Going the Distance: The George Thomas Story

by George Thomas, Jeff Welsch, Steven C. Schachter

Going the Distance is the compelling saga of George Thomas' quest to prove himself physically and emotionally after a car accident left him with life-threatening epileptic seizures. The story is told vividly through Thomas' eyes as he pedals 2,911 miles in the bicycle Race Across America. As he battles stifling temperatures, grueling climbs, relentless headwinds, heavy rains, tedium and hallucinations from sleep deprivation, Thomas is repeatedly reminded of the even greater obstacles he once had to overcome simply to ride a bicycle again. Ultimately, Thomas discovers his journey is more than an individual accomplishment; it's a platform to inspire others. Going the Distance examines his extraordinary evolution from an ordinary man with an ordinary name to an accomplished ultra-athlete. George Thomas' story is both intriguing and inspiring -- a shining example of courage in the face of enormous odds.

169 pages, ebook

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Other authors with this name:

George Thomas (1909-1997)
George Thomas (1866- )

Reviews

[Barbara (The Bibliophage) · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Thomas pedaled his bicycle over 3000 miles with very little sleep and fewer showers to finish Race Across America (RAAM) in 1995. This book is the story of that race, but it's actually so much more. What you wouldn't guess is that George had suffered a horrible accident just eleven years before. He was struck by an allegedly drunk driver while standing in a friend's yard, and sustained injuries to much of his body including his head. Miraculously, he'd just put his motorcycle helmet on, which kept him from greater injury. But nonetheless the injuries to his head left him with epilepsy. And this is a guy who decided to embark on the grueling challenge of RAAM.

Thomas' book is written in a conversational style. It's simple and down-to-earth. It captures the trials and tribulations of an intensely difficult bicycle race. Take my word for it. I was a crew member for a 4-person relay team in 2008, and it's one of the hardest things I've ever accomplished. Thomas tells of crew conflicts, wind, rain, horrible pain and muscle fatigue. He also shares the highs of crossing the high passes in Colorado, with the dizzying descents.

Whether you're a casual or serious cyclist, or just like to cheer for an Everyman, Going The Distance is an inspiration!

[Jtomassetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

GOING THE DISTANCE, THE GEORGE THOMAS STORY is co-written by George Thomas and Jeff Welsch. I bought this book because all three reviews of it on Amazon gave the book 5 stars. However, I only give it 3 stars. The book is mostly about George riding the 1995 Race Across America (RAAM) as a rookie who lives with epilepsy. In 1995 RAAM covered 2911 mils fro Irvine, California to Savannah, Georgia. George finished the race in 10 days, 13 hours and 43 minutes.

I find RAAM itself to be very interesting. In 2010 it will start on Tuesday, June 8: for the Women and Wednesday June 9 for the Men. In recent years the race is always held in June. Each year you can follow the race day by day at the web site: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org

Although finishing the race is an amazing feat, George’s race was depressing with his crew arguing all the way across the country, George suffering on the bike and finally his wife missing the finish. The book is only 167 pages long with huge print. It probably would have been a good Readers Digest story rather than a book.