Celebrating Black History Month and the Cyclists who Paved the Way
This #BlackHistoryMonth we’re honoring the Black cycling trailblazers who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. With DEI efforts being challenged and diverse voices being silenced by the new administration, uplifting and telling these stories is crucial. Read on to learn more about these incredible people, their work, and their lasting impact.
The Buffalo Soldiers - 1896
The Buffalo Soldiers were one of four regiments of Black soldiers enacted by Congress in 1866. The Buffalo Soldiers were the first troops to try bicycles in military operations. In the summer of 1896, a small group rode bikes loaded with gear on an initial 126 mile round trip test run. That first trip was followed by a 23-day, 800 mile ride from Fort Missoula to Yellowstone National Park and back. The next summer, the Buffalo Soldiers rode from Fort Missoula to St. Louis, nearly 1900 miles.
Eric Cedeno, known as @thebicyclenomad on social media, retraced the Buffalo Soldiers journey on a solo ride in the summer of 2023. Encountering both scorching heat and challenging terrain, Eric’s journey helped elevate and remember the incredible feat of strength of the Buffalo Soldiers. Read more about Eric’s journey here.
Katherine “Kitty” Knox - 1895
Kitty Knox was born in 1874 to a free black father and a white mother. Living in Boston, Knox became enamored with the cycling craze of the 1890s and quickly gained prominence as an accomplished bike racer. She was notable for a number of reasons, including her insistence on using a bicycle marketing for men only and wearing baggy trousers (of her own design), instead of the long skirts women were expected to wear.
Kitty Knox was an active member of the League of American Wheelmen (now known as the League of American Bicyclists). In 1894, the League barred African-Americans from membership. Rather than accepting the restriction, Knox challenged the ban head-on at the league’s annual meeting in Ashbury Park, New Jersey. While ultimately met with revocation of her membership, her resistance did not go unnoticed, with mentions in many newspapers at the time.
Kitty’s passion for bicycling, even in the face of adversity reminds us that resistance is important, and to speak up for what we believe in.
Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor
Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor was born in 1878 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Overcoming racial prejudice throughout his career, Taylor broke seven cycling world records and won a world championship. Hardships he encountered included being banned from competing due to his race, and competitors trying to injure him while racing.
Taylor’s long list of accomplishments including racing professionally in America, France, and Australia. He would eventually come to be known as the World’s Fastest Man. Major Taylor retired in 1910, citing exhaustion as well as the “physical and mental strain caused by the racial prejudice he experienced.” Nearly 20 years after his retirement, Taylor wrote and self-published his autobiography, The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World: The Story of a Colored Boy's Indomitable Courage and Success Against Great Odds: An Autobiography (1928).
Today, Major Taylor’s legacy lives on through numerous cycling clubs bearing his name, a velodrome named after him in Indianapolis, posthumous induction into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, and the USA Cycling Korbel Lifetime Achievement Award. Major Taylor's impact is also felt through numerous cycling clubs named after him. Read more about his incredible life and achievements here.
Jerry M. Certain - 1899
The first patent for cycling panniers was filed by Black inventor, Jerry M. Certain in 1899. His design included a pair of baskets mounted on the front fork, and a pair of baskets mounted over the rear wheel. Much of his original design is still seen today in luggage carrying options on bicycles.
Leolya Nelson, Velma Jackson, Ethyl Miller, Marylou Jackson, Constance White - 1928
In 1928, five young Black women set out to ride from NYC to Washington, DC in 3 days. They took on this 250 mile, publicly challenging other black cyclists to do the same. Their ride became Inspiration for the 1928 Legacy Tour, a modern-day ride put on by Major Knox Adventures that honors the legacy and spirit of the original ride.
Nelson Vails - 1984
Nelson Vails was the first African American and first person of African descent to win an Olympic medal in cycling. His impressive career includes 1st place at the Pan American Games, four National Track Championships, and an induction into the US Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2009.
Monica Garrison - 2013
Monica Garrison founded Black Girls Do Bike in 2013, after noticing there were few spaces for women of color to come together and ride bikes. Her vision has led to a global movement, with over 100 chapters of Black Girls Do Bike in operation today. BGDB mission is to increase the representation of Black women in cycling. Their activities include frequent rides and meetups, mentorship programs, skill sharing opportunities, and networking for women of color. Learn more about Black Girls Do Bike at their website.
Ayesha McGowan - 2021
Ayesha McGowan (she/they) is the first African-American woman pro road cyclist, ever. McGowan raced professionally in the UCI women’s world tour for Liv Racing TeqFind in Europe for three years. She is the founder of Do Better Together, a virtual fitness community dedicated to achieving their fitness and mental health goals. Learn more about Ayesha’s work at aquickbrownfox.com
