When most people think of fast cyclists, Lance Armstrong is always the first name that comes to mind. Let's go back over a hundred years and get a history lesson on "The Fastest Bicycle Rider in The World". Hailing from Indiana, Marshall Taylor faced many barriers as an African American athlete and trekked through them all until he retired at age 32. He apparently received his nickname "Major" after being employed as a stunt rider outside a bike shop in military attire. Though "Scenesters" may not recognize the parallel here between Major, grip-less handlebars, hamster gears, cadet caps and fixed gears, to the idea of trick riding at the local hang out or city squares...
I'm pretty sure it's as solid as their new set of neon Deep V's.
Here's a preview PDF of the $200 Autobiography: http://www.nla.gov.au/pub/nlanews/2007/feb07/story-4.pdf
More on Major via Wikipedia here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Taylor
I will leave you with a positive quote from the man himself.
"It is my thought that clean living and a strict observance of the golden rule of true sportsmanship are foundation stones without which a championship structure cannot be built." -Marshall "Major" Taylor
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