A blue plaque honoring cycling trailblazer Eileen Sheridan will be unveiled today at Coventry’s Butts Park Arena. Sheridan, who passed away last year at the age of 99, is celebrated for her significant contributions to the sport.
Competing with the Coventry Cycling Club, Sheridan was recognized by British Cycling as an inspiration to future generations of cyclists. Throughout her career, she broke 21 records, many of which remain unchallenged to this day.
Nicknamed the “Mighty Atom” due to her height of 4 feet 11 inches (1.49 meters), Sheridan joined the Coventry Cycling Club in 1944 and began racing the following year. She quickly achieved success at the national time-trial championships. After giving birth in 1946, she took a brief hiatus from the sport but returned just seven weeks later, competing in both 50-mile and 100-mile time trials. She eventually became the national champion in these categories.
In 1954, Sheridan set the women’s record for the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats route, completing the first 470 miles to Carlisle without a break. British Cycling noted that she “blazed a trail for countless female riders before women were even allowed to compete on the Olympic or world stage.”
Related topics:
- The Rise of Pro Cycling Freelancers: American Riders Shift Focus to Gravel Racing
- Archibald Shines in Gold Comeback at Cycling World Championships
- Tadej Pogacar Clinches World Road Race Championship, Completes Triple Crown