Hello all,
I remember staying up late at night with my ear pressed to the speaker of my shortwave radio, listening to a BBC broadcast, and hoping to hear an account of some race Beryl Burton participated in. She was a mystery to me, but inspiring. She helped me develop my love of the bicycle, especially English bicycles. Its only in recent years that I have read articles about her. Beryl never ceased to amaze me. I am very grateful to have been able to follow her life.
Jim Salzlein
Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey
>From: "Roy H. Drinkwater"
>To: classic list
>Subject: [CR]Talking about Beryl Burton...Crosspost from Fixed Gear list
>Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2002 16:33:20 -0400
>
> This was a posting from "Chris Chapman"
>
when someone mentioned Beryl Burton on
>the Fixed Gear list.
>
>Original Message:
>
>>Around 1968 (which sometimes seems like only yesterday to me) I
>>came across
>>an 'ABC' by Beryl Burton which went as follows -
>>
>>A is for ACTIVITIES of which cycling is the best - what other hobby
>>has such
>>a diversity of interests? Be it touring, club runs, camping,
>>hostelling,
>>time trialing, road or track racing - the bicycle caters for all.
>>
>>B is for BEARINGS which must be kept adjusted, clean and lubricated
>>- light
>>oil for wheels and pedals - light grease for bottom bracket and
>>headset.
>>
>>C is for CYCLIST - be one and not just "an athlete on wheels" -
>>it's more
>>fun.
>>
>>D is for DOPE - the biggest one is the rider who uses it
>>
>>E is for EQUIPMENT - choose the type most suited to your needs and
>>pocket -
>>look after it - check it weekly.
>>
>>F is for FITNESS for which you must train - each one according to
>>his/her
>>need - for me this is riding a bicycle 40/50 miles each evening
>>Monday to
>>Thursday, 40 miles on Saturday and 80/100 miles plus a race on
>>Sunday - all
>>training done on 70" gear at about 18-20 m.p.h.
>>
>>G is for GEARS - clean and lubricate weekly - check that wire and
>>keep these
>>jockey wheels adjusted, it's too late in the middle of an event.
>>
>>H is for HYGEINE - both dental and personal are important to a
>>healthy body.
>>
>>I is for IMMERSION in water, a thing I never do during the racing
>>season.-
>>try a shower or rub down instead- Eau-de-Cologne is marvellous.
>>
>>J is for JOY - the feeling one gets when fit and riding the
>>bicycle.
>>
>>K is for KEEN and efficient brakes - check those inner wires and
>>blocks -
>>your life could depend on them.
>>
>>L is for LIGHTS - see and be seen - I always use a dynamo in
>>winter.
>>
>>M is for MUDGUARDS - except for racing. I can see no excuse for
>>subjecting
>>your body and bicycle bearings to wheel spray.
>>
>>N is for NUTRITION - intelligent eating rather than dieting is my
>>recipe -
>>grilled meat, salads, fresh and dried fruit, cheese and honey, all
>>help to
>>form a good nucleus.
>>
>>O is for OIL - a must for every free running machine - don't forget
>>the
>>chain.
>>
>>P is for position on the bicycle - comfort is my first essential
>>and works
>>out for me approximately as follows:
>>Frame size = 8" less than inside leg measurement
>>Saddle height = inside leg measurement + 7%
>>Reach from saddle centre to front of handlebar throw = inside arm
>>measurement to fingertips plus 7%
>>Saddle nose is 1.5" behind bottom bracket spindle
>>toe clip length allows for ball of foot to be a fraction forward of
>>of pedal
>>spindle.
>>Handlebars are 1" lower than saddle
>>
>>Q is for QUERIES - ask the experienced riders' views then adapt to
>>your own
>>requirements
>>
>>R is for ROLLERS which help you to beat the fog, smog, and ice of
>>winter
>>evenings- I ride the gear bike on a 70" gear.
>>
>>S is for SHOES, SOCKS, and SHORTS which should be close fitting,
>>clean,
>>comfortable and of good quality.
>>
>>T is for TYRES - choose the type most suited to your needs and look
>>after
>>them - ensure are well stuck on - check weekly for flints and cuts
>>- keep
>>inflated: hard for riding, and lightly for storage.
>>
>>U is for the UNSUNG praises of cycling - let everyone know that you
>>are a
>>cyclist and proud of it.
>>
>>V is for VICTORY - which should be the aim of every sporting
>>cyclist - work
>>for it, it doesn't come easily.
>>
>>W is for WILLPOWER - keeps you going when hurting - cultivate it.
>>
>>X is for eXtra care you must take in your appearance and behaviour
>>when on a
>>bicycle
>>
>>Y is for YOUNGSTERS - encourage them to take up cycling.
>>
>>Zzz is for the sleep you require if all this isn't going to be
>>wasted
>>effort.
>>----------------------oooooooo-----------------------
>>
>>I think this gives a fair idea of the character of BB. I think if
>>she met a
>>wimp while out on the road she would give some words of
>>encouragement and a
>>smile, rather than seeking to aggrandize herself by belittling
>>them.
>>
>>fourty
>
>
> I find it pretty interesting, others?
>
>Roy H. Drinkwater
>Lititz, PA
>
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