Beryl Burton OBE (1937–1996) was one of Britain’s greatest ever cyclists. She took up cycling in her late teens and quickly rose to prominence, winning her first national title in 1959.

Over the course of her career, Beryl won seven world titles and more than 90 British championships across road and track.

In 1967, she beat the men’s 12-hour time trial record, overtaking 99 male cyclists to win the race.

She was named British Best All Rounder for 25 years in a row from 1959 to 1983.

Beryl continued to compete for the rest of her life. She died while cycling on her bike at the age of 58 in 1996.

Beryl Burton’s legacy endures as a pioneer of women’s cycling, inspiring generations of athletes with her relentless pursuit of excellence.

Beryl husband Charlie played a vital role in her career, often acting as her coach, mentor, and mechanic.

He introduced Beryl to cycling and together they formed a strong partnership both on and off the road.

Charlie’s encouragement and practical support helped Beryl reach extraordinary heights in the sport.

He was present at all of her record-breaking rides, often spending his own money to get to races around Europe.

Charlie died in 2023 at the age of 93.

Denise Burton-Cole is a former British cyclist who followed in the footsteps of her mother, Beryl Burton, to achieve success at the highest level of the sport. She won multiple national championships, a bronze medal in the World Championships and competed in the Women’s Tour de France.

Denise was known for her strong racing ability and determination, often competing alongside and against her mother in a unique family rivalry. Despite the challenges of living up to such a legendary name, she carved out her own impressive career. Denise lives in North Yorkshire with her husband.

Maxine Peake is an acclaimed British actress known for her powerful, socially conscious performances across film, television, and stage.

She wrote the stage play Beryl, based on the life of Beryl Burton, bringing Beryl’s achievements and personal struggles to new audiences.

Maxine’s deep connection to the material, combined with her ability to portray resilience and complexity, makes her a vital creative voice in this film.

Her involvement helps capture Beryl’s determination, humanity, and quiet strength, ensuring the story resonates with contemporary audiences while honoring its historical roots.

Maxine also acts as the voice of Beryl Burton in the film, voicing extracts from Beryl’s letters, diaries and autobiography.

Lizzie Deignan is a former world champion and Olympic silver medallist at London 2012.

Yorshire-born Lizzie learned about Beryl Burton’s career from her grandmother, who knew Beryl.

Lizzie followed in Beryl’s footsteps to become a female world champion. In the film Lizzie has the chance to ride one of Beryl’s old bikes.

She steps on to the 1981 bicycle to contrast it with how modern technology has changed for today’s cyclists.

Lizzie represents the modern success built on Beryl’s pioneering achievements, offering insights into Beryl’s impact on gender equality and the sport’s development.

Dame Sarah Storey is Britain’s most successful Paralympian, with a career spanning elite swimming and cycling.

She has won multiple Paralympic gold medals and world titles, demonstrating extraordinary longevity and adaptability.

In the film Sarah talks about the longevity of her career and the similarities to Beryl.

As one of very few cyclists still competing at the highest level in her 40s, Sarah is uniquely placed to explain the desire to keep racing, the impact on female bodies and analyse how Beryl managed to achieve what she did.

Alistair Brownlee is a double Olympic champion triathlete, born in 1988 in Yorkshire.

His dominance in endurance sport was built on discipline, research, and relentless training.

Alistair studied Beryl’s career for his book Performance, exploring the science and psychology of elite achievement.

He shares Beryl’s Yorkshire roots, and in the film reflects on the toughness and work ethic shaped by the region.

His insights help connect Burton’s era to modern high-performance sport, reinforcing her lasting influence on British endurance athletes.

He also reveals the psychology behind trying to win at all costs and pushing your body beyond its limits.

Phil Liggett is a renowned British cycling commentator, known as “the voice of cycling” for his decades-long coverage of the Tour de France and other major races.

Phil was a friend of Beryl and Charlie Burton. He shares his personal insight into their lives and achievements in the film.

His unique perspective helps to humanize Beryl’s story and illuminate the close-knit nature of Britain’s cycling community and just how much her succes meant to cyclists in the UK.