Radio 4 Extra programme, broadcast again today at 11:15 and 21:15. Well worth a listen.

As an ill child, Beryl Burton was told never to exercise. And then she met a young cyclist called Charlie: “The first year I pushed her, the second year I rode with her, and the third year she was at the head of the bunch”.

Maxine Peake writes and stars in this true love story of Beryl Burton, a working class mum from Morley in Leeds who, with no financial backing or training, combined farm work with global domination in all areas of cycling competition from the 1950s to 1970s.

Drama is intertwined with contributions from Charlie Burton, now in his 80s, and their cycling champion daughter, Denise Burton Cole. Their perspective provides an intimate, funny and moving portrayal of Beryl, recorded on bikes in various locations around Saddleworth and in Harrogate.

Enjoy!

Saw the play last year, highly recommended and a proper lump in the throat moment.

IMO the greatest GB cyclist ever!!

IMO the greatest GB cyclist ever!!

This.

The most amazing thing is that, back in the 50s, “an ordinary housewife and mother” got to spend so much time in the saddle. Her family and friends must have been pretty exceptional too.
(Yes, a little bump for the evening repeat 😉 )

Top stuff.

Saw this live at our local (and very small) arts centre. Absolutely superb and you do indeed come firmly of the view that she was the greatest GB cyclist ever. Died tragically young too.