08 Jul A Brief History of Black Cycling
In the run-up to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, I suddenly find myself thinking about the international cycling scene. Forty years ago, I bought my first new racing bike, a Raleigh Super Course, inspired in 1984 by the silver medal finish of Nelson Vails at the games in Los Angeles. As the first Black American to podium in Olympic cycling, Vails was a personal hero and I peddled that bike through a modest career in several triathlon races from the mid 80s into the early 90s. Though today I seldom pay attention to the progress of professional cyclists, an aspiring athlete has once again piqued my interest. On July 1st, Biniam Girmay of Eretria became the first Black African to win a stage of the Tour de France.
As reported in Cycling News, Girmay made history by winning the 3rd sprint stage of the Tour from Plaisance to the Italian city of Turin. The video that details his victory reveals an exciting display of athletic performance and ferocious tenacity as he powers his way through the pack to clinch the finish line. In a sport whose most accomplished riders are predominantly white, this achievement marks an important moment in time. Despite those who will undoubtedly insist that the race or ethnicity of a competitor are immaterial, I believe that we must acknowledge milestones, like this one. It is these moments that mark our progress toward a future in which athletic achievement can be exclusively a product of one’s physical abilities and no longer influenced by the racial disparities of the past.
Much of my reporting over the past two decades has focused on alpine sports such as rock climbing and high-altitude mountaineering. On July 9th we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first Black climber, Charles Madison Crenchaw, to reach the summit of Denali, the highest peak in North America in 1964. But throughout my life I have had a fondness for the sport of cycling, and as a public historian, I cherish the contributions of the earliest devotees of bicycle culture who happen to be people of African descent.
Not long after John Boyd Dunlop began producing pneumatic bicycle tires in 1888, Black athletes began distinguishing themselves as avid cyclists. One of the earliest significant chapters in Black cycling history involves the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, an all-Black regiment of the U.S. Army station at Fort Missoula, Montana. From 1896 to 1897, under the leadership of Lieutenant James A. Moss, the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps undertook an ambitious project to test the practicality of bicycles for military purposes.
In July of 1897, the Corps embarked on a grueling 1,900-mile ride from Missoula to St. Louis, Missouri. The journey aimed to assess the bicycle as a mode of transportation for troops as an alternative to the horse. Despite facing harsh weather, rough terrain, and other challenging conditions, the soldiers demonstrated remarkable endurance and resilience. The success of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps showcased the potential for bicycles in military logistics and highlighted the capabilities of Black American soldiers at a time when racial segregation and discrimination were rampant.
In the civilian world, at the turn of the twentieth century, Marshall “Major” Taylor (1878-1932) remains the most celebrated figure in Black cycling history and one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Taylor was born in Indianapolis and began his cycling career in the late 1890s. Despite facing severe racism and hostility, he quickly rose to prominence due to his exceptional speed and competitive spirit. In 1899, Taylor won the 1-mile sprint event at the UCI Track Cycling World Championship, becoming the first Black American to achieve this feat. He set numerous world records throughout his career and competed internationally across Europe, where he often received a warmer reception than in the United States. Taylor’s career was marked by constant racial discrimination, including physical threats and exclusion from certain races. Nevertheless, his perseverance and success paved the way for future generations of Black cyclists.
Though racial discrimination through the Jim Crow era sharply limited opportunities for people of color in professional sports, Black cyclists from the Caribbean competed in the Olympics. In 1948 Compton Aloysius Gonsalves of Trinidad raced in the time trails for the games in London. At Helsinki in 1952 Ken Farnum rode for Jamaica. Clyde Rimple of Trinidad qualified for the Rome games in 1960. It was at Rome when Herbie Francis, became the first Black American Olympic cyclist to ride for the United States. Oliver “Butch” Martin would go on to compete in the 1964 games in Tokyo and at Mexico City in 1968.
Almost 20 years later, Nelson “The Cheetah” Vails, born in 1960, became one of the most prominent Black cyclists in the latter part of the 20th century. Vails made history at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics by winning a silver medal in the sprint event, becoming the first Black American cyclist to win an Olympic medal. Vails’ success brought significant visibility to Black cyclists in America. He used his platform to inspire young athletes and advocate for greater diversity in cycling.
Among those whom Nelson may have inspired is Rahsaan Bahati. Born in 1982 in Los Angeles, Bahati became a prominent cyclist who has won multiple national championships. In 2010, he established the Bahati Foundation to support inner-city youth through cycling, education, and music. Today his organization elevates his commitment to giving back to the community and promoting diversity in the sport.
Another contemporary trailblazer in Black cycling is Ayesha McGowan. Born in 1987, she is widely recognized as the first Black American female professional road cyclist. She began her cycling career as an adult and quickly rose through the ranks, competing at the highest levels of the sport. Beyond her competitive achievements, McGowan is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in cycling. She founded A Quick Brown Fox, an initiative which aims to increase representation and opportunities for marginalized groups in the sport. McGowan’s work focuses on community engagement, mentorship, and creating pathways for future cyclists of color.
The efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in cycling have gained momentum in recent years, with several organizations and initiatives contributing to the cause. A new book titled Black Cyclists: The Race for Inclusion, by Robert J Turpin, helps to put into historical context the importance of Biniam Girmay’s stage wins at the Tour de France. A professor of history at Lees-McRae College in North Carolina, Turpin showcases the historic figures who can inspire the next generation of athletes and enthusiasts.
“All these Black cyclists, I argue, were activists,” Turpin says in a recent article in the Guardian by Rich Tenorio. “They were doing something that … no one [else] seemed to be doing. All these people were making a statement.”
Despite the long history of Black people in the sport of cycling, it’s disappointing to see so few in competition today. Girmay’s success in the Tour De France at Turpin and again in stage 8 from Semur-En-Auxois to Colombey Les-Deux-Églises can be a great inspiration to emerging Black riders who dream of taking the Yellow Jersey and winning the whole thing. But where are they?
To the best of my research there hasn’t been a Black American cyclist to medal in the Olympics since Nelson Vails took silver in 1984. That was 40 years ago! Organizations like the National Brotherhood of Cyclists and Ride For Racial Justice are doing an amazing job of creating group rides and events to support the enthusiasm of emerging Black cyclists. As we celebrate the proud heritage of past achievements, we must inspire the young athletes who will come next and carry this legacy forward. It will be from among those we encourage today that we will see the great riders of tomorrow.
Banner Image: Intermarche – Wanty team’s Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay wearing the sprinter’s green jersey (C) cycles past the finish line to win the 8th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 183,5 km between Semur-en-Auxois and Colombey-les-deux-Eglises, on July 6, 2024. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)