Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/38



In the fall of 1895 I rode my first bicycle race in Worcester, Mass. I had joined the Albion Cycle Club which was composed of colored riders. Later I was one of the club's team selected to ride in the annual ten-mile road race that attracted hundreds of entries. My old hero, Willie Windle of Millbury, Mass., was the donor of the trophy offered the winner of first place. I won this event and repeated it the following year that I might obtain permanent possession of the cup.

When Mr. Munger's factory moved to Middletown, Conn., the following year, I had my first real test against the best amateur sprinters in the East. I went along with the firm elated at the prospect of being able to compete against the pick of the amateur bicycle sprinters of the East.

I made my début at a State meet sanctioned by The League of American Wheelmen at New Haven, Conn. I decided to start in the one-mile open race, the feature event of the day. Having qualified in the preliminary heats I lined up at the tape with eleven of the fastest amateurs in this part of the country. Naturally I was nervous in this, my first tryout, but was all primed to go. However, instead of jumping out front at the crack of the pistol I was obliged to change my tactics and rode in last place until we were three-eighths of a mile from the tape. At that point I made my spurt and passed the entire group, gaining six lengths on them before they realized what had happened. I won by six lengths and received a wonderful ovation and a gold watch which I promptly presented to my friend Mr. Munger in appreciation for some of the many kindnesses he had extended to me.

Shortly afterwards I participated in the half-mile open race at Meriden, Conn. This time I was unable to come out of a very bad pocket which I found myself in half way down the home stretch and I had to content myself with second place. The winner leading me home by a matter of inches. My prize, a beautiful dinner set, I shipped to my mother for a birthday present.

Then came one of the greatest tests of my racing ability–the famous Irvington-Milbourne, N. J., 25-mile road race. Oscar Hedstrom and I trained for a couple of weeks over the course, under the watchful eye of Robert Ellingham. As the starting hour arrived I was in excellent fettle to measure speed with over 140 of the best