lack of time to recover. He made a third attempt in 2017 and currently holds the record for his age-group.
Steve was backed by a team of volunteers who organised everything from sponsorship and donations to providing food, accommodation and maintenance each night.
Comments
Keep going Steve.....you can do this !!
Barbara and Colin Godwin
Just keep going you have another 8 months of your challenge to go be positive, we are all behind you.
Best wishes Tommys family.
He needs K.S.,s advantages. Good weather,flat terrain and the ability to chase the wind and the climate. Kurt has one other big advantage. A fantastic girl friend, now wife who looks after his every need.
on another point, I would be interested to know how UMCAS verifies the mileages, other than by Garmin tracking. On one day Kurt used his wifes Garmin as his had water damage. just taking Garmins word for it doesn't seem enough to me.
It's a sobering thought that in continuing for the 100,000 miles record Tommy effectively broke his own newly-established year record. Yet for some reason history seems to have overlooked this fact. Tommy was too modest!
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=87730.msg1800498#msg1800498
Some commenters have dismissed these figures, on the grounds that no start was announced, but as far as I am concerned that's immaterial: if it can be verified he did it, that's all that matters. Anyway, we're not talking about ratification, just recognition of Tommy's achievement and the answer to the question of most miles ridden in a 365-day period..
How did this incredible man achieve all this 76 years ago ? Dave Barter after 10 years of research knows how he did it. This book is a "must" read for anyone interested in "The Year Record"
Very best of luck for the rest of the attempt - and take extra care today!
I'd still be interested to understand the latest schedule for Steve, so we can see whether he's up or down against the new target. I always thought the real challenge would be to keep up with Tommy's huge summer and autumn mileages, after surviving the cold winter months. The alternative of 200+ miles a day through January and February must be very unappealing.
An incredible achievement by an incredible man.
So proudly remembered by his loving family.
Anyway, although we must acknowledge the amazing mileage done by Kurt Searvogel,there is no comparison. The weather is on his side and he is hardly doing any climbing at all compared to Steve Abraham and I presume to Tommy.
David Stevenson
For me it's more of a mark of respect for Tommy Godwin, as his ride was so much more than just the 75,065 in the first 365 days. The push to 100,000 requiring 76,600 in the last 365 days was something else again, and has never been acknowledged as far as I know. I think it's time we did that.
This is in no way a criticism of Stevens attempt hes doing great ! but I feel my fathers memory has to be protected.
Many thanks for everyone's continued support.
We wish Steve well on his attempt.
Tommys daughter and family
40 years today since the great man passed.
RIP Tommy
Barbara Tommys daughter
July was a very special month in Tommy's record ride. He recorded no fewer than 18 daily rides of over 280 miles (450km). On the 21st July 1939, H.H.England - the head scrutineer of checking and compiling the daily mileages, followed him all day and recorded 348 miles (560km) to dispel any doubters.
Hope all is going to plan for Steve's restart.
this site 29474 ??
The website just automatically pulls the figures from the rides loaded on Strava,
Ultimately both figures should concur, but UCMA can lag behind the Strava figure in updating the official mileage.
Phil
Run by volunteers who are doing an amazing job of supporting Steve.
What have you done to assist or are you just content to criticise?
I thought you had been fitted with a bionic leg, until I realised your daily totals are in kilometers not miles !
(Please can we have the totals in miles)
Well done so far, keep peddling and keep safe
Regards Barbara (Tommys daughter)
Some comments on this site are suggesting that this record is a "done deal" and no great challenge, this is so disrespectful to ALL of the former holders of the record., but lets give Tommy Godwin the credit he deserves, he didnt think his attempt on Ossie Nicholsons record was "in the bag" until he passed Ossies miles, we feel we need to protect Tommys memory.
Speedy recovery Steve
Barbara and Colin Godwin (Tommys daughter and son)
In retrospect I do feel that the attempt should be headed
"Steven's Ride to Establish a New Record"
Nothing at all against Steve, you are doing a fantastic ride but there can not be any comparison with now and 1939.
Hello Godfrey Barlow, nice to see your name after many years. All the best Steve, from Vancouver Island, Canada.
Dad always said that with the benefit of hindsight he would have started his record attempt in May, thereby only suffering one winter for the Year Record.
You have done Tommy proud with your valiant effort.
this record needs to stay in Britain!
Get well and remember there is always another time.
Kindest regards.
Barbara and Colin (Tommys Son and daughter)
Ian
The Met Office records for 1940 state that the winter of 1940 was one of the worst on record. There were 15ft snow drifts and an average of minus 10 degrees.
Dad always said that with the benefit of hindsight he would have started his record attempt in May, thereby only suffering one winter for the Year Record.
A little known fact is that he was going to go again for the the World record,......... to try and beat his own mileage, but WW2 put paid to that.
Barbara
The measure of Steve's ride so far is that he does appear to have a real prospect of breaking Tommy's record. It such an incredible feat of indurence. Today (27 March) he has done his biggest mileage yet (I think) of nearly 244 miles. And now he has to get up tomorrow and do another couple of hundred. Remarkable man. Remarkable fortitude.
Andrew
Barbara (Tommys eldest daughter)
His highest daily mileage was 361 miles on June 21st 1939.
He told me that he challenged himself to do this in answer to his "doubters" I think we can safely say he silenced them.
Keep going Steve.
Barbara (Tommys daughter)
So after a year or 365 days from the riders start date, these are the figures that count. Mileage after that date cannot be backdated to change the year record figures.
Barbara (Tommys daughter)
(a) try to invent new rules once a record attempt has started
(b) try to predict the outcome of an extremely long race after 20% of the distance.
Both riders are below the daily average they will have to have at the end of the year, both have a plan and both will have to follow that plan. Steve is doing an amazingly consistent performance and showed that he can ride come rain come shine. So relax, sit back and enjoy the performance of both!
And of course we all see in these two guys the expediters of the dreams we have but know we will never live. Because I personally would never be able to do 300km a day for, say, more than a couple of days. And that would mean 10yrs of training beforehand...
"Some say he is more machine than man.....I tend to agree".
Graphics are great on the site, one little thing that may be great is as he hits each point, so he has done the equivalent of 16 LEJOG as os today, put a cross through each one he completes.
Keep it up guys.
Kevin Stokes - Team MK
Long way to go yet.
Best of luck Steve
Barbara (Tommys very proud daughter)
Good luck Steve.
I also don't think any professional could attempt this record, no winter lay off, can be sick, cant take risks, cant even thinks saddle pain let alone a sore
There's just no room for error,
I wish Steve all the best of good luck for the rest of the year. To highlight some of the pitfalls Tommy had to suffer, the book UNSURPASSED is worth reading.
Steve, I am now getting that same feeling every day in your challenge. I wish you the best of luck, every day and stay safe.
Best wishes from NZ!
The record to beat is still in miles.So km's makes no sense.
Thanks
Tommy would have been so proud of you.
Barbara and Colin (Godwin)
Of Tommy Godwin. when someone pops up and has go
at breaking the record.
The best of luck with your attempt.
As from day one we are behind you Steven......Keep peddling !
Tommys family
Just for the record Tommy was not riding a Raleigh bike until May in 1939 and he was using only a 3 speed hub gear until the end of March.
All the best to Steve great effort so far.
Tommys extremely proud family
Met Office Weather 1939-1940 average conditions for the day were
Minus 2 degs gale force winds hail rain and thunder.
Minus 6 overnight with sharp frost.
You're doing well Steven !!
Tommys family
Average weather (Met Office 1939-1940) 1 degree
Strong to gale force winds rain and sleet early afternoon.
Well done Steve !!
Tommys family
Met Office average weather report for that day was 2degs, fog early am, wintry showers frost overnight.
Well done Steve !!!
Tommys family
Good luck Steve keep going !
Tommys family
Phil
Website could do with a progress chart of sorts plotting Steve's daily miles alongside Tommy's curve??
Try Dave Barters website dave@phased.co.uk he publishes Steves daily mileage alongside Tommy Godwins daily mileage for comparison.
Regards Barbara (Tommy Godwins daughter)
Any reason I can no longer see the current daily mileage total on the tracker any more?
Thanks
Ali
Regards,
Ian
Whatever, I'm away out to do a quick sympathy for Steve 30 miles:-)
Barbara Ford and Colin Godwin
Tommys daughter and son
But we wish you the very best of luck Barbara Ford and Colin Godwin .......Tommys son and daughter.