Major Taylor

February 2, 2008 1:32 PM

Marshall ("Major") Taylor was the first black American to be crowned World Champion in any sport, ever. Care to guess the sport? In 1899, he set the world one-mile track record in cycling (and repeated his win in 1900 and 1901. His legacy continues today with an association, a society, a foundation, cycling clubs, and a velodrome.

Previously, there was a post on Major Taylor, but I thought I covered more ground with half a dozen new sites mentioned.

posted by mathowie (12 comments total)

Ant Bikes makes a bike named after him and is styled after and the sort of bike he rode. It is so so pretty. I want one so so bad.
posted by Stonestock Relentless at 2:11 PM on February 2

Don't eat cheap candies.

That's advice we can all live with.
posted by Burhanistan at 2:16 PM on February 2

Holy crap, that is a beautiful bike. I'm guessing it's a few grand though?
posted by mathowie at 2:17 PM on February 2

I used to ride with the Major Taylor club, out of Newark, NJ before moving out west.
posted by Fupped Duck at 2:21 PM on February 2

That is a gorgeous bike.
posted by vronsky at 3:58 PM on February 2

Yea, the frame is $1200.

This is a great inspiring story. I can't imagine what a tight rope it must have been when winning any event could have resulted in being lynched.

From Burhanistan's link, "In closing I wish to say that while I was sorely beset by a number of white riders in my racing days, I have also enjoyed the friendship of countless thousands of white men whom I class as among my closest friends. I made them in this country and all the foreign countries in which I competed. My personal observation and experiences indicate to me that while the majority of white people are considerate of my people, the minority are so bitter in their race prejudice that they actually overshadow the goodwill entertained for us by the majority."
posted by snsranch at 4:50 PM on February 2 [1 favorite]

snsranch,

That quote from the link pretty much sums up today as well.
posted by Senator at 5:50 PM on February 2

One of his bikes and a burly roller setup made out of wood is displayed at the ADT Center Velodrome in LA, impressive.
posted by asterisk at 7:23 PM on February 2

Major Taylor is a man worth remembering. Thanks for this post!
posted by honest knave at 6:25 AM on February 3

Senator, yea, I hear that, man, and in my daily life, I try to make a difference. That said, Major Taylor is a new hero for me.
posted by snsranch at 3:31 PM on February 3

Whenever you say "velodrome", I think "velociraptor".
posted by LordSludge at 10:31 PM on February 3

Wow, missed this one. I love Major Taylor. Thanks Matt. I am going to have to take steps to make sure I don't miss your posts anymore.
posted by caddis at 5:59 PM on February 4