Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/131

 “Two mechanics will man the big machine so it is hardly possible there will be a slip up this time. McDuffee is credited with having recently done 1:21 for the mile, but he used windshields in his attempt which is against the L. A. W. rules. ‘Taylor feels that hecan lower his present record of 1:22 2/5 without the use of windshields. In fact he is of the opinion that he can turn the trick in 1:18 or better, although he is not in the same condition now as when he established the present world’s record, having increased his weight from 148 to 160 pounds.

“McDuffee is still in the city anxiously waiting for his motor which was shipped east to be repaired. He will continue his trial as soon as it has returned, so that Chicago will be the scene of the greatest dual that has ever been staged for the one-mile pace record which is the blue-ribbon distance on the cycle track. There has always been great rivalry between these two men and to add fuel to the flame is the fact that they are riding rival chainless machines, Taylor using the Sager gear while McDuffee rides the Columbia chainless gear.”

Another Chicago daily printed the following article:

“Major Taylor is ready for the Mile Record. Major Taylor is all ready to make the trial for a new world’s record for the mile at Garfield Park track and is awaiting until parts for his machine arrive from Boston. On the other hand Eddie McDuffee declared yesterday he is now ready to go after the record despite the fact that his pacing machine tuned up well and turned the trick in 1:17 2/5 in a practice sprint. This is the fastest time made by McDuffee’s device and it is also faster than Taylor’s machine has ever covered the mile in. That makes it look as if McDuffee has the best chance for the record unless Taylor’s machine picks up a bit.”

On the following day a Chicago paper printed the following story:

“Major Taylor Rides the Mile in 1:19. Smashing the World’s Record. Major Taylor smashed the world’s record for the paced mile at Garfield Park yesterday, being two seconds under the figure made by Eddie McDuffee a few days ago. Taylor’s mile was 1:19. Aided by windshields, the colored boy kept the fast pace his motor tandem set for him for two circuits of the track and crossed the tape on time well under the fastest ever before clocked under similar conditions,

“Early in the afternoon Taylor’s motor was working badly and the fastest mile was made in 1:30, and again it was tried and considerable improvement was made, the time was 1:26-2. An ordinary racing cyclist would have considered these two trials at such intense speed quite enough for one day, but Taylor was hoping for greater things and being assured that the motor could now be made to go 1:20 or