Harry Earnshaw (cyclist)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Harold Earnshaw |
| Nickname | Shake |
| Born | 24 September 1915 Newmillerdam, Wakefield |
| Died | 16 May 1985 (aged 69) |
| Team information | |
| Current team | Retired |
| Discipline | Road - Endurance rider |
| Role | Rider |
| Amateur team | |
| 1935 | Monckton CC |
| Major wins | |
| 1936 – British Best All-Rounder Team Prize – Monckton C.C. 1937 – British Best All-Rounder Team Prize - Monckton C.C. 1938 – British Best All-Rounder 1938 – Westerley 100-mile 1938 – 50-miles in 2 hours 4 minutes 21 seconds 1938 – 249 miles in 12 hours. 1939 – 276.5 miles in 12 hours. | |
Harold "Shake" Earnshaw (24 September 1915 – 16 May 1985) 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.[1]
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.[1]
Personal life
Harry Earnshaw lived in Royston, South Yorkshire and was a natural athlete and cyclist. He worked as a coal miner from school-leaving age (c.1930) until 1938.[1][2]
Earnshaw was given the nickname "Shake" by an uncle who saw a cartoon showing a sergeant-major shouting at a new recruit: "Before you come on parade tomorrow, Shakespeare get your hair cut." Turning to the young Harry, who had a thick crop of dark hair, the uncle repeated "Shakespeare, get your hair cut". This was adopted as his nickname; Shakespeare was shortened to "Shake", a nickname that stayed with him all his life.[3]
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.[1]
In 1936 the Monckton Cycling Club, sponsored by Carlton Cycles of Worksop,[4] won the team section of the British Best All-Rounder and Earnshaw was fifth in the individual listing.[1]
In the 1937 British Best All-Rounder, Earnshaw improved to third overall whilst Monckton C.C. again won the team prize.[1] He also won the Sheffield Phoenix 25 mile Time Trial in 1 hour, 1 minute 46 seconds.[5]
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.[1]
The Golden Book
Earnshaw's achievements were celebrated in 1938 when Cycling Weekly awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling.[1]
Later years
In his senior years he became an after dinner speaker. He suffered from poor circulation in his legs, which necessitated multiple amputations, meaning Earnshaw needed to use a wheelchair.
Earnshaw died on Thursday, 16 May 1985 aged 69.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The Golden Book of Cycling - Harry Earnshaw, 1939. Archive maintained by 'The Pedal Club'". Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
- ↑ Curious Fox - Harry Shake Earnshaw
- 1 2 "Shake", the Monckton Boys and the Hercules Professionals, by Eric Auty
- ↑ ClassicLightweights, Carlton Cycles, by Hilary Stone
- ↑ Calder Clarion - History, Sheffield Phoenix