Countdown To The Major Taylor Hill Climb!

From the email (I did this one year on a fixed gear, it was totally stupid and I loved it!):

George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor

A storied summit

George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor

From Major Taylor’s ascent in the 1890s to the quirky climbs of the 21st century, everyone who goes up George Street has a story to tell. Be there on wheels or on foot

Sunday, July 28, to create your chapter of this “peak Worcester” experience.

Medals will be awarded in male and female age categories. The fastest male and the fastest female also will win a Major Taylor cycling jersey — winner’s choice of three designs from Alloy Cycling Wear.

In addition, a Diamond back road bike, apparel, books and other prizes will be raffled off at the conclusion of the time trial. See the full list of prizes and get raffle tickets online or at Barney’s Bicycle, or at the race.

More info

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Support The Major Taylor Association, “Bicycle Dreams” Film Screening In Worcester

If you are out in Worcester next month, be sure to stop by and support the Major Taylor association, they do good work.

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Landry’s Bicycles presents the film “Bicycle Dreams,” the true story of the Race Across America, at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, in Razzo Hall, 92 Downing St., Clark University, Worcester. The award-winning documentary film by Stephen Auerbach, exploring how and why endurance athletes push their limits, goes beyond cycling and celebrates the human spirit.

Q&A with RAAM rider Patrick Autissier of Boston, one of the riders featured in the film, will follow the screening. Autissier was the first Frenchman to enter the Race Across America and has crossed the finish line both as a solo competitor and a team entrant. In his rookie year in the race, Autissier approached the physical, mental and emotional challenges differently than his competitors, resulting in the compelling drama of “Bicycle Dreams.”

Tickets are $7.50 online, $10 at the door. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Major Taylor Association.

Details and tickets:
http://www.majortaylorassociation.org/events/bicycledreams.shtml

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By Popular Demand: Major Taylor Jersey!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
from the Major Taylor Association, in time for the holidays

A custom-designed, limited-edition cycling jersey featuring a classic image of 1899 world champion MAJOR TAYLOR.

$79 including shipping.

A new batch has just arrived and the jerseys are selling fast.
Available sizes as of Nov. 6, 2008:
Men’s M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Women’s M, L, XL

Order online or mail a check.
Pictures, size chart & ordering instructions:
http://www.majortaylorassociation.org/jersey.shtml

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Major Taylor Century

I got this fun bit of news in the mail today. I participated in the Major Taylor Hill Climb (video and pics of that soon, I hope…) That was a blast! You should try this as well.

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MAJOR TAYLOR CENTURY — Sept. 21, 2008

Seven Hills Wheelmen and 10th Gear Christian Youth Cyclists present:

MAJOR TAYLOR CENTURY
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Whitinsville, Mass. (see directions below) www.sevenhillswheelmen.org/centuries.htm

Bicycle 25, 62 or 100 miles on the scenic roads of south-central Massachusetts, plus a bit of Rhode Island and Connecticut.

All rides leave from the Whitin Community Center, 60 Main St., Whitinsville, Mass.

CENTURY (100 miles) — check-in 7:15-8 a.m., depart 8 a.m.
METRIC CENTURY (62 miles) — check in 8:30-9 a.m., depart 9 a.m.
QUARTER CENTURY (25 miles) — check-in 9:30-10 a.m., depart 10 a.m.
RAIN OR SHINE

Entry fees — Before Sept. 16, 10th Gear & Seven Hills Wheelmen members, $15; nonmembers, $20.
Day of ride, 10th Gear & Seven Hills Wheelmen members, $20; nonmembers, $25.

Online preregistration: www.sevenhillswheelmen.org/majortaylor

Mail-in registration: Make checks payable to 10thGear and mail to:
10thGear/MTC, c/o Village Congregational Church, P.O. Box 217, Whitinsville, MA 01588

Entry fee covers continental breakfast, cue sheet, arrowed route and snacks. Helmets are required. Proceeds benefit 10th Gear, Major Taylor Association, and Seven Hills Wheelmen.

WHO WAS MAJOR TAYLOR? Marshall W. “Major” Taylor (1878-1932), who lived in Worcester, was world cycling champion in 1899 and American sprint champion in 1900. Known as “the Worcester Whirlwind” and “the colored cyclone,” he was the second black world champion in any sport (the first was bantamweight boxer George Dixon in 1891). More about Major Taylor and the new Major Taylor monument at the Worcester Public Library:
www.majortaylorassociation.org

Century information: Arlen Hall, (508) 234-9945, [email protected] www.sevenhillswheelmen.org/centuries.htm

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Directions — Whitinsville is part of the town of Northbridge.

FROM THE NORTH: Take I-290 west and connect to Route 146 south in the center of Worcester at Brosnihan Square. Follow Route 146 south to the Purgatory Road exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp. Follow this road about 3 miles into the center of Whitinsville. The Whitin Community Center will be on your left. Turn left at the next traffic light on Hill Street.
The entrance is 100 feet ahead on the left.

FROM THE EAST OR WEST: Take Mass. Turnpike (I-90) to Exit 10A (Worcester/Route 146). Follow Route 146 south 8 miles to the Purgatory Road exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp. Follow this road about 3 miles into the center of Whitinsville. The Whitin Community Center will be on your left. Turn left at the next traffic light on Hill Street. The entrance is 100 feet ahead on the left.

FROM RHODE ISLAND: Follow Route 146 north to the Lackey Dam Road exit in Mass. Turn right at the end of the ramp. Follow this road 3 miles to the center of Whitinsville (traffic light). The Whitin Community Center entrance is straight ahead 100 feet on the left, on Hill Street.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Major Taylor George Street Hill Climb

Barney’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.)

QuickTime:

Windows Media Player:

REGISTER ONLINE

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):

Major Taylor books & posters:

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

Printer-friendly event flier:

Hill profile:

Map:

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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