My Cycling Star

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Overview of My Cycling Star

Biography of Kerry Wilbraham. Professional cyclist from 1957–1965.

This book is more than just a biography—it’s a deep dive into the world of professional cycling during the late 1950s and early 1960s. My Cycling Star captures the highs and lows of Kerry Wilbraham’s racing career, from his humble beginnings in New Zealand to the grueling European racing circuits of Austria, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. Readers will experience the passion, determination, and resilience that defined Kerry’s career, as well as the heartbreak of setbacks like his exclusion from the 1962 Tour of Austria. This book is written by Kerry’s wife, Yvonne Wilbraham.

Beyond Kerry’s personal journey, this book explores the broader world of professional cycling, shedding light on essential aspects of the sport:

• The life of a professional cyclist: the sacrifices, training, and sheer mental and physical endurance required to compete at the highest level.
• Cycling salaries and sponsorships: What riders earned in the 1960s compared to today’s professionals.
• The role of the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale):The governing body of cycling that regulates races, enforces rules, and ensures fair competition.
• The evolution of cycling technology—including insights into the Puch racing bikes Kerry rode and how they compare to today’s cutting-edge machines.
• Race strategies and survival on the road: How riders manage everything from brutal weather conditions to mid-race crashes.

For cycling enthusiasts, history lovers, and sports fans alike, My Cycling Star is filled with black-and-white photographs and newspaper articles from the 1950s and 1960s, capturing moments of victory, loss, and perseverance. Some of these images have faded over time, but their stories remain as powerful as ever.

As Kerry’s wife of over 40 years, I’ve admired his unwavering love for the sport—not just in his prime, but in his lifelong commitment to getting on his bike almost daily, well into his 80s. My Cycling Star is a tribute to his legacy, to the golden era of cycling, and to the incredible world of competitive racing that continues to captivate millions today.

This is a true story. A story of passion, grit, and the pursuit of a dream on two wheels.