Your Favourite Cyclist

[colly]

let's not get carried away on the strength of one ride.

I think we have been here before. Hardly on the strength of ONE ride:

12 Hour Record Holder: in 1959, Beryl covered 250.37 miles in a Twelve Hour Time Trial... That was astonishing, especially considering the road surfaces and the the equipment she was using; it was also remarkably close to the men's record. It was in 1967 that she took the big leap she knew she could do... She set off two minutes behind the men's national champion, catching him around the ten hour mark: she offered him some liquorice and went on to cover 277.25 miles/ 443.6 km in the twelve hours... beating the men's existing record by over 5.75 miles/9km.

World Pursuit Champion in 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963 and 1966 (silver in 1961, 1964 and 1968, bronze in 1967, 1970 and 1973)

World Road Champion in 1960 and 1967 (silver in 1961)

National Road Champion in 1959, 1960, 1963, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974

National Pursuit Champion in 1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974

National 25 Champion in 1958, 59, 60, 61, 62, 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77

National 50 Champion in 1958, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77

National 100 Champion in 1958, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75

British Best All Rounder in every year from 1959 to 1977 (19 victories)

I'm sure it will be pointed out that womens cycling wasn't the sport it is now etc etc and so on and so on but the fact is you can only beat those in front of you and she did that hands down.

Her records and achievements are international in their scope.

 

[Aravis]

View attachment 434249

Ah, yes. Joey McLoughlin. Good call.

I wouldn't say he was a favourite of mine at the time, but he sure was exciting. And the stage on the 1987 Kelloggs Tour - 171 miles over Fleet Moss et al, finishing in near darkness in Manchester is one of my all-time favourites. Because I'd watched it on television I knew exactly what was coming on Fleet Moss a couple of years later, and made it to the top with full panniers. Couldn't do it now.

He had knee problems, caused IIRC by a tumour, which meant his career was short. A shame - I'd've loved to have seen him in the Tour.

 

[GravityFighter]

Beryl Burton

Correct answer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_Burton

 

[rugby bloke]

In terms of track cycling, either of these gentlemen, but I would tend towards Jason Kenney. His ability to go from bloke next door to Superman is incredible.

 

[Aravis]

Today I was remembering a Dutch speed skater called Harm Kuipers, who appeared on European Superstars in the mid-1970s. He seemed a thoroughly nice chap as well as an excellent cyclist. The cycling was usually a track sprint event, either in a velodrome or (gulp) on a cinder athletics track - remember Kevin Keegan! Anyway, Mr Kuipers (not to be confused with a prominent pro cyclist of the time with a similar name) used to remove all chance by riding at full speed from the start and winning very easily.

Having looked him up on Wikipedia, he does indeed seem like a good egg, and was also a "successful amateur bicycle racer" between 1971 and 1976. He could well be my new favourite.

Continental professional cyclists used to appear on Superstars quite often, and were notably unsuccessful. It would be interesting to know who they were, and even better find some video, but I've yet to locate anything.

 

[Smokin Joe]

T

Continental professional cyclists used to appear on Superstars quite often, and were notably unsuccessful. It would be interesting to know who they were, and even better find some video, but I've yet to locate anything.

Dutch TdF winner Joop Zotemelk was described by presenter David Vine as the worst competitor they ever had on the program. He was totally uncoordinated and finished last or nearly last in everything.

 

[Drago]

Another unlikely cycling hero.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eH7EyPs_Va8&t=105s

 

[confusedcyclist]

I wish she was! Shes a uk tv celebrity whom I have a teensy weensy crush on.

That 'adds' up.