Sid Ferris

Sidney Herbert Ferris (c. 1908) was an English long-distance cyclist who broke the records for Edinburgh-to-London, Land's End to John O'Groats, and 1,000 miles in 1937.

Sid Ferris had only one eye, so he wore a patch over his left eye.

Harry Ferris competed in solo, tandem and tricycle events from 1928 to 1959. He won several Gold awards from the 'Charlotteville Cycling Club' (Guildford) mostly for Club Records. Between 1925-1934 he also won Gold Medals from the 'Vegetarian and Athletic Club' including '210 miles on a Tricycle in 12hrs, and London to Bath and back. From 1932/33 Harry won Gold awards from 'South Western Cycling Club' in Solo and Tandem classes, these included a gold 'Southern Roads Medallion' for 12hrs. He won Silver awards from 'The Calleva Road Club', 'Southern Roads', 'Southern Counties Cycling Union', 'Southwest Roads Club', 'Charlotteville' and the 'Vegetarians & Athletic Clubs' among others.

Career Ferris rode for the Vegetarian Cycling and Athletic Club from the 1920s.

In 1930 he won the Anerley B.C. 12-hour time-trial with a score of miles.

Ferris turned professional in 1936.

In June 1937, as a training ride for the Land's End to John O'Groats, Ferris covered the 379 miles from Edinburgh to London in 20 hours 19 minutes, beating the previous record by exactly hours. Unfortunately, this record breaking achievement was subsequently not recognised by the R.R.A. because an assistant had broken a rule. (See October below) "This is the Hub that helped me break the Edinburgh-to-London, Land's End to John O'Groats, and 1,000 miles records. It's exactly what we racing men have always been looking for - a totally enclosed HUB gear with a really close ratio. I'll never ride without it." (Signed) "Sid Ferris" (Raleigh Bicycle / Sturmey-Archer employee)

Cigarette card

In 1939 Ferris was celebrated nationally when W.A. & A.C. Churchman issued a cigarette card of him in action. In a series of 50 cards called Kings of Speed, he was featured on card no. 33 titled S.H. Ferris.