Beryl Burton

Beryl Burton was born on May 12, 1937 (1316) in Leeds, England. Unfortunately, he suffered from many health problems as a child and spent a year and a half of his childhood in the hospital due to rheumatic fever.

Later in life, it was her husband Charlie who introduced her to the sweet and fascinating world of cycling. They married in 1955. Two years after their marriage, he won his first silver medal in 1957, which marked the beginning of his incredible cycling career. She was also a mother and homemaker and did gardening part-time.

For three decades, Beryl was at the top of the women’s list in England, Europe and the world, winning the championship award time and time again. She was the owner of the title of “the best female cyclist” for many years. Certainly, the world has not yet seen a woman with her cycling skills.

Surprisingly, Burton suffered from heart failure all his life and finally died of a heart attack in Yorkshire in May 1996 (1375) at the age of 59. His daughter Denise was also an accomplished cyclist and won a bronze medal in the 1975 World Individual Championships. Both were selected to compete in the 1972 World Championships. Dennis said that at the time of his death, he had lost his motivation and competitive spirit.

On November 27, 2012, a radio show about Beryl Burton aired. In this show, the wife and daughter of the hero were also interviewed. From this radio show, another show was prepared to be performed on stage at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in June and July 2014 to coincide with the start of the Tour do France in Leeds. The show was performed once again in 2015 at the same theater. After her death, to honor her years of suffering and efforts, a memorial garden was established in her house for the public to visit, so that the memory of this heroic woman will remain in the hearts forever.

Records:

10 miles (about 16 km): 21 minutes and 25 seconds (1973)
25 miles (about 40 km): 53 minutes and 21 seconds (1976)
30 miles (about 48 km): 1 hour 8 minutes 36 seconds (1981)
50 miles (about 80 km): 1 hour 51 minutes 30 seconds (1976)
100 miles (about 160 km): 3 hours 55 minutes 5 seconds (1986)
In 1959, Burton managed to ride about 250 miles (about 402 km) in 12 hours. He did this amazingly considering the equipment he had at the time and the condition of the roads. His record was very close to the men’s record. It was in 1967 that he was fully aware that it was time to make the big leap of his life. He was just two minutes behind the men’s international champion record. This time he pedaled about 277 miles (about 446 km) in 12 hours, beating the men’s record by 75.5 miles (9 km). Still no woman in the world has been able to break her record despite technological and scientific advances.

Honors:

She won the women’s race in England, won over 90 indoor championships, 7 world titles and numerous national records.
Gold medal: 1960 and 1967
Silver medal: 1961
In UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) and individual competitions:
Gold medal: 1959, 19960, 1962, 1963 and 1966
Silver medal: 1961, 19674 and 1968
Bronze medal: 1967 and 1971