Winner of the RTTC Women’s Best All Rounder Competition in 1987.
Born on 25th January 1945 into a cycling family, being the niece of 1930’s Yorkshire star Eddie Larkin, Margaret commenced riding at eleven years of age, then joined South Elmsall Social CC in 1961. Her racing performances quickly improved and aged 19 she gained second place in the Women’s National Championship 100 miles and third place in the British Best All Rounder Competition. This was followed a year later with second place in the National Championship 50 miles, riding for Birdwell Wheelers. Transferring to Morley CC, she gained eleven championship, record and Best All Rounder team awards. Following retirement to raise a family she returned to the sport in 1982, leading Barnsley RC to fifteen national team awards to date.
1987 was to be Margaret’s year. July saw her gain third place in the National Championship 10 miles, a 4-15-44 100 mile time followed, together with a Scottish women’s 50 mile record of 2-5-06 and second fastest in the National Championship 100 miles. The season culminated in a glorious weekend in September when on Saturday afternoon she recorded 1-56-11 for 50 miles, then the following morning became the second fastest woman 25 miler in history with a time of 54-00.
These rides made sure that, at the age of 42, she became the Women’s British Best All Rounder for 1987, with an average speed of 26.687mph, thus bringing great honour to Yorkshire cycling.
21st February 1988