In an era when riding a motorcycle was not thought to be a terribly ladylike occupation, Beryl Swain became, in 1962, the first woman solo rider to negotiate the notorious Isle of Man Tourist Trophy course in an official event. That year she rode her Italian Itom 50cc Racer into 22nd place in a field of 25 in a TT race around the notorious 37-mile mountain road course, which has claimed many lives and inflicted fearful injuries over the years. It was the first year in which the 50cc Ultra Lightweight class had been granted world championship status, and the class was to prove immensely popular. But this was not, alas, to be the start of an international career for Swain. Feeling that Isle of Man TT racing was far too dangerous for solo women, the sport’s ruling body moved swiftly and revoked her international license, effectively putting an end to a career at that level.