Ruth Williams

Ruth has just stepped down as treasurer of the Liverpool Time Trials Cycling Association, a position she has held since the 1970s, and is the event secretary for the Association’s 12-hour time trial, an event she has organised since 1993. She has also been general and social secretary of the Merseyside Ladies for the last 18 years, having been a member for over 50 years.

As a racing cyclist, Ruth achievements over decades are nothing short of historic. Ruth was one of three women to ride the first 24-hour time trial under RTTC regulations. She holds the Northern Road Records Women’s Birkenhead to Ludlow and back record. She was a part of the Liverpool Eagle Road Club when they won the British Best All-rounder RTTC Team in 1963 and 1966; in 1963 they also won the RTTC National Championship 100-mile Team. They set a competition record for a women’s 24-hour team in 1976.

Her love of the sport is evident in her passion still to promote cycling for ladies now much younger than herself.

- Ruth's nomination

Ruth’s passion stems from childhood; having been born into a cycling family, she was in a sidecar from just a few months old, and her first cycling holiday was at the age of 11, a tour of Yorkshire in the 1940s.

Passing on an interest in cycling has always been important to Ruth; many years ago, she helped to take schoolchildren out on club runs and cycling weekends away. Today some still cycle and meet up with Ruth, now in their fifties and sixties.

Ruth’s nomination reads, “Her love of the sport is evident in her passion still to promote cycling for ladies now much younger than herself. Her stories of cycling are varied and worth a listen. Without women such as Ruth, cycling in the UK would not be the sport it is, not just for women but for men too. She is an inspiration to us all.”

Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling is an annual list celebrating inspirational women who are encouraging others to take part in this wonderful and life-enhancing activity.