Page:The fastest bicycle rider in the world - 1928 - Taylor.djvu/92

 very near the record. He twice cut the two miles and finally lopped 13 seconds off the mark, and that within a few minutes after establishing the mile record. He did quarters, and thirds in these rides that were records again and again, and he is confident that no record so far made, will stand if he goes again. His pacemakers have been unable to shake him and they, too, are confident.”

In that campaign of 1899, covering six weeks of very strenuous work I established seven world’s records, viz.:—the quarter, third, half,

two-thirds, three-quarters, one mile and two miles. However, I got the most satisfaction out of my one-mile accomplishment as it is generally regarded as the standard distance for all kinds of speed tests.

While I was delighted with these records I felt in my heart that I could have broken 1:20 for the mile if my pacemakers could hit up that clip. My reason for being so confident was that in all my racing career I never was in better fettle than when I was making those successful onslaughts against the long standing records for almost all distances up to two miles, in the teeth of those November gales. However, I kept my belief to myself as I knew full well that were I to mention covering the mile in 1:20 I would have been made the laughing stock of the racing-track world.

One day just before making my successful try for the new one-mile record I became convinced that I could never do a faster mile behind human pace. The reason for this was that I knew my pacemakers, who were among the very best in the world, gave me every-