Eileen Sheridan (cyclist)

Constance Eileen Sheridan (née Shaw, 18 October 1923 – 12 February 2023) was an English cyclist who specialized in time trialing and road record-breaking.

She was awarded the Bidlake Memorial Prize in 1950 "for creating a new high standard in women's cycle racing with an outstanding series of three championships and five record performances on the road in 1950.

She rode the first 470 miles (756 km) to Carlisle without a break, stopping to attach lights and change into wet weather clothing when it started to rain.

After reaching John O'Groats, Sheridan had a break for less than two hours, and then continued riding, as Hercules wanted her to set a new 1,000-mile (1609 km) record as well.

[10] Cycling historian Ramin Minovi said: "Hercules supplied the most bizarre support vehicle ever seen until the Mad Max movies.

Her hands were blistered because there was no padding on the bars, just a winding of rough tape, and she kept going on blackcurrant juice, soup, sugar and chicken legs.

"[7] The bicycle she used is on display in Coventry Transport Museum,[7] along with papers, other equipment, trophies and medals relating to Sheridan's career.

In 1952 she was featured in a documentary film made by Dunlop called Spinning Wheels: Cycle Sport '50s Style.

The film also featured Reg Harris, Ken Joy and Cyril Peacock as well as scenes from the Tour de France.

[2][12] Sheridan has been commemorated by a steel sculpture installed on the Lias Line greenway in Warwickshire as part of The Portrait Benches project in recognition of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year.

[13] On 21 October 2024 a blue plaque was unveiled at Butts Park Arena in Coventry commemorating Sheridan's first race win.

[15] The cycling historian Bernard Thompson wrote: Adolphe Abrahams, considered to be the founder of British sports medicine, described Sheridan as "a human machine of the highest grade capable of superlative performance".