Personal Best: The Autobiography of Beryl Burton

by Beryl Burton (Artist), Colin Kirby

Autobiography of Beryl Burton, a cycling phenomenon.

182 pages, Hardcover

First published December 10, 2008

About the author

Beryl Burton, OBE was an English racing cyclist and one of Britain's greatest ever athletes. She dominated women’s cycle racing in the UK, winning more than 90 domestic championships and seven world titles, and setting numerous national records. She set a women's record for the 12-hour time-trial which exceeded the men's record for two years.

Reviews

[Gráinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. Despite being a cycling fan, I had never heard of Beryl Burton and from the stories recounted in this autobiography I really should have. The cycling world lauds known cheaters on a regular basis, but no real feting of this woman’s achievements slightly beggars beliefs.

This book is basically a blow by blow recounting of ever race she ever took part in, and despite the book being filled with timings and straight facts (rather than more of a contextual or personal retelling) it actually works! I want to find out more about what happened after 1985.

Interesting read, even if some more personal details are not included.

[Derrick Nedzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story, she started bike racing as a teenager, after she was told by doctors not to ride a bike at all because of health concerns. She rode as am amateur (basically just means she wasn’t paid, she competed regularly with professional women and men). She competed well into her mid-40’s, she chocked up 25 annual best all around rider trophies, road racing and tract trophies and regularly won in mixed fields of men and women riders. She deceivers herself as a regular Yorkshire Lass - good on ya Beryl! A great read!

[Diana Farrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really really wanted to love this book because Beryl Burton was just amazing. Her story is brilliant, but the book is just so hard to read

[Chocky · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is fairly repetitive in its yearly/chapterly cycle of domestic competitions and world championships. But Beryl Burton was undoubtedly an amazing sportswoman arguably the best this country ever produced. This book allows the reader understand her brilliance and makes you question why she is not a household name. There are some amazing stories in here and you do get a great feel for her unerring character.

[ChristinaJL · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to admit, all I know about Beryl Burton is that she was good at TTs in the 60s and won the world champs. This was a bit dry, mostly an account of races, times and I won this etc.