CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Edith Atkins

(16 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by kaputnik
  • Latest reply from Charterhall

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  1. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I was researching Edinburgh to London cycle routes and accidentally stumbled across a cyclist called Edith Atkins (1920-1999). I'd never heard of her until now. She wasn't quite Beryl Burton, but she has countless British TT and long distance records (Lands End to London, Holyhead to London, Lands End to JOG, London to York, London to Edinburgh) to her name.

    She cycled her whole life, competing in 40 races in her 76th year, but was tragically killed age 79 pushing her bike across a pedestrian crossing in Coventry.

    On July 19th 1953, she cycled Edinburgh to Glasgow and back again (an 88 mile route) in 4h 38m 56s. That's an average of 18.9 miles an hour. Oh and that was 6 days after setting a 24 hour TT record...

    I'm just thinking that July 19th next year would be the 60th anniversary of that ride, and Glasgow and back is "only" 88 miles away.

    Anyone in?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. chdot
    Admin

    "Her first bicycle was one won by her mother in a whist drive."

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Atkins

    My grandfather played a lot of whist. Don't think he ever won a bike, but he kept his household in towels and things!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. crowriver
    Member

    Edith Atkins Memorial Ride? Surely should be led by female cyclists?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. gembo
    Member

    Why are you always on about women Stan?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. crowriver
    Member

    Suit yourselves, if you want to do an all male memorial ride to a female cyclist that's fine.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Roibeard
    Member

    I'm sure there's no need to make it all male, although I can't help make it less male...

    Having given this some thought, and fully conscious that my maximum distance is only 100 km (62.5 miles), I'm going to say that I'm in, if you'll have me!

    Do bear in mind that I'm likely to slow the whole endeavour down to substantially less than Edith's time...

    I'm pretty certain I can manage doing it in under 8 hours saddle time, but that has yet to be tested!

    Robert

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. DaveC
    Member

    Aye I'll pop a reminder in my calender, add me to the tally.

    Dave C

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Snowy
    Member

    I probably couldn't justify the Friday but if it were at the weekend, I'd definitely be up for it.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @crowriver for the record, I wasn't proposing this because Edith Atkins was a woman, per se, but because she was a talented amateur rider who set a number of records, one of which just happened to be an Edinburgh to Glasgow record, thereby making it somewhat relevant to our parish. If she had been born Eddie Atkins instead I still would have made the suggestion. I wasn't aware that there were gender issues requiring any recognition of achievement of a female cyclists to be proposed by another female.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. DaveC
    Member

    Do we have to wear Fake Blackadder-esk b**bs and a dress? :<O

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. crowriver
    Member

    Whoa. I must have missed this whole discussion in my slumber.

    I merely asked the question. To be met with a retort in the form of a quote from "The Life Of Brian" which was presumably intended to mock sarcastically.

    I think it is great that you have unearthed the story of Atkins the pioneering cyclist. If it had been me (which it wasn't) I would have been more aware of the potential gender politics of the situation where a memorial/tribute ride is proposed. Which I suppose is why I asked the question.

    It would be fine if the only folk who go on the ride have a Y chromosome (or profess male gender at least) but also a bit sad, I think.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. gembo
    Member

    I put in the life of Brian quote. I was not intending to mock or be sarcastic. Am truly sorry if this is the outcome.

    I am keen on both genders and keen that as many folk as possible cycle and would happily go on this ride whoever was leading it. I have a great affection for routes twixt Glasgow and Edinburgh. My first intro to longer distance cycling was to open the door of our flat in maryhill road in 1985 to meet the painter James Lumsden. he had very red face. weather was fowl. What you been up to lummy we asked. cycling from edinburgh. We though him crazy man

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. Roibeard
    Member

    Given that I've not organised myself for this, I'm guessing that I won't be fit to participate - I'm less confident of being capable of 88 miles in a day...

    Still, the days are indeed long this time of year!

    Is it still just DaveC, kaputnik and myself?

    Robert

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    I'm working that day unfortunately. I've still got some unfinished business with a certain Englandshire ride. My wife now has considerable concerns about what might happen to me if I was to fall off in the middle of nowhere on my own.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  15. amir
    Member

    Sorry!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  16. Charterhall
    Member

    I remember her son, John. He was a noted cross rider and had a shop in Coventry, I bought my first cross bike from him back in the early 80's.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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