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Fastest Bicycle Rider In The World: Major Taylor’s Story Hits Bookshelves

Written by Tyler Benedict
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Major Taylor: The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World hits bookshelves on October 17.  Fully illustrated, its 240 pages tells the moving story of Marshall W. “Major” Taylor (1878 – 1932), the first African-American athlete to gain international fame outside of Boxing.  He rose to fame in Europe and Australia by handily beating the top pros and national champions of the time, but faced the bigger challenge of racism back home in America.  Despite being one of the world’s greatest athletes, he died penniless in a Chicago welfare hospital at age 53.

The hardcover retails for $39.95, or pre-order on Amazon.com for $26.96.  It’s in stock October 17.
Tyler Benedict
11,281 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com, where he’s been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel and ride in new places.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler also loves the Vanlife & family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part and off-grid adventure.

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Darwin
Darwin
15 years ago

This is not the only book on Taylor but I’ll be sure to pick it up.

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Dale
Dale
15 years ago

This IS the first book on Taylor (not counting his long-out-of-print autobiography) but is also is a re-release. This Andrew Ritchie book was written and published maybe 15 years + ago.. Obviously the company thinks it’s time has come… again! It’s still great stuff though!

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Russell Ellington
Russell Ellington
15 years ago

Should be required reading. He should not be forgotten.

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topmounter
topmounter
15 years ago

Awesome book, Amazing story… I have the paperback version, but wouldn’t mind having the hardcover sitting on my bookshelf instead.

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Mark Farmer
Mark Farmer
15 years ago

I read this wonderful book a year ago, after I checked it out @ my local university library. Then I received a paperback copy of my own. I live in Cape Girardeau, MO, which is liberally mentioned in the book, but, sadly, not in a positive light. Mr. Taylor was, by all accounts, a man of strong character, intelligence, class & self respect.
I am better for having read this incredible book. It would have been my great pleasure to have had my tail kicked on the race track, by this great man. To quote Mr. Taylor, “Life is too short for a man to hold bitterness in his heart.”

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