Marshall Walter ("Major") Taylor (November 26,1878 - June 21, 1932) was an American cyclist who won the world one-mile track cycling championship in 1899, 1900, and 1901. Taylor was the second black world champion in any sport, after boxer George Dixon.

 

The Major Taylor Velodrome in Indianapolis, Indiana and a bicycle trail in Chicago are named in his honor. On July 24, 2006 the city of Worcester changed the name of part of Worcester Center Boulevard to Major Taylor Boulevard. His memory is honored not only for his athletic feats, but for his character. Taylor was a devout Christian who would not race on Sundays for much of his career, making his success all the more remarkable.

 

                             Taylor was born on a farm in rural Indiana to parents Gilbert Taylor and Saphronia Kelter. He began as an entertainer at the age of thirteen. He was hired to perform cycling stunts while wearing a soldier's uniform, which resulted in the nickname "Major".

 

    Long ago in Americana history existed a Negro Baseball League. The Negro National League was later formed in 1933, followed by the Negro American League, which was chartered in 1937. These two leagues thrived until the color line was broken. The demise of the Negro Leagues was inevitable as the younger black players were signed by the white major league franchises.

 

    In the early seventies, two sisters from Brooklyn, New York, Lucille and Mildred Smith started a cycling group, as a result of inspiration from their sister Annette. The group was known as the L & M Tourers. The sisters were not openly welcomed by other clubs around New York City. They formed the L & M Tourers to attract black cyclists. The first season started with one bike tour and several cyclists. From the latter part of the 1970s into the early 1990s, the active members thrived. As time went on more and more of the black cyclists became members of other clubs. (Sound familiar?)

 

    The year 2000 brought on a name change from L & M Tourers to L & M Cycling Club. In 2002, we adopted a new name: Major Taylor Cycling Club (MTCC). The name memorializes the greatest African-American cyclist to-date! With the new name, our multicultural bike club has become affiliated with other clubs both local and national. These new affiliations as expected have rejuvenated the club and brought back the great camaraderie started by Lucille, Mildred and Annette. Hopefully, after reading this you will make Major Taylor Cycling Club a regular part of your cycling agenda.