Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/159

 assistance of any of the officials. It was while I was training for this championship match that I was credited with tearing off the fastest mile ever recorded on any track under the same conditions, the mark of 1:45 standing to this day.

I quote as follows from an article printed in an Indianapolis newspaper concerning that record mile:

“Major Taylor’s Fast Mile. Colored Champion Paced by Other

Cracks Does Stunt in Remarkable Time of 1:45. This is the fastest time ever clocked for the distance on any track. The record-ride was made in a work-out, and does not stand as an official mark. R. W. Ellingham held the watch on Taylor as did Earl Kiser, the great sprinter, and several others, They were dumbfounded as they realized what Taylor had done and so were the other riders who were assembled at the track to watch the work-out. None of them seemed to be able to realize that Taylor was capable of such a marvelous performance. Taylor made this mark on a wheel geared to ninety-two inches and Palmer tires.

“Major Taylor was pulled out by the cracks who are in training at Newhy Oval. Lew Gordon paced him to the tape with a flying start, and George Leander took him to the first quarter in 26 flat. Owen Kimble paced him for the second quarter in :26 3/5, the half by Taylor being :52 3/5. Jimmie Bowler pulled Taylor to the third