Major Taylor George Street Hill Climb
Written by Boston Biker on Jul 01Barney’s Bicycle and the Seven Hills Wheelmen present:
The seventh annual
GEORGE STREET BIKE CHALLENGE for MAJOR TAYLOR … an uphill time trial …
Sunday, July 27, 2008
10:00 a.m.
Main & George streets
downtown Worcester, Mass.
See how fast you can pedal up one of Worcester’s steepest hills, a 500-foot quad-buster where “the Worcester Whirlwind,” 1899 world cycling champion Major Taylor, used to train. The average grade is 18 percent.
Open to ages 12 and up.
Entry fee $15.
Helmets required.
One rider at a time against the clock.
Got a minute? Check it out on video! (The video is only a few seconds longer than it takes to actually bike up the hill.)
Race-day registration: 8:30-9:45 a.m.
First rider starts at 10:00 sharp.
Medals will be awarded in various age categories for males and females, plus a tandem category.
Proceeds benefit the Major Taylor Association, Inc., which put up a statue of Taylor in May 2008 at the Worcester Public Library in Salem Square — the city’s first monument to an African-American. Proceeds will help MTA continue to educate people about Major Taylor’s life and legacy and to support the library’s statue maintenance fund.
BIKE RAFFLE! $5 per chance.
Win a 24-speed Giant OCR3 road bike from Barney’s, or a custom, limited-edition Major Taylor cycling jersey, or other cool stuff. Prize list and raffle tickets (click here)
You can order raffle tickets online or by mail: $5 per chance, or three for $12, or six for $20. Or get them at Barney’s Bicycle, 165 Chandler St., Worcester. Prize drawing will be approximately 1:00 p.m. July 27, at the conclusion of the George Street Bike Challenge. You do NOT have to be present to win.
Major Taylor cycling jerseys ($79):
WHO WAS MAJOR TAYLOR? Marshall W. “Major” Taylor (1878-1932) of Worcester was the world’s first black sports superstar. Known as “the Worcester Whirlwind” and “the colored cyclone,” he was world cycling champion in 1899, American sprint champion in 1900, and broke numerous track cycling records, at a time when cycling was more popular than baseball. He was the second black world champion in any sport (after bantamweight boxer George Dixon in 1891). He had to fight Jim Crow prejudice just to get on the starting line, and he faced closed doors and open hostility with dignity.
The Major Taylor Association is dedicated to honoring his athletic achievements and strength of character — sportsmanship, devotion to God, caring for those less fortunate, and personal struggle for equality.
More information, including last year’s results:
Barney’s Bicycle, 508-799-BIKE (799-2453)
Whirlwind Sponsor: Puma
Pacesetter Sponsors: Standard Auto; AdventureCORPS Media sponsors: Worcester Telegram & Gazette; Charter Communications
New this year:
Garden Fresh Courthouse Cafe is open at the foot of the hill. (menu)
I recommend their performance-enhancing muffins and cookies.
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