Joyce Barry

Joyce Barry (March 1919 – 23 November 1999) was an Australian cyclist who held numerous records for long-distance cycling, most notably the women's seven-day record.[1]

For the character in the Australian television series Prisoner, see List of Prisoner characters – prison staff.

Joyce Beryl Barry
Personal information
BornMarch 1919
Died23 November 1999(1999-11-23) (aged 80)
Team information
DisciplineRoad & track
RoleRider
Rider typeEndurance
Professional team
Malvern Star

Biography

Barry was born in March 1919, the third daughter of Mr and Mrs James Barry.[2]

In 1936 the 17-year-old Barry announced her intention to challenge the Sydney to Melbourne record of 3 days 1 hour, set in 1935 by Billie Samuel,[3] and she soon came to the attention of Hubert Opperman.[4] Barry was sponsored by Malvern Star and the NSW Milk Board.[5][6]

Her preparation for the Sydney to Melbourne ride included tackling the ride from Newcastle to Sydney in July 1937, covering the 104.6 miles (168.3 km) in 6 hrs 34 min 36 s, with a massage while on the ferry across the Hawkesbury River being sufficient to recover from leg cramps.[7] The next ride in her preparation was to tackle the 168 miles (270 km) from Orange in August 1937, which she completed in 10 hrs 19 min 26 s.[8] Along the way Barry completed the 131 miles (211 km) from Bathurst to Sydney in 8 hrs 2 min 56 s, which Malvern Star were quick to promote in advertising.[9]

12 months after her announcement, Barry succeeded in breaking the Sydney to Melbourne record, covering the 568 miles (914 km) in 2 days 2 hrs. Along the way established a new record of Sydney to Albury in 33 hrs 55 mins and Albury to Melbourne in 16 hrs 52 mins.[10] Once again Malvern Star were quick to promote her success.[11]

The following year Barry traveled to Tasmania, setting a record in May 1938 for the ride from Launceston to Hobart and return, covering 245 miles (394 km) in 17 hrs 30 min 30 sec.[12] In June Barry went to Queensland, this time to claim the record for Brisbane to Rockhampton covering the 483 miles (777 km) in 56 hrs 29 min.[13] followed by Stanthorpe to Brisbane in July, riding the 185 miles (298 km) in 11 hrs 46 min, continuing on to claim the Australian women's 12 hour record of 189.5 miles (305.0 km).[14]

Returning to Sydney in September 1938 Barry established the women's seven day record of 1,107 miles (1,782 km).[15] Her record was eclipsed in November 1939 by the next Malvern Star woman rider, Valda Unthank who rode 1,438.5 miles (2,315.0 km).[16]

Barry died in November 1999, aged 80.[1]

  • Joyce Barry milk promotion
    Joyce Barry milk promotion
  • Joyce Barry milk promotion
    Joyce Barry milk promotion

References
  1. "Joyce Barry". aussievelos.net. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  2. "Joyce Barry is 21". The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers' Advocate. 27 March 1940. p. 5. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Attack on bike record". The Labor Daily. 10 September 1936. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Joyce Barry: after distance records". The Referee. 29 October 1936. p. 21. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Joyce Barry: 18½ years old girl champion cyclist says 'milk is the best food to keep fit on'". The Referee. 28 October 1937. p. 10. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. The NSW Milk board (1932–1970) was a statutory authority that promoted the sale of milk as part of its control over all milk production and sale in designated milk zones."Milk Board". NSW State Archives & Records. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  7. "Joyce Barry puts up remarkable ride". The Referee. 29 July 1937. p. 20. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Orange-Sydney Record". The Referee. 26 August 1937. p. 20. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Two more records to Joyce Barry and her Malvern Star". The Referee. 26 August 1937. p. 20. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Sydney Melbourne in 51 hours. Joyce Barry's record". Sporting Globe. 29 September 1937. p. 13. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Record smashed Sydney – Melbourn 568 miles by Joyce Barry and her Malvern Star". Sporting Globe. 29 September 1937. p. 12. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Another record to Joyce Barry". Sporting Globe. 25 May 1938. p. 13. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. "Record broken. Joyce Barry's good effort". The Courier-Mail. 20 June 1938. p. 13. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. "Joyce Barry's new records. 189 miles in 12 hours". The Courier-Mail. 21 July 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. "World record to Joyce Barry". Sporting Globe. 13 September 1939. p. 13. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. "World's cycling amazon". Sporting Globe. 29 November 1939. p. 12. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
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