Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Ultra endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont is on a mission to shine a light on the story of Tommy Godwin and his 1939 cycling world record.
In 1939, driven by a desire for fame and fortune, English amateur Tommy Godwin cycled a world record 75,065 miles in one year. Setting out from home each day through bitter winters and the blackouts of World War Two, he became the fastest person to cycle 100,000 miles; completing the feat in just 500 days.
After this epic test of endurance, Tommy had to learn to walk again and uncurl his hands! The madcap record has only been attempted by a handful of determined souls and Tommy’s record stood for 76 years making it one of the greatest, but also most overlooked of sporting achievements.
Mark delves deeper into Tommy’s story and finds out if he has the physical and mental stamina to take on Godwin’s record.
_Tommy Godwin: The Hardest Year_ is available to watch exclusively on GCN+ from Tuesday 9 May 2023.
Watch all of our documentaries on GCN+ 👉 http://gcn.eu/GCNFilms
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GCN+ is more of everything you’ve come to love from GCN but taken to the next level: more entertainment, more races, more inspiration, more access, more analysis, more science and more to watch with exclusive and original long-form films, documentaries and shows.
GCN+ is cycling like you’ve never seen it before.
#gcn #cycling
Ultra endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont is on a mission to shine a light on the story of Tommy Godwin and his 1939 cycling world record.
In 1939, driven by a desire for fame and fortune, English amateur Tommy Godwin cycled a world record 75,065 miles in one year. Setting out from home each day through bitter winters and the blackouts of World War Two, he became the fastest person to cycle 100,000 miles; completing the feat in just 500 days.
After this epic test of endurance, Tommy had to learn to walk again and uncurl his hands! The madcap record has only been attempted by a handful of determined souls and Tommy’s record stood for 76 years making it one of the greatest, but also most overlooked of sporting achievements.
Mark delves deeper into Tommy’s story and finds out if he has the physical and mental stamina to take on Godwin’s record.
_Tommy Godwin: The Hardest Year_ is available to watch exclusively on GCN+ from Tuesday 9 May 2023.
Watch all of our documentaries on GCN+ 👉 http://gcn.eu/GCNFilms
____________________
GCN+ is the home of the world’s most thrilling live bike races, highlights, exclusive shows and epic cycling documentaries that you can enjoy live + ad-free + on-demand + interactive + all-year round.
GCN+ is more of everything you’ve come to love from GCN but taken to the next level: more entertainment, more races, more inspiration, more access, more analysis, more science and more to watch with exclusive and original long-form films, documentaries and shows.
GCN+ is cycling like you’ve never seen it before.
#gcn #cycling
