| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Harold Earnshaw | ||
| Nickname | Shake | ||
| Born | c.1916 United Kingdom |
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| Team information | |||
| Current team | Retired | ||
| Discipline | Road - Endurance rider | ||
| Role | Rider | ||
| Amateur team(s) | |||
| 1935 | Monckton CC | ||
| Major wins | |||
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| Infobox last updated on Mar 2011 |
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Harold Earnshaw, Harry Shake Earnshaw, (c. 1916) 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]
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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 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,[3] 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.[4]
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]
Harry Earnshaw's achievements were celebrated in 1938 when Cycling Weekly awarded him his own page in the Golden Book of Cycling.[1]