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Beryl: In Search of Britain’s Greatest Athlete at Otley Courthouse

July 8, 2022 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

8th July 2022

Start time: 7.30pm

Ticket price: £6

 

The remarkable life of champion cyclist Beryl Burton, one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Join author and journalist Jeremy Wilson in conversation with Beryl’s daughter, Denise, for the launch of his brand new book, ‘Beryl: In Search of Britain’s Greatest Athlete’. The evening will be compered by John Armistead – the father of Team GB cyclist Lizzie Deignan!

Cyclist Beryl Burton was practically invincible in time trials, finishing as Best All-Rounder for 25 consecutive years and setting a world record in 1967 for the distance covered in 12 hours that beat the men. She won multiple world titles, even when the distances didn’t play to her strengths. But her achievements were limited by discrimination from the cycling authorities, and by her strictly amateur status against state-sponsored rivals from Eastern Bloc nations.

Yet she carried on winning, beating men and – infamously – competing against her own daughter, while working on a farm and running a household. Her motivation, sparked by appalling childhood illness, is as fascinating as her achievements are stunning.

With access to previously unseen correspondence and photographs, and through extensive interviews with family, friends, rivals and fellow giants from across sport, acclaimed journalist Jeremy Wilson peels back the layers to reveal one of the most complex, enigmatic and compelling characters in cycling history. For the first time, he also provides the jaw-dropping answer to how fast she would still be on modern cycling technology.

To book tickets visit www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, call our box office on 01943 467466 or pop into the Courthouse on Courthouse Street, Otley, LS21 3AN

Details

Date:
July 8, 2022
Time:
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
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