In the early 1950’s, C.R. Woodard published, “Scientific Training for Cycling”.  The book as a whole is fascinating.  What interested me in particular was the fifth chapter, Women in Cycling.

In this chapter, Woodard proposes that Cycling is a sport that encourages participation by women, but there is still a lot of prejudice against women taking part in strenuous exercise of any sort.  I know of no physiological reason why they should not do so, but I will admit that at present the general standard of fitness amongst women cyclists is much lower than that of men.

C.R. Woodard’s notion that having an understanding of the scientific methods of training and possessing a solid state of fitness is applied with vigor throughout the chapter covering competitive women cyclists.

At the time of the first publication, Woodard believed that women cyclists fell short of their male counterparts in competition due to the fact that, “at present most women have no serious idea how vigorous training should be”, and “if they had trained properly and been aware of what makes real fitness…” — Woodard felt that women could best the men in the sport of cycling.

“There is always an exception”, Woodard wrote, “and as I write this I am thinking of the almost supreme state of fitness that Eileen Sheridan attained”.

Eileen Sheridan, an english cyclist who began her career in the late 30’s, specialized in breaking world records in time trials and distance road records.

A national champion by 1945, Sheridan also won the British Best All-Rounder time trials in ‘49 and ‘50.  Her career is marked with victories and in 1951, sponsored by Hercules Cycle and Motor Company, Eileen Sheridan was unmatched in distance riding.

For three years she broke all records, sanctioned by the Road Records Association — most notable is her Land’s End to John O’ Groats run in 1954.  A blistering 2 days, 11 hours and 7-minutes.

“I believe that when women start training themselves for cycling as seriously as men do, there will be very little difference in the performances between male and female, and I believe one of the most important factors of all is the matter of appreciating what real fitness means.” -C.R. Woodard, Scientific Training for Cycling, 1951.

Beryl Burton, the greatest womens cyclist of all time.