Cyril Heppleston

Cyril Heppleston

Cyril Heppleston, (c. 1912) was an English cyclist from Bradford who broke the 100-mile, 200-mile, and 12-hour competition records in 1937, and was the only man to beat 250 miles in twelve hours in open competition. He was regarded as 'among the greatest English unpaced time-trial riders.

Heppleston won the Best All-rounder Competition for 1937 with the record average speed of 22.348 miles per hour.

His achievements were further celebrated in 1938 when Cycling Weekly awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling.

Personal life

Heppleston was born in Bradford circa 1912, a worked as an electrical engineer.

Career

At the age of 19 years (c.1929) Heppleston joined the 'Bradford Victoria C.C' and the following year he moved to the 'Yorkshire Road Club'.

In 1934 that he won his first open event and finished 55th in the 'Best All-rounder' Competition. In 1935 he achieved 23rd place. In 1936 he was the only man to exceed 250 miles in twelve hours in open competition on the road.

In 1937 Heppleston broke the 100-mile, 200-mile, and 12-hour competition records and was again the only man to exceed 250 miles in twelve hours in open competition on the road. He won the Best All-rounder Competition with the record average speed of 22.348 miles per hour, his individual times and distances were: 50 miles, 2 hours 7 minutes 29 seconds; 100 miles, 4 hours 26 minutes 9 seconds, and 12 hours - 251⅝ miles.

Heppleston's world record '24 hours' ride of 478½ miles survived until Hubert Opperman exceeded it in Melbourne on 5 December 1939.

The Golden Book

Cyril Heppleston's achievements were celebrated in 1937 when Cycling Weekly awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling, which is now held in 'The Pedal Club' archive.

References

Background sources

• Norwood Paragon History of 1937

External links

• Canberra Times, August 16th, 1939. Record breaking English Cyclists. Image of Cyril Heppleston.

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