Beryl Burton's 1962 Bike Badge

[Breezin]

I wonder if the Raleigh road bike is the one she rode the Grand Prix de Nations TT course on? She amazed the local French officials by being a lot faster than they expected a mere female to go and (I think) weren't really ready for her at the finish line.

BTW, I had one of those Viking red and white track frames in the late 60's. I rode it in TT's and on the track.

I may see Denise in a few weeks and (if I remember!) can ask her about the bike. My opinion is that it may be a Carlton?

I believe Beryl's GP de Nations bike was a blue Anquetil road bike (as in pics below), perhaps the same bike she used in her 277-mile 12-hour to beat National champ Mike McNamara in 1967. At GPdN, Yes, they had her do an extra lap around the Cipale, as Beryl caught them unawares at 42kph. Even at a record-setting pace, Gimondi had only gained 6 minutes on Beryl in the 46-mile race (the pros started some 12 minutes behind).

Please ask Denise about her mother's 1963 World's pursuit Viking, if she has a photo of that ride.
We display one of Beryl's Vikings at our museum. It is very similar (if not the very bike) in that 1964 Herne Hill photo I sent a little earlier.

--Joe Breeze, curator at Marin Museum of Bicycling, Fairfax, California.

 

[vcballbat]

Thought this may be of interest, as mentioned earlier Beryl's later frames were built by Raleigh's Specialist Bicycle Development Unit. This is from Gerald O'Donovan's record of frame geometry specifications...

 

[Old Ned]

Fantastic picture.

Forgot to say it was taken by Bob Prince who was a regular photographer in the area at the time. He rarely took a poor shot.

 

[Breezin]

Thought this may be of interest, as mentioned earlier Beryl's later frames were built by Raleigh's Specialist Bicycle Development Unit. This is from Gerald O'Donovan's record of frame geometry specifications...

View attachment 837088

Thanks for the skinny on this. Great detail for Beryl's Pursuit and Road frames. Looks like Beryl had long femurs, a good cyclist trait. Interesting the 1/4-degree finessing of seat tube angle. For a little more tire clearance I guess. Essentially 50cm frames, center to top.

What is the source for this Gerald O'Donovan record? And for what year?

 

[Nob]

 

[Nob]

 

[Nob]

 

[vcballbat]

Yes, fantastic shot, Ned. Thanks for sharing. Ya just need about 10 more teeth in that front ring (and slide your right hand up the bars)!

Nervex Pro frilly lugs like on Dave Marsh's example. I'm attaching a shot of Beryl at Herne Hill in June 1964, during the Milk Race stage festivities. Looks like her 1963 Worlds jersey (tall collar, white sleeve finial). She's on a Viking, but with Prugnat 62S lugs (with scroll cuts).

--Joe

This the one...

 

[chickendrumsticks]

This the one...

View attachment 837599View attachment 837600View attachment 837601

Your pics from ebay?

1963 53 cm Viking Track bike Beryl Burton | eBay

So she sold her two Viking bikes, this is one of those. This bike has not been changed, updated or painted, well almost, bar tape and tires have been changed. As you can see this one matches the bike in the photo.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[vcballbat]

Your pics from ebay?

1963 53 cm Viking Track bike Beryl Burton | eBay

So she sold her two Viking bikes, this is one of those. This bike has not been changed, updated or painted, well almost, bar tape and tires have been changed. As you can see this one matches the bike in the photo.

www.ebay.co.uk

Looks very similar, top dollar on eBay but a bike owned by one of the Worlds greatest cyclist definitely worth it..