Harry Grant (cyclist)
Harry Grant (1906-1993) was a British racing cyclist who specialised in motor-paced events. He was national amateur champion in 1926, 1928 and 1931.[1] At the time he turned professional in 1932 he held four British amateur track records. He also won many races on the continent and held the world paced one-hour record on three occasions.[2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1906 United Kingdom |
| Died | 1993 |
| Team information | |
| Current team | Retired |
| Discipline | Motor paced rider |
| Role | Rider |
| Rider type | All-rounder |
| Amateur teams | |
| – | Imperial Wheelers, |
| – | Norwood Paragon CC |
| – | Colchester Rovers |
| Professional team | |
| 1932–1938+ | – |
| Major wins | |
| 1926, 1928, 1931 - UK tandem-paced national amateur champion 1929 British one-mile flying start paced record 1932 - World motor-paced professional one-hour record x 3 1938 - Cent Milles 100-mile race in Paris | |
Early life
Grant was born in Colchester, Essex, and raised in London.[3]
Cycling career
He belonged to the Imperial Wheelers[4] and won the national 50-miles tandem-paced championship in 1926, 1928 and 1931. In 1929 he established the British one-mile flying start paced record at 1m 17.6s and the standing start record at 1m 29.8s.[5]
He turned professional in 1932 and went to Paris, where he teamed up with the Belgian pacer, Leon Vanderstuyft. In July 1932 he made a successful attempt on the world one-hour motor-paced record when, trailed by Vanderstuyft, he covered 52 miles 215 yards. This record was beaten 24 hours later and in October 1932 Grant put up new figures of 55 miles 362 yards. Twelve hours later this was beaten but Grant recaptured it the following day when he covered 56 miles 929 yards. [2] He won the Cent Milles 100-mile race in Paris in 1938.[4]
In Britain he took the professional one-mile standing start paced record with 1 m 35.8 s.[5]
Grant's sponsors included British bicycle makers such as R. O. Harrison and Maurice Selbach. It was on a Selbach that Grant took the world one-hour record.[6][7] Harrison named his top model after him.[8]
In the late 1940s, Grant was riding in the colours of the south London Norwood Paragon cycling club at the Herne Hill Velodrome.
In later life, Grant returned to Colchester, where he joined Colchester Rovers cycling club. He marked his 80th birthday in 1986 by taking part in the 100 km Windmill Ride, after which ride organisers presented him with a commemorative medal.[3]
Death and commemoration
Grant died in West Bergholt, near Colchester, in March 1993. He was aged 86.[3]
The Golden Book
Grant's achievements were celebrated in 1932 when Cycling Weekly awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling.[2]
References
- "UK Stayers + Pacers". Imageevent.com. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
- "The Golden Book of Cycling - Harry Grant, 1932. Archive maintained by 'The Pedal Club'". Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- Evening Gazette, Colchester, June 1986 and 19 March 1993
- The Bicycle, UK, 19 March 1941
- "dernysportuk.com". dernysportuk.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
- "Selbach". Classiclightweights.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
- "National Cycle Museum - A gravestone with a cycling history". Cyclingnorthwales.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
- "R O Harrison Super Circuit - 1939". Classiclightweights.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2011.