The fastest bicycle rider in the world : a the story of a colored boy's indomitable courage and success against great odds

Taylor, Major 1878-1932 (author.). Madu, Zito, (writer of introduction.). Taylor, Major 1878-1932 Abridgement of (work): Fastest bicycle rider in the world. (Added Author).

Summary: "Originally self-published in 1928, The fastest bicycle rider in the world, is a riveting first-person account of Marshall W. "Major" Taylor's 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. But the man who achieved international fame as the 'Black Cyclone' also details the extreme prejudice he faced both on and off the track. It's 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."--Back cover.

Record details

ISBN: 9781953368546
ISBN: 1953368549
ISBN: 1953368468
ISBN: 9781953368461
Physical Description: xxi, 441 pages ; 21 cm
print
Edition: First Belt Publishing edition.
Publisher: Lakewood, OH : Belt Publishing, 2023.

Content descriptions

General Note:

"To make the text more accessible to contemporary readers, the edition has been abridged from its original version, the illustrations excised, and certain spellings modernized."--Page xiii.

Formatted Contents Note:

Introduction / Zito Madu -- The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World -- How I started riding -- When fear paced me to victory -- How I became Louis D. Munger's protégé -- A cordial welcome -- My last amateur races -- I become a professional -- The national championship -- Revolt against the League of American Wheelman -- Mr. Munger's prophecy fulfilled -- Race against Jimmy Michaels, my greatest -- Zimmerman's tip brought me victory -- My unequaled feat -- A tribute from an opponent -- How strategy foiled 'pockets' -- Breaking a world's record -- My banner season, 1899 -- My triumph over Tom Butler -- How i won an unexpected championship -- Lowering the world's one-mile record -- Realizing a lifetime ambition -- Refuse to ride the the world's amateur champion -- My successes in Montreal nettle rivals -- My first close decision- Brockton -- Making my hometown debut as world's champion -- Winning three firsts in one meet at Peoria, Illinois -- An unparalleled feat- the one-mile world's paced record -- A reporter's praise -- Championship honors for 1900 -- My return to my native city, Indianapolis -- Sweet revenge at Buffalo -- Two first places in two starts at Hartford -- Two-ply victory and a record at New Bedford -- My easiest championship victory- Vailsburg -- Prejudice robbed me of a championship victory- Indianapolis -- Two thrilling championship victories- Indianapolis -- Winning the name 'Major' -- My defeat by Owen Kimball in championship- Montreal -- Amateur champion versus professional champion (?)- Hartford -- American championship title decided on points -- A unique advertisement- two champions on same make bicycle -- Cooper match race talk, debut in vaudeville, MacFarland's proposal -- How I defeated my old rival Tom Cooper- Madison Square Garden -- My great victory over Harry Elkes- Boston -- My first triumphant invasion of Europe -- Turning the tables on Jacquelin, the French idol- Paris -- The hardest fought match race of my career- Agen, France -- American riders plan my dethronement -- Robbed of a victory over Frank Kramer- Providence -- The most dramatic episode of my career- Worcester -- My sensational victory over Frank Kramer- Madison Square Garden -- My second successful European trip -- How I lost the 1902 championship title through vicious unfairness -- A championship victory on a borrowed bicycle- Ottawa -- Taylor-Frenn versus Kramer-Kimble at Manhattan Beach -- Kramer defeats me in bitterly fought race- Manhattan Beach -- How I defeated MacFarland's powerful combinations -- My royal welcome to Sydney, Australia -- My debut in Australia- a sensational championship victory -- Don Walker, Australian champion, a worthy rival -- A thrilling victory with a world's record -- Another victory and another pocket -- A double victory despite a pocket -- Fairly beaten but not discouraged -- Out of a pocket in record time -- Winning two more spectacular victories -- My welcome, illness, and recovery in Melbourne -- Match race victories over Morgan and Walker -- The great Sydney thousand one-mile handicap, how I was defeated -- How I defeated Walker and Morgan in a sensation scratch race -- A royal welcome, delightful climate, and great success, Adelaide -- Three Australian championships, off to Europe -- My third successful invasion of Europe -- My defeat in New Zealand -- Winning international test series, defeating Lawson -- More pockets and rough tactics -- Australians combine with Americans to dethrone me -- Defeating Lawson and MacFarland in Melbourne -- Championship match against Lawson a tough race -- Championship match against MacFarland left in dispute -- Severely injured 'revenge' match by Lawson -- The most thrilling episode of my career -- The great Sydney 'thousand' scandal -- Fairly defeated by MacFarland, he refuses match race -- Two victories on same program -- Australian riders peeved over American suspensions, seek revenge -- Unfair tactics, disqualifications, and public criticism -- Australian press severely censors riders and league officials -- My final race in Australia a championship victory -- The greatest prize of all -- Hail the conquering hero- a strange contrast -- My great comeback -- It was an awful raw deal -- I retire after sixteen years racing -- The value of good habits and clean living -- 'Father Time'.