She is the greatest cyclist Britain has ever produced, perhaps even the greatest athlete – yet few have heard of her name. 

Beryl Burton dominated women’s cycling for more than 20 years, winning championships and setting world records.

She claimed seven world titles, 96 national titles and was the best British all-rounder for 25 consecutive years.

One record, set almost 50 years ago still stands today. The women’s 12-hour
record was set in 1967, at the UK National Time Trial, when the 30-year-old rode 277.25 miles in 12 hours along roads and country lanes of Yorkshire, averaging 23mph.

Even more remarkable is the fact that the housewife from Morley, near Leeds, beat the men’s world record that day. It took a man another two years to better her mark.

She was denied the opportunity to crown her career with an Olympic medal as women’s cycling was only admitted into the Games in 1984, by which time Burton was 47.

Despite all her wins and records, Beryl’s life and her achievements have never been given the national recognition they deserve. Until now.

Acclaimed actress Maxine Peake, star of The Village and Silk was given Beryl’s autobiography Personal Best and was so amazed at the story that she wrote a radio play about her.

“If she was a man, everybody would know about her,” Peake has said.

The actress wrote a Radio 4 play, Beryl, which was later transferred to the stage and shown during the Tour de France celebrations in Leeds last summer. It comes to Carlisle next month.

For champion cyclist Carol Westmorland, Beryl’s story means more than most. Carol has chalked up several notable national records and honours.

In 2004 she was the 12-hour time trial ladies national champion covering 243.19 miles; in 2006 she was crowned 24 hour ladies national champion with a distance of 445.40 miles in that time and in 2007 she was the National Cycling Time Trials 100 Ladies Team Winner. She is currently Border City Wheelers’ Ladies Club Champion.

When she started her competitive two wheel career, Carol competed against Beryl’s daughter Denise. And she treasures a
vintage tracksuit once worn by Beryl. It was an unofficial prize from the editor of a cycling magazine when she won the 12-hour title. It fits perfectly, but it’s wool, a bit heavy and unwieldy, so Carol doesn’t wear it.

Besides, it’s a piece of history.

“I’ve no idea how old it is, but it fits me like a glove,” says Carol, of Cumrew, near Brampton. “I put it on once to check what size Beryl was and I was pleasantly surprised to see that she was the same as me. It’s definitely pre-lycra, it’s heavy and if it got wet it would be deeply unpleasant.”

Beryl’s achievements and her attitude to cycling continue to be an inspiration to Carol, who will be going to see the play – though not wearing the tracksuit.

She says: “She just loved cycling, she did the races she wanted to do.

“She had the support of her husband Charlie, but did not have any coaching or anyone telling her what to do.

“She did it because she loved cycling, which is the way it should be.

“She should inspire people to have a go and not worry about training regimes. You should not fear it, you should just have a go.”

Beryl , Old Fire Station, Carlisle, October 8. Tickets £12 plus booking fee.