Francis William Shorland

1892. Shorland with the Crypto-geared 'front-drive' on which he won the 24-hour 'Cuca' race. From 'Bartleet's Bicycle Book' No. 23.

1909. Clement-Talbot.

Francis (Frank) William Shorland (1871-1929), of Clement Talbot and a champion cyclist

1871 Born at Orton, Northamptonshire

1890 June. F. W. Shorland, a very young rider, was the first of a series of single-handed breakers of the London-Brighton-London (108 miles) time. He accomplished the feat upon a pneumatic-tyred "Geared Facile" safety bicycle, and reduced the time to 7 hrs. 19 mins., being himself beaten on July 23rd by S. F. Edge, riding a cushion-tyred safety. Edge put the time at 7 hrs. 2 mins. 50 sees.

In the 1892 Herne Hill 24-Hour Cycle Race, on the 22nd July 1892, the race was won by F. W. Shorland who rode a geared ordinary (or penny farthing ) to achieve a distance of 413 miles.

c.1909 Chairman and general manager of Clement-Talbot (see picture)

1911 Living at Fair Cross, High Street, Watford: Francis W. Shorland (age 39 born Orton, Staffs.), General manager of Talbot Motor Works (actually at sea between Dublin and Holyhead at the time of the census). Also his wife Katherine F. Shorland (age 38 born London) and their daughter Elizabeth H. Shorland (age 11 born London).

See Also

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Sources of Information

• The Brighton road; the classic highway to the south, by Charles George Harper