Harry Earnshaw
Encyclopedia
Harold Earnshaw, Harry Shake Earnshaw, (c. 1916) was an English racing cyclist from Yorkshire
. In 1938 he was acclaimed as the British Best All-Rounder
when his three best event performances were aggregated into 399 miles at 22.627 mph.
His achievements were celebrated in 1939 when Cycling Weekly
awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling
, which is now held in 'The Pedal Club' archive.
and was a natural athlete and cyclist. He worked as a coal-miner from school-leaving age (c.1930) until 1938.
In 1936 the 'Monckton Cycling Club', sponsored by Carlton Cycles of Worksop
, won the team section of the British Best All-Rounder
and Earnshaw was fifth in the individual listing.
In the 1937 British Best All-Rounder, Earnshaw improved to third overall whilst Monckton C.C. again won the team prize. He also won the 'Sheffield Phoenix 25 mile Time Trial in 1 hour, 1 minute 46 seconds.
In 1938 Earnshaw won the British Best All-Rounder
with the record average speed of 22.627 mph. This was reward for his victory in the Westerley 100-mile competition in a record time of 4 hours 20 minutes 48 seconds, plus two seasons best performances of 50-miles in 2 hours 4 minutes 21 seconds and 249 miles in 12 hours.
awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling
.
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. In 1938 he was acclaimed as the British Best All-Rounder
British Best All-Rounder
The British Best All-Rounder competition, organised by Cycling Time Trials, is an annual British cycle-racing competition. It ranks riders by their average speeds in individual time trials, over 50 and and 12 hours for men, and over 25, 50 and for women. There are similar competitions for...
when his three best event performances were aggregated into 399 miles at 22.627 mph.
His achievements were celebrated in 1939 when Cycling Weekly
Cycling Weekly
Cycling Weekly is a British cycling magazine. It is published by IPC Media and is devoted to the sport and past-time of cycling. It is affectionately referred to by British club cyclists as "The Comic".-History:...
awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling
Golden Book of Cycling
The Golden Book of Cycling was created in 1932 by Cycling, a British cycling magazine,to celebrate "the Sport and Pastime of Cycling by recording the outstanding rides, deeds and accomplishments of cyclists, officials and administrators." There exists only a single copy of this compendium of...
, which is now held in 'The Pedal Club' archive.
Personal life
Harry Earnshaw lived in Royston, South YorkshireRoyston, South Yorkshire
Royston is a suburban village within the Metropolitan borough of Barnsley, in South Yorkshire, England. Historically it was in the West Riding of Yorkshire, but was incorporated in to the Metropolitan borough of Barnsley in 1974 and is now on the border with West Yorkshire...
and was a natural athlete and cyclist. He worked as a coal-miner from school-leaving age (c.1930) until 1938.
Career
Earnshaw started road racing in 1935 when he was 18 years old, winning his first event, 25-miles in 1 hour 18 minutes despite several delays, a fall and mechanical damage. He was renowned as a tough, resilient, uncomplaining rider, coping with mechanical and physical set-backs.In 1936 the 'Monckton Cycling Club', sponsored by Carlton Cycles of Worksop
Worksop
Worksop is the largest town in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England on the River Ryton at the northern edge of Sherwood Forest. It is about east-south-east of the City of Sheffield and its population is estimated to be 39,800...
, won the team section of the British Best All-Rounder
British Best All-Rounder
The British Best All-Rounder competition, organised by Cycling Time Trials, is an annual British cycle-racing competition. It ranks riders by their average speeds in individual time trials, over 50 and and 12 hours for men, and over 25, 50 and for women. There are similar competitions for...
and Earnshaw was fifth in the individual listing.
In the 1937 British Best All-Rounder, Earnshaw improved to third overall whilst Monckton C.C. again won the team prize. He also won the 'Sheffield Phoenix 25 mile Time Trial in 1 hour, 1 minute 46 seconds.
In 1938 Earnshaw won the British Best All-Rounder
British Best All-Rounder
The British Best All-Rounder competition, organised by Cycling Time Trials, is an annual British cycle-racing competition. It ranks riders by their average speeds in individual time trials, over 50 and and 12 hours for men, and over 25, 50 and for women. There are similar competitions for...
with the record average speed of 22.627 mph. This was reward for his victory in the Westerley 100-mile competition in a record time of 4 hours 20 minutes 48 seconds, plus two seasons best performances of 50-miles in 2 hours 4 minutes 21 seconds and 249 miles in 12 hours.
The Golden Book
Harry Earnshaw's achievements were celebrated in 1938 when Cycling WeeklyCycling Weekly
Cycling Weekly is a British cycling magazine. It is published by IPC Media and is devoted to the sport and past-time of cycling. It is affectionately referred to by British club cyclists as "The Comic".-History:...
awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling
Golden Book of Cycling
The Golden Book of Cycling was created in 1932 by Cycling, a British cycling magazine,to celebrate "the Sport and Pastime of Cycling by recording the outstanding rides, deeds and accomplishments of cyclists, officials and administrators." There exists only a single copy of this compendium of...
.