“No exploration of female cycling in Northern Ireland would be complete without a look at Isabel Woods (née Clements)”. This was from a report by the BBC no less on 28 April 2019.
PROLIFIC RECORD HOLDER
They went on to say that she was described by ‘Cycling Ireland’ as “the most prolific record breaker in the history of road records in Ireland.” This nicely sets the context of an Antrim woman who at 93 still holds seven of the eight records she set in the 1950s.In the ‘50s Ireland only a small minority of households had a car, while over one third had access to a bicycle. And, in those days, bicycles were the normal method of transport to work for a large section of the population. Like so many others Isabel began cycling when she started working in the 1950’s. She bought her first bike aged 18 from a shop on Belfast’s York Street.
CYCLING HOLIDAYS
At that time cycling was also the only means for many people to travel and holiday. Isabel and her sister joined the Youth Hostel Association cycling from one hostel to another back then. They even would cycle as far away as Dublin on weekend trips. It was while on a return trip from France that friends persuaded her to take part in Place to Place cycling records. It wasn’t long before she had broken a cycling record – Enniskillen to Belfast covering 138 km (86 miles) in four hours two minutes.
ROAD RACING
For all of Isabel’s record attempts official timekeepers and observers would follow to ensure that rules were adhered to. She also had a support team with her including a driver and somebody available to provide drinks, food and change of clothing as required. During one cycling expedition Isabel and her team came upon road works. She had to ride through a rough loose stone surface for what seemed like miles. Her team members had to run alongside her in case she fell off. Isabel trained under the eye of Peter Woods, her finance who would work with her on her mileage and meals charts for the journeys. Isabel aimed at 300 cycling miles a week during training.
MERCIAN BICYCLES
Isabel’s main record breaking bike was a well known English cycling brand and racing bike maker Mercian. It was a popular choice of competitive, club and other serious long distance cyclists of the time. She also rode other brands popular with serious cyclists including the Claud Butler and the Nappleback. Mercian had to create a smaller customised frame for the diminutive Isabel standing 1.6 metres (5ft 3inches). Mercian bikes were also known to handle well in rougher conditions such as cyclocross and hill climbs. This was particularly important for Isabel for her long distance cycling as many Irish roads at the time would be generously described as rough!
SETTING RECORDS
Isabel’s most remarkable cycling record was nonstop to Fair Head in Co Antrim a 619 k (385 mile) journey from Mizen Head, Co. Cork in June 27, 1955. Accompanying her were two vans carrying equipment as well as officials and timekeepers. The ‘News Letter’ newspaper at the time stated that her epic cycle was completed “In the remarkable time of 23 hours 2 minutes and ten seconds – and had the distinction of being the first woman to complete the distance on a bicycle”. This was the only record she set that was broken 52 years later by Zimbabwean-born Rose Leith who set a new record in 2007.
In those simpler times without hi-tec gear or sustenance what did Isabel wear and eat. Well shorts and jerseys were made of wool. There was not a crash helmet in sight she didn’t even wear cotton cap which many cyclists wore. The biggest challenge was during rain when wet jersey and shorts could weigh up to an extra two kilos (four pounds). The main thing Isabel ate while cycling was brown bread sandwiches with raisins and honey as a filling. Her main drink was diluted honey and some times the dilute fruit drink Ribena. One might say that honey was the original energy food and drink!
COMPETITIVE CYCLING
Isabel did take part in some competitive cycling most famously Dun Laoghaire Cycling Week from the 1950s. Combined with her record breaking prowess she caught the attention of Ribena Cycling which sponsored cyclists at the time. They asked her to cycle professionally but she refused as she loved taking part with friends. In this context Isabel said “We had great club runs every Sunday. Lit a fire and drummed up, as we called it. Boiled our cans over the fire. That was the heart of cycling for me, the companionship.”
To recognise her cycling feats the Ulster Transport Museum has set up an exhibition showing off Isabel’s custom made Mercian bike. The exhibit also shows a list of her records.
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Sources of information
1. Bbc.com
2. Classiclightweights.co.uk
3. Lisburn.com
4. Merciancycles.co.uk
5. Thetimes.co.uk
6. Ulster Transport Museum, Cultra Facebook
7. Vccnisection.blogspot.com
