Individual results

This R.O. Harrison bicycle was owned by Edie Atkins, one of Britain’s most successful cyclists. It was made in Peckham, South London and assembled especially for her by Tom Bromwich of Coventry (Far Gosford Street), who was an agent for Harrison Cycles. On this bicycle Edie achieved many of her remarkable distance records. During a period of five years from 1952 and 1957 she set 12 different long distance cycling records.

Edie lived in Coventry most of her life. She never became a professional cyclist but chose to stay as an amateur, breaking records and looking after a home and family. Her husband Ron was dedicated to Edie’s record breaking and was instrumental in organising many of her attempts.

Edie’s list of records is very long. Here are just a few-

London to York - 13hr 31min May 1953
Land’s End to John O’ Groats - 2 Days 18hr July 1953
24 Hours - 422 miles July 1953
Holyhead to London - 15hr 13min Sept 1953
Edinburgh to York - 11hr 40min Oct 1957