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by Marshall W. Major Taylor (Author)
This autobiography by the sport's first African American world champion is "a compelling story for any cycling fan" (Outside).
More than a century ago, Marshall "Major" Taylor overcame racial prejudice to become one of the most dominant cyclists in history. The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World, which Taylor self-published in 1928, gives a riveting first-person account of his rise to the highest echelons of professional cycling. Born in Indianapolis, he eventually became the first African American cycling world champion, going on to set seven world records in the sport. Here he recounts his exploits as an athlete, including his early taste of success in a grueling six-day race, his unparalleled dominance as a sprinter, and some of his most bitter defeats. But the man who achieved international fame as the "Black Cyclone" also details the extreme prejudice he faced both on and off the track. This is a story about one of the greatest athletes in American history, but also a moving testament to Taylor's resilience and determination in the face of overt racism and seemingly impossible odds. "Taylor paints vivid a picture of bike racing in the United States at the turn of the [twentieth] century, and highlights his mental process in dealing with racism . . . all while becoming, indeed, the fastest bike racer in the world." --Outside Includes an introduction by Zito MaduAuthor Biography
Marshall W. "Major" Taylor was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1878. At eighteen, he became a professional cyclist, and in 1899, he won the one-mile sprint event at the world track championships, becoming the first Black athlete to be named a cycling world champion. Despite rampant racism from both fellow athletes and fans, Taylor became one of the most dominant cyclists of his era. After his retirement at the age of thirty-two, he moved to Chicago and unsuccessfully tried to make money in a variety of ways, including by self-publishing his autobiography, The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World. He died in poverty in Chicago in 1932.
Zito Madu was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States in 1998. He grew up in Detroit and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. His writing has been published in many publications, including Plough Quarterly, Victory Journal, GQ Magazine, the New Republic, and the Nation.
