BLACK ATHLETE, A WHITE ERA, AND THE FIGHT TO BE THE WORLD'S FASTEST HUMAN BEING: Marshall Taylor, born in Indianapolis in 1878, would by the turn of the century be among the most celebrated athletes in the world.

Track cycle racing was then the epitome of human-powered speed. In one stunt or another, a man on a two-wheeler could move faster than a horse, faster than a train, faster than any motorized vehicle on
the planet. And Taylor, who became known as Major Taylor, was reputedly faster than them all. He traveled the world so tens of thousands of spectators could watch him demonstrate the amazing "kick" that powered him past his competitors to so many victories. He was an African-American success story.

More on Major Taylor: The more I learn about some of Major Taylor’s achievements the more in awe I
am at what must have been a remarkably gifted cyclist. The measure of his speed and stamina was evident when he entered his first professional race in Madison Square Garden. It was only a half mile race, but he managed to lap the field. Consider the extent of this feat which is almost the equivalent of lapping the field in a 1500m. “Simply Remarkable!”