The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World

February 1, 2019 3:00 PM

In 1896, Marshall “Major” Taylor finished the Six Day Bicycle Race in Madison Square Garden, having completed a record 1,732 miles on the 0.1-mile track. Survival was no small feat. Half the field dropped out because of crashes, exhaustion, or hallucinations. The New York Times correspondent described Taylor as the “wonder” of the event, in part because of his age and inexperience. He was only 18, and it was his first professional race. He was also the lone African American in the otherwise all-white field.

See also: NYT Overlooked obituary, a more detailed article from Smithsonian.com, memorabilia from the National Museum of American History, previous posts about Major Taylor in 2008, 2005.

posted by asperity (13 comments total)

I get that people used different language back in the day, but you probably could have just gone with "hallucinations" all on its own in the post text.
posted by eviemath at 3:02 PM on February 1, 2019

Good call--I copied and pasted without thinking it over. I've requested the change.
posted by asperity at 3:09 PM on February 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

Mod note: fixed text
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 3:20 PM on February 1, 2019

Looks like a really interesting story!
posted by eviemath at 3:34 PM on February 1, 2019

There’s a fantastic short film about him here.
posted by grahamparks at 3:54 PM on February 1, 2019 [2 favorites]

and a nice The Dollop podcast about him here (if your taste runs to such things).
posted by turbowombat at 4:02 PM on February 1, 2019 [3 favorites]

Major Taylor project, race, and fundraiser in Seattle
posted by clew at 5:06 PM on February 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

Seconding that Dollop episode about Taylor. Hilarious.
posted by Rykey at 7:24 PM on February 1, 2019

My riding buddy runs the Major Taylor project clew mentioned above. It’s an amazing program. They get kids from inner city high schools and acquire used road bikes. They learn how to build, tune, and maintain their bikes and they train all year, culminating in the annual Seattle to Portland ride — 2 back to back centuries over two days. It’s pure awesomeness.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 7:44 PM on February 1, 2019 [5 favorites]

Hmm… I may be crazy, but I'm not "ride a bike in a circle until I hallucinate and pass out from exhaustion" crazy. Shine on, you crazy diamonds. Try not to die.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 7:55 PM on February 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

There are many Major Taylor riding clubs in many cities in the US including my own that support African American riders. Check to see if you have a local chapter.
posted by grimjeer at 9:55 PM on February 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

Here in Indy, we've had the Major Taylor Velodrome since 1982.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:12 AM on February 2, 2019 [5 favorites]

Hmm… I may be crazy, but I'm not "ride a bike in a circle until I hallucinate and pass out from exhaustion" crazy.

This sort of super-enduro event has its modern counterpart in the truly epic Race Across America, which is literally what it says on the tin--coast to coast, fast as you can. (previously on the blue)
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:54 AM on February 2, 2019 [2 favorites]